Far too often we think we need fancy equipment and an expensive gym membership to get fit, lose weight and feel great.  The truth is that exercise has been around since long before your local gym set up for business.  Your home has everything you need to get fit, lose weight and get healthy, without buying a single piece of equipment.

Here are the top 5 exercises you can do at home, or in your yard or local park to get fit , lose weight and feel great without a single piece of equipment.

Stair Climb - walking or running stairs is one of the best exercises.  Most cardio workout equipment is designed to mimic stairs - think climber machines, elliptical machines and uphill climbs on a treadmill.  Why pay thousands of dollars to buy a machine that mimics the stairs you already have?  Start at a modest pace and try to go up and down a few extra times a day.  Slowly add extra stair climbs to your daily routine and before you know it your legs, but and thighs will be slim and strong.

Walking - By and far walking is the single best exercise you can do.  Walking involves all the muscles of the body and works the heart and lungs at the same time, and this is the primary reason that treadmills are the number one selling piece of exercise equipment.    Summer or winter, you don’t need a treadmill to walk, just get outside, go to the mall, or drive to your favorite park.  The best way to use walking as a weight loss and fitness building exercise is to work on your endurance.  Start out at a moderate pace and a distance you feel comfortable with and slowly add time and distance to your walk.

Jogging - A brisk jog is a great way to lose weight and get your heart and lungs pumping.  Start with a walk and slowly build to a jog.  Introduce a moderate jog into your daily walks and pump the intensity as you go.

Dancing - Not only is dancing fun, it burns calories and works your heart and lungs.  Not a fan of jogging?  No problem.  Blast your favorite tunes and just move.  Sweat up a storm to your play list in your living room, or hit your favorite club and get a workout in.

Swimming - If you are lucky enough to have pool or access to one, get off the floaty and move to stay afloat.  Swimming is the single highest calorie burning activity.  Just a few minutes in the pool will get your heart and lungs pumping and slim your waistline.