Jen Hughes experienced sticker shock when purchasing her on-campus fitness membership in August, enough so to consider skipping the gym altogether.

"The price of membership keeps going up every year," Hughes (senior-political science) said. "I wish there were other alternatives to going to the gym or running down College Avenue to keep fit."

For Hughes and other students unwilling to fork over the cash for gym memberships, there are several cheap the freshman -- or even senior -- 15 from piling on.

Exercise Ball

Jordan Russo, a certified personal trainer, recommends using an exercise ball (ProSpirit fitness ball, $11.88, Target) for exercising in the dorms.

"The ball takes up minimal space and can be deflated if you live in East and are seriously lacking storage space," Russo (junior-kinesiology) said. "Plus there are a number of different exercises to do on it to work out anywhere from your arms to your abs."

One exercise Russo said "works like a charm" is doing sit-ups or crunches on the ball.

Russo said to sit with your knees at a 90-degree angle and your butt on the edge of the ball. Next, lower your body so your back is slightly arched over the ball and then sit up. Do one set of 20, or as many as you feel comfortable doing, and repeat three times.

Exercise Bands

"If someone really just wanted to work out in their room and skip the gym completely, I would tell them to use Thera-Bands ($13.54 to $35.57, Amazon.com)," said Chris Merritt, a certified personal trainer. "They are an underrated piece of equipment. You can do just about any strength training exercise you could do with weights in the gym, with the bands."

Merritt (senior-kinesiology) recommends doing tricep extensions with the bands.

Merritt said to stand on the band and pick up the ends. Next, position your hand behind your neck with your elbow facing upward. Extend your arm until it is straight, return your arm to the starting position and repeat with the opposite arm.

Merritt said to grab different points on the bands for different levels of resistance.

Body Weight

"Even though they have been around forever, the best workout you can do would include pull-ups, push-ups and crunches," Merritt said. "The most inexpensive and one of the best workouts you can get is with your own body weight."

Justin Davis (senior-kinesiology) agreed. He said students with minimal time and money can get a "stellar workout" right in front of the TV.

Davis suggested working out the shoulders by doing lateral raises with water bottles.

Davis said to take two large, full water bottles and, keeping your elbows slightly bent, lift your arms out to the sides, to shoulder level, lower and repeat between 20 and 30 times.