Lloyd, best thing for that I ever found was when I got my first setter I resolved I was going to walk her for an hour a day, off leash somewhere. Made it a priority, not an occasional thing. And by that I mean my ex or I (or often together) walked the dogs every single day for about 14 years, until they both had died. Found a park near where we lived in Toronto, 130 acres in a ravine. Good trails and lots of up and down. A brisk hour long walk, up and down hillsides, is a pretty good workout.
Did the same with my next two dogs (and then I had a young boy to bring along). Now I just have one dog left. She is nine and our living circumstances have changed....living on 4 fenced acres. I still take her out several times a week. Gym is good if you can stick to it but I like something outdoors better. In time you become addicted to it. My dog walks became, for a very long time, the highlight of my day.
