One of the biggest misconceptions today is that if you want to look good, you need to have an expensive gym membership. The thing is, fitness is a lifestyle and is really available to all people regardless of social or economic status. You can get fit at home doing some very basic exercises/activities. Here are three ways you can burn some extra calories and get toned while in the comfort of your own home!

(In 15 minutes, a 140-lbs. individual will burn 190 calories.)

One way to get fit at home without using any fancy equipment is skipping. First off, get yourself a rope and find a non-carpeted area, like a garage or driveway. Keep your pace slow to start until you get the hang of it (if you are not a regular skipper) and speed up once you feel more confident. Break when you need to, and then record your total time skipping so you can keep track of your progress. The goal here is to pace yourself and try to skip continuously for as long as possible.

(In 15 minutes, a 140-lbs. individual will burn 103 calories.)

When you’re at home, there is nothing like some good old-fashioned TV to help the time go by. But when you are looking to make some changes to your body, you need to improvise. This makes for the perfect opportunity to use an exercise video. Exercise videos are widespread and available online, on DVD or on TV. Do your best to follow along and try to finish the entire workout. Being consistent with your activity is the key to your success, so a good goal would be to complete at least three home workout videos per week for optimal results. This is one of the best ways to get fit at home.

(In 15 minutes, a 140-lbs. individual will burn 45 calories.)

One of the best kept secrets for burning some extra calories at home is housekeeping. As you know, cleaning your house from top to bottom takes time and energy. Your body is working at a low-to-moderate pace but consistently over an extended period of time. This is the perfect recipe for a great cardiovascular workout. At the end of the day, you will not only have a clean house, but a lean body too! Now you can get fit at home and have a nice, clean home in the process!