Working out from home can save you time and money. You don’t have to pay for a gym membership or spend time driving, when you could be exercising.
It doesn’t take a lot of space or complicated equipment to get a great workout. Just pick an area at least 5 feet x 5 feet so that you have enough room to do a stationary lunge or a pushup without running into anything. It can be in your living room, bonus room, or even your kitchen. A lot of the exercise equipment suggested here could be stored in a closet when not in use.
Here are my equipment suggestions if you are just getting started:
If you have $100 or less to spend consider:
1. Stability Ball $20 – Many people have these in their homes already, but are just unsure of how to use them. They are great for abdominal and other core exercises. Just about any exercise you would do on a bench could be modified for the ball.
2. Yoga or Exercise Mat $20 – This is a must for floor exercises, especially if you are working out on a hard surface. You will need a mat for abdominal and other bodyweight exercises as well as stretching. My favorite mat is extra thick and comes with a carrying strap from Walmart.
3. Resistance Bands $40 – The best bands are tubular and come in a pack of three, along with a door attachment and detachable handles so that you can adjust the resistance. Resistance bands are perfect for people who travel because they are light weight and fit in a suitcase or bag.
If you have $500 or less to spend, consider the above options and add:
1. Weight Bench $150-$250 – look for a sturdy bench, preferably with adjustability for incline and decline weight exercises.
2. Adjustable Weight Set $60-$100 for women, $100-$200 for men at Target or Walmart – These work well for home gyms because they give you a range of weights and take up very little space. Go ahead and get a set of two dumbbells.
3. Bosu Trainer $100-$120 – I love this tool! The Bosu is a stability ball cut in half, with a flat base that you can use on either side. It is great for balance work, making ordinary exercises harder, and adding cardio to your circuit training.
A stability ball can be used for a wide variety of exercises
All of these items can be purchased at Walmart, Target, or Dick’s Sporting Goods. You may also want to compare prices online. Just be sure to factor in shipping to the total cost.
If you are usure about how to use your new equipment or what exercises are best for you, you may want to consider hiring a personal trainer to show you. Your trainer can get you set up on a safe and effective program designed just for your needs.