Get in shape, on the cheap

Exercise at home: Rob Shapiro, founder of local personal training and fitness franchise BodyScapes Fitness and One2One BodyScapes, recommends investing in a good quality exercise ball, which should cost about $50. Shapiro’s suggested regime: “Lean against a wall with the exercise ball positioned at your lower back, separating you and the wall. Slowly squat (you can do this as you watch TV!) to work your lower back.’’ Other at-home routines recommended by Shapiro: Do free-standing squats with a kitchen or dining room chair behind you. That way, if you lower yourself too low, this will protect you and simulate a better squat. Do three sets of 10 to 12 push-ups on your family room or bedroom floor. Put hands wide apart to work your chest and back and then close together to work your chest and triceps.

Hit up health insurers: Many health insurance companies offer consumers a reimbursement for a portion of their health club membership dues. Harvard Pilgrim, for example, gives up to $150 per calendar year. Check with your provider for details and restrictions.

Check out community centers: Many cities and towns have workout rooms and indoor tracks at community centers. Some of Boston’s community centers only cost $25 plus a small additional fee to use the pool or exercise rooms at certain facilities. These centers may feature older equipment and less selection than a typical gym, but the savings can be huge.

Scale back on personal trainers: Hire a personal trainer for 30 minutes, instead of a full hour. Do your warm-up cardio on your own before the start of the training session to allow for more time for the actual weight training. Investing in a package of sessions instead on individual ones will almost always save you some cash.

Wii workouts: Video games may conjure up visions of plump couch potatoes, but Nintendo’s Wii Fit is a game changer. For about $100, Wii Fit is packed with exercises, balance games, and tools to personalize your exercise routine from the comfort of your own home. The Wii console will cost you another $200, unless you can wrestle it away from your kids.

Surf for savings: Websites like PromotionalCodes.com and CouponWinner.com offer thousands of promotional codes for discounts on diet and weight loss programs, fitness equipment, financial services, educational products, and more. Click on the New Year Resolution link on the home page for products and services, including a free 7-day trial membership at Bally’s Total Fitness.

Jenn Abelson can be reached at abelson@globe.com.