GET FIT IN '09

Your 2009 budget doesn't include a pricey gym membership, and now your workout is suffering. Here's a way to get motivated again: Find the right equipment and exercise DVDs, clear a corner, and voilayou have your own private mini-gym. The best part? No waiting for a machine or feeling cramped in an overcrowded class. Read on, and follow these tips for outfitting your own at-home fitness space. Now, there's no excuse!

FIGURE IT OUT:
The first step to setting up your fitness space is to decide where in your home you'll be working out. The space should be at least 5 x 6, room enough to do mat exercises. Then, hone in on what type of workout is best for you. For instance, love yoga? Look for a yoga starter kit, that has all the equipment you'll need. Want to do cardio? A treadmill or cross-trainer is a wise investment if you'll be using it a lot. Love classes? A workout DVD will mix up your routine and help you target trouble spots.

STOCK UP:
A few crucial pieces can turn an ordinary space into a gym, says Desi Bartlett, fitness expert and creator of DVD workouts such as 3-in-1 Total Body Fitness. She recommends: two sets of dumbbells , in different weights, like 2 lbs and 5 lbs for toning up arms, chest and back; a cushy mat for floor exercises; an exercise ball for core work; and a collection of DVDs such as dance, yoga or toning to vary your workout day by day.

JUST DO IT:
Nervous about dropping the ball and giving up your fitness routine? "When you feel the urge to scrap a workout, reframe your thoughts to 'This is my time for my body to get stronger, leaner and more flexible,'" says Bartlett. Dedicate a time every day that works for your schedule, and tell your family that this is your time for working out. "You can also have a friend join you during a DVD workout. That makes it more fun and motivating," she adds. If you've got a machine and need inspiration to keep going, wear a heart rate monitor; the alert system tells you when you're training zone so that you burn maximum calories. It's the perfect incentive to help you push through.