Forget the Fancy Stuff
The first place I like simplicity is in my home gym. As a gadget freak, it's hard to resist all those shiny new devices and the excitement of doing something new. But, what I've learned is that complicated equipment does not make exercise any easier. Learn from my mistakes and keep your home gym simple. Buy things that have a variety of uses and that don't take up too much space. Try some of these ideas:
Of every piece of equipment I own, my favorite is consistently the exercise ball. You can find exercise balls at sporting goods stores, discount department stores or online, just make sure you get the right size for your height:
55 cm - 4'11" - 5'4"
65 cm - 5'5" - 5'11"
75 cm - 6'0" - 6' 7"
Don't forget, you can also use an exercise ball as an office chair, perfect for strengthening the core while helping with your posture.
A heart rate monitor is a great way to get to know your body and make sure you're working in your target heart rate zone. This will make your workouts both more comfortable and more efficient. You can find inexpensive heart rate monitors at discount department stores, but higher quality monitors will cost anywhere from $50 to $200 and up.
Whether you like home videos or not, it's a great idea to have a stockpile available for short workouts or when you need variety.
Basic Dumbbells
A simple home gym should include at least a few sets of weights, if that's in your budget. If you're a beginner, you might start with 3-10 lbs for women and 5-15 lbs for men, adding on as you get stronger and learn more about lifting weights. You can find inexpensive weights at discount department stores and don't forget to check at local garage sales as well, since many people get rid of unused fitness equipment regularly.
Barbell Set
A simple barbell set (a 10-15 lb bar with various weighted plates) can go a long way in adding variety to your workouts while allowing you to lift heavier weights. I got my set at a sporting goods store for around $80--well worth the money. These days, you can find all kinds of barbell sets at Walmart, Target and Play It Again Sports. You might want to check out BodyTrends for more options. Barbells are great for total body training.
Resistance bands are perfect for a home gym and for travel workouts. They're inexpensive, usually around $5-$20, they don't take up much space and you can do a variety of upper and lower body exercises with them.
The BOSU Balance Trainer is an optional piece of equipment and one you may want to wait on if you're just starting out with exercise. If you're a pro, however, you'll love the variety of balance, strength training, cardio and core exercises you can do. It also adds an element of fun you don't find with other workouts. It's a bit pricey, around $99 at most sporting goods stores, but it's worth it if you're looking for something new.
Having some basic equipment available is one way to keep things simple, yet effective. Now, you can learn more about creating simple cardio and strength training workouts.
Next Page: Simple Cardio & Strength Training Workouts
