Best Exercise Equipment For Home Gyms

Staying fit and healthy is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Not only does it make you feel and look better, it can lead to a longer life! Some people like to work out at the gym, others only exercise through recreational activities, while some prefer to sweat in the comforts of their own abode.

Not only do you not have to drive anywhere, there is a convenient non-public shower available for you when finished!

There is no denying that exercise can be expensive, especially when equipment is involved, but there are amazing ways to get the heart rate going while saving some pocket change, if you are so inclined.

Best Exercise Equipment For The Home 

Jump Ropes

One of the cheapest things to buy is a jump rope (less than $10). It gets the heart rate going quickly and can be found in almost any store that sells exercise products. It’s a great work out for the legs and can be quite challenging, depending upon how far you want to push yourself. Plus, it brings about childhood nostalgia, and it's a lot of fun!

Resistance Bands

Along the lines of jump ropes are resistance bands. They are extremely versatile and can be used to work out many different areas of the body. They provide a low-impact workout, and are very small and light, therefore making them easy to store. Though resistance bands have been seen stereotypically as a work out for middle-aged ladies, they have become an integral part of professional body building due to their ability to target many different muscle areas. These bands can range anywhere from $10 to $50.


Exercise Balls

A piece that is not quite as easy to store is the fitness/exercise ball. Inflated and made of sturdy, puncture-proof elastic, these balls are used for weight training or physical therapy. Just sitting on them have been known to be a great work out for the abs (more fun than an office chair!). Some people enjoy using them so they simply do not have to sit on the hard ground while performing an exercise; others use them to add some muscle strengthening, or balance conditioning. Fitness balls come in many different diameters and run the gamut from $12 to $60 depending upon how much pressure or pounds they can support.

Free Weights

Another great item to have on hand is a set of free weights. Many different exercises can be performed using them, including curls, squats, dead lifts, and lunges, all which trigger different muscle groups. If you are willing to be very patient and super thrifty, these can usually be found in garage sales or second hand stores for very inexpensive prices. Otherwise, you can find dumbells at discount stores for $20 and up.

Kettlebells

Kettlebells are great for building strength and endurance. Originally of Russian invention and usually made of cast iron, kettlebells have the look of a cannon ball with a handle on top. They come in many different weights and are normally used to build the legs, arms, shoulders and lower back. Prices of these can be anywhere from $30 to $70 depending upon the style and weight desired.

Treadmills

For those looking to invest in a larger piece of equipment, there are many different large pieces that are extremely useful as well as popular. The most popular and obvious choice would be a home treadmill.

A staple in gyms across the nation, you can run, walk, trot, strut, and stroll at your own desired pace without having to bother about the weather. It works up a great sweat and many of the machines will keep track of your distance traveled, calories burned, heart rate, etc.

The cost of a treadmill can run anywhere between $250 and $3,000 but they should last for many years, and can provide a great workout in a home gym, and you can use them while watching TV or even catching up  on your reading.

Final Thoughts

There are many more options available for working out at home, including elliptical triners, exercise bikes, ab trainers, steppers and much more. Consider the space you have at home, your goals and fitness and your budget when shopping.

Try These Fun Fitness Ideas

It is not vital to enroll at a local gym or build a home gym to improve your health and fitness. There are a lot of fun ways to get in a workout, that you may not have thought of, but which can help you build up cardiovascular conditioning as well as develop your muscular endurance and strength without paying expensive gym membership fees and purchasing loads of exercise equipment. Here are a few ideas to try.

Rollerblading (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1.  Choose an aerobic exercise which you like and can be done outdoors like walking, hiking, running, soccer, tennis, or inline skating. These types of exercise work many different muscle groups in a natural way, and can improve cardiovascular capacity, strength, flexibility, and balance.

2.   Either rent or purchase exercise videos. You can select from many various types of videos. For example, a kickboxing video, yoga workout, or step aerobics. This is less expensive compared to buying exercise machines and going to a gym. Many videos can be found for $10.00 or less, so you can test them out to find what you like without spending a bundle - and you can of course use them over and over. For best results, get a  variety of different workouts and exercise types - this way you can avoid getting bored, work different muscle groups, and switch it up between different intensities and workout durations. I have some videos I like for cardio workouts when I really want to move, and others that are more mellow, such as Pilates and Yoga, as well as short and long workouts to choose from, so I can get a workout in in whatever time I have on a particular day. (Visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/exercise.html for some of my favorites.)

3.   What about housework? Okay, maybe that's not so "fun," but it's definitely functional - get fit and get the house clean at the same time! Try mowing the lawn using a non electric push mower for a great full-body workout. You can also vacuum your carpets. If there is a snow in your pathways, then shovel it. Carrying things for household chores - e.g. your laundry basket filled with dirty clothes or handbags of groceries is also good. Even these simple household chores can give you some amount of exercise.

4.   Turn on your radio, listen to your favorite dance music (ballroom, hip hop, and more) and get your groove on. This is one of the best ways of working out your body and relieving your stress - and it's tons of fun!

5.   Organize fun outside games with your friends. These can include kickball, football, basketball, soccer, and more. You'll get a great workout without even noticing! Swimming is also a great summer activity that provides a full body workout and is a lot of fun to do with friends and family.

SpeedRope (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

6.   Skipping rope is a very inexpensive way to get in some great cardiovascular activity. 

7.   Visit local parks. Sometimes you can find fitness trails which include exercise stations. Often, exercise instructions are provided. Not only will you relieve stress and get in a good workout, but you'll get to enjoy the beautiful outdoors at the same time.

Before you start any type of workout, be sure to keep a few things in mind.

1.    Any activity must be started in gradual manner. This is important for warming up your body to adapt to the movements. It is not a one-day task to get a healthy and fit body. Be patient with your fitness regimen. 

2.    If possible, perform physical activity for about thirty minutes each day every week.

3.    Select the right equipment and clothes for your exercise. You should also consider weather conditions. Make sure that you have a backup plan in place in case the weather doesn't cooperate, and you have to move your daily exercise indoors.

4.    Encourage a friend to exercise with you. Not only will this make your routine more enjoyable, but also you will be more likely to stick to your program.

5.    Try cross training. You can alter the length and the type of your exercises to prevent boredom and injuries.

6.    Consult your doctor or health care provider before starting any form of new exercise program - especially if you're out of shape or recovering from an injury.

Visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/exercise.html for more fun ways to exercise!