While some people need the motivation of a gym instructor to get into gear, others are far more self-efficient. If you think you can keep on top of workouts from home, why not consider dedicating some space in your house for exercise?

A home gym might sound like a luxury reserved for the rich, but it can actually be done on a tight budget. With gym memberships setting people back in the region of £600 a year, it might actually be more cost effective to buy the equipment you need.

First off, you need to clear a space. If you're lucky enough to have a reasonably-sized spare room or an empty garage, this is ideal. Otherwise, see if you can rearrange furniture in the lounge or bedroom or use the garden when the weather allows/if you have one.

A major one-off cost is potential gym flooring and larger equipment. Of course you don't need to do either, but if you have a budget set aside, a treadmill, bike or cross-trainer could be a great investment. In the long run, it would probably still cost less than a gym membership.

Alternatively, you can do cardio workouts much cheaper. Run outside when possible and try some HIIT exercises, intense bursts done in intervals. Think burpees, lunges, squats and starjumps - all are completely free and keep the heart rate up. A good-quality jump rope will also become your new best friend - just 20 minutes can burn around 200 calories.

Strength training is also key to a well-rounded exercise regime. Use your bodyweight for a free option, doing sets of push-ups. You'll probably need more than that though, which is where resistance bands come in. They're cheap and easily stored and can be used for pushing and pulling exercises.

In addition to this, think about investing in some kettlebells and dumbbells, both of which may cost a bit more but will last for ages.

Don't forget to buy a slip-resistant mat for stretching and yoga. This will also come in handy when you want to work on your core with ab-exercises and planks.

If you miss the motivation of a personal trainer or instructor, don't be afraid to utilise exercise videos and apps that track your progress - both will help keep you going, making your home gym so worthwhile.

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