More of this Feature • Part 1: In the Bag

Related Resources • Do's & Don'ts for Exercise • Exercise 101 • Break Through Boredom

From Other Guides • Home Exercise Equipment • Swimming Equipment

Personal trainers are great for educating you on the proper way to exercise and for helping you stay motivated. But, if you can't afford a trainer, the next best thing is The Pocket Trainer, created by Ginny Porter and Jack Holleman.  You'll love this book since it has more than 50 exercises and stretches to help you build muscle and lose fat, and the large color photos make it easy to do each exercise correctly.

Each page of The Pocket Trainer shows a different exercise with a picture, recommended weights, sets and repetitions and variations for beginners, intermediate and advanced exercisers.  It also gives you tips for proper form and a list of comparable exercises that can be done on machines.  At the end of the book you'll find easy-to-follow training tips, sample programs and even a short, full body workout for days when you're short on time.

Best of all, The Pocket Trainer fits into your gym bag nicely, since it's only 8.5" x 5.5" and it's made of heavy duty card stock so you can sweat all over it without a care in the world.  Check it out at www.pockettrainer.com.

Quick Tips for Your Exercise Enjoyment

• Keep an extra set of everything in your gym bag (i.e., towels, underwear, workout clothes, etc.) so you know you'll never be without.  
• Keep small plastic bags in your side pocket to hold your sweaty clothes. 
• Always bring an extra lock...you never know when you might need it!
• Keep change in your bag in case you have to buy bottled water or a quick snack.
• Have batteries handy to avoid the untimely death of your walkman.
• Don't keep anything of value in your bag or in your locker.  If something gets stolen, your only worry will be buying some new workout clothes.
• Always carry a towel with you to wipe down the machines you use and, God forbid, any sweat left behind by others.

One other thing...don't forget to pack your bag the night before and, for pete's sake, clean it out every once in a while!

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