Source: Shannon Miller Lifestyle :credits-caption:

If getting fit tops your New Year's resolutions for 2013, you're not alone.

According to the 2013 Outlook Survey organized by TD Ameritrade, Inc., 42 percent of Americans are making health-related resolutions this year. That's compared to 32 percent opting for financial-oriented goals.

After a gluttonous holiday, the new year always triggers the need to be more active, eat healthier and feel better. But how to get the most from your fitness regime without breaking the bank? Consider these ideas to stay in shape and get fit for less.

1. Take Advantage

Gym rats abhor the beginning of the year when well-intentioned newbies crowd their classes and struggle with the equipment. Despite the initial claustrophobia, however, the gym floor inevitably clears within a couple months as fitness goals wane. As a committed newcomer, you should take advantage of New Year's gym deals, like reduced monthly payments and waived activation fees. Chat with salespeople at several gyms and be sure to ask for a free pass to experience the facility and classes before committing.

2. Stay Home

If dragging yourself to the gym a few times a week is enough to send you into a couch-ridden funk, skip the membership and work out at home. Rotate several DVDs to keep yourself motivated and to avoid muscle complacency. Since workout videos range anywhere from $8 to $30, download the Coupon Sherpa mobile app for in-store savings at Target, Sports Authority and more. Cable users or Netflix subscribers can also stream workout videos as part of their monthly subscription.

3. Go Online

Paying for personal training gets pricey, though good instructors are worth their, um, weight in gold for people with big fitness goals. If you're looking for basic guidance, get it for free from websites like Fitbie or Exercise TV on Hulu, or subscribe to a health magazine. After all, you can't beat $15 a year for weight-loss advice and at-home program recommendations.

4. Make it Public

I think it was Thomas Jefferson who said something about behaving as if everyone is watching. Apply this lesson to your fitness regimen and share your goals via Facebook or Twitter, letting your friends keep track of your status and offer support during the inevitable lulls. Better yet, create a Facebook group of like-minded friends to swap tips, recipes and encouragement.

5. Buddy Up on PT

If reading articles about getting in shape don't do it for you, consider going halfsies on the cost of personal training. According to SmartMoney, the majority of personal trainers offer discounts for group sessions even if they represent a gym that doesn't promote this fact. As with anything, it never hurts to ask and you may be more encouraged to attend sessions with a friend.

6. Daily Deal It

Groupon and other daily-deal sites are good for more than deeply discounted laser treatments. Health clubs compete for new business at the beginning of the year so you should have a plethora of options. Look for daily deals on discount or limited-time memberships, and feel free to play the field of gyms in your area. Doing so may give you free access to consistent workouts for a few months.

7. Buy Used

Fitness equipment can get expensive but it shouldn't be the reason you avoid exercise. Hit up discount retailers for basic fitness accessories like dumbbells, yoga mats and medicine balls for a fraction of fitness-store prices. Thrift stores are another good outlet for discount essentials, and you can always scan Craiglist for bigger equipment. Be sure to research equipment and thoroughly test and inspect used items before purchase.

8. Mobile Motivation

The best motivator for exercise is knowing how many calories you burn while pumping iron, as well as how many you avoid by eating right. Luckily, there's an app (or several) to track your progress on both counts. Consult this list of recommended fitness apps from Huffington Post or find your own fave in the iPhone and Android markets.

Kendal Perez is a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money. As the marketing coordinator for Kinoli Inc., site manager for a family of money-saving websites, Kendal has the resources to be an extreme couponer but prefers a less complicated approach to staying in-budget.