1. A recession can be tough because many people start losing their jobs and income drops for those who stay employed. This recession will be especially hard because gas prices are so high. Once of the best ways to minimize this problem is to bike instead of drive. This will help save gas and increase your physical activity. Short trips to the store or gym are perfect times to leave the car at home and exercise your way around town. Obviously, you can't use your bike for every trip, but even cutting out a few short trips each week can save a little gas.

2. Gym memberships can be expensive and probably high on your list of expenses to cut. Yes gyms have excellent equipment but you can have an effective workout by buying a few dumbbells for your home. Dumbbells aren't very expensive, especially if you only buy the weight you'll be using.

3. If you can't afford dumbbells, body weight exercises are also a great way to strength train. Push ups, pull ups, sit ups, leg raises, lunges, squats and good mornings will give you a nice full body workout. You can also use household items such as buckets filled with water, broom sticks and textbooks for extra weight. With these common items, you can do bicep curls, tricep extensions, overhead shoulder presses and a lot more exercises that you're used to doing at the gym with actual weights. Don't be afraid to get creative.

4. If you only use your gym for cardio, get outside and enjoy nature. Run the trails, bike around the neighborhood and take some laps around your local community pool or even the beach. You might even find that these real world exercises are a lot more fun and effective than being stuck in a dark gym watching TV or listening to the same songs over and over again.

5. Playing most sports are free or very cheap and happen to be excellent workouts. Basketball, tennis, racquetball, ultimate frisbee and soccer are all great forms of exercise and cost much less than a gym membership.

For more information on good workouts, visit the Beginner's Guide to Exercise. You can also check out the exercise forums to see how others stay in shape during a recession.

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