Getting in shape doesn't have to hurt your wallet. Check out the following fitness trends to see how you can increase your fitness levels without spending big.

Bodyweight Training

By using your own body weight as resistance, you can easily get in a sweat-inducing workout right at home. Try the following exercises:

Squats: Standing with feet hip-width apart, bend your knees. Keep your back      straight and your knees behind your toes, then straighten back up.

Lateral leg raises: Lay on your side and lift your top leg while keeping your hips straight.

Tuck jumps: Keeping your feet apart and chest up, squat down and fling your arms up when jumping. Tuck your legs into your chest and land softly.

Push-ups: Lay on the floor and plant your hands under your shoulders. Keeping  your body straight and your elbows at a 45-degree angle, lift yourself up. 

When doing exercises like these, be sure to get in three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions each.

Functional Fitness

Functional fitness is a little different than bodyweight training, as it helps you specifically train muscles you use in your everyday life. Add the following exercises to your routine to improve your daily mobility:

Lunges with rotation: With feet shoulder-width apart, step one foot forward and bend until the back knee taps the ground. Concurrently, rotate your upper body to the side. 

Hip openers:  Come to a lunge and place your back knee on the ground. Shift your front foot off to the side and lean forward.

Single leg dumbbell rows: Kick one leg behind you and hold it parallel to the ground. Lean forward until your upper body is also parallel, hang the      dumbbell below you, and then pull it into your chest.

Kettlebell swing: Sink into a slight squat with the kettlebell hanging between your legs. As you start to swing the kettlebell up, straighten your legs and drive your hips forward. 

Create a workout plan with these exercises and give yourself just a few seconds between each one to really see the benefits.

DIY Equipment

So what happens when you get strong enough that your own body weight isn't cutting it anymore? Use some DIY weights to make things a little tougher:

Sandbags: Fill an old duffel bag with sand or kitty litter.

Kettlebell: Take an old basketball, fill it with concrete, and attach a sand-filled      PVC pipe as a handle.

Dumbbells: Grab soup cans, water bottles, or paint cans. 

Skip the pricey gym and try these fun and low-cost fitness trends instead. Your body (and bank account) will thank you. 

*The information contained in this article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care professional before starting a new exercise routine to be sure you are healthy enough to do so.