So, you want to start working out but fear the gym. No problem, start working out at home. You can always enlist a friend to join you if the thought of doing it alone bores you. You'll save money and calories by replacing your girls night out with a workout instead. By summer you'll see a significant change in your body and a boost in self confidence. If that's not motivating enough, think of all the gas money you'll save. When you see the first sign of your biceps popping we'll revisit the idea of a gym but for now, let's go shopping.
Setting up a small home gym can be fun and can be done very easily with little cost. After all, you're just starting out so we're going shopping for the basics right now.
Yoga mat
You'll definitely need one. Let's save our knees and elbows! By using a yoga mat you'll convert your hard wood floors or spare room carpet to a non-skid, cushioned work out area. It's a must have for various exercises, such as bent knee push-ups, bicep and core floor work.
Dumbbells
The secret to burning fat is to build more muscle. Visit your local sporting goods store and ask the staff for some advice on weights suitable for your strength level. Each of us will have different tolerance at the beginning so to say start with 5 or 8 pounds is not acceptable advice. Grab a set in the store and do a couple of bicep curls, see how you feel. If you can complete an entire set easily move up to a heavier weight. It should be a challenge but you should be able to keep good form and of course not hurt yourself. Buy a couple of different sets of dumbbells with varying weights. You'll have a different strength level with each body part and exercise so you can alternate.
Medicine ball (image above)
You can use a medicine ball for so many different body parts. This is a great item to have. For example, when you're doing a crunch, hold the ball up over your head to add intensity. You can also squeeze a medicine ball between your knees while doing squats to add more inner thigh work. You can toss the ball (carefullly please!) back and forth with a friend for upper body training.
Exercise ball
This is an incredible tool. By doing various exercises on the ball instead of the floor you increase intensity and work muscles harder since you'll be trying to keep balance and stay on that ball. For example, when doing an abdominal crunch on the ball in addition to the crunches you're also trying to keep your balance and therefore getting a harder workout, on both your abs and your legs.
Exercise bands
You may want to add some bands beside your new set of dumbbells for a more muscle isolating full body workout. It may be easier to start with bands if you are a beginner. They come in various sizes which determine their intensity.
Chair or bench
Use a chair in your home for some tricep dips or bicep extensions. As you start you may use the back of a chair to keep balance while doing lunges or squats. Don't lean on it just use the tips of your fingers to maintain balance.
Water bottle
Don't forget to drink water!
Check out these Quick Workout and Exercise Tricks from Fitness Magazine.
Remember: Don't forget to evaluate your sneakers before your start your workout. If you end up with a foot injury you'll be back on the couch, and you don't want that! Wear the right shoes to avoid injury. Are you running, weight training or both? Ask your local sporting goods store for advice on the best shoe for you.
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