Health club memberships are nice, but pricey. If you have children you may have to pay extra for child care. You also have to factor in the time spent bundling up kids and driving to and from the Gym. On the other hand, you will have access to a variety of high quality equipment, trainers or fitness coaches and gym buddies. You may also find it motivating to know that you have to pay regardless if you go, so you better get your moneys worth.
A less expensive alternative is creating a home gym. One of the benefits of doing your workouts at home is convenience. Everything you need is right there, it's open 24 Hours and any ratty old sweats and T will do. I'm a little bit of a germ-a-phobe (and I have seen and smelled some pretty disgusting things at the gym) so another bonus to being at home is cleanliness. Childcare is also optional. Fitting in a workout during nap time can work.
If you have some extra space that you can deliniate spacifically for your workout area, that is optimal, but not imperative. You are going to want to have some equipment though to keep your workouts interesting and to challenge yourself. It is nice to have a space for at least a treadmill or elliptical. Some varieties of treadmills easily fold up. That might be a good option if you are tight on space. You can also utilize stairs if your house of apartment has them. Check craigslist for used equipment if you want to get a good deal. It's amazing how many people pay top dollar for equipment and never use it. It is helpful if you can try out different kinds before purchasing to see what you like.
Treadmills vary in price and quality. You may be able to get away with a less expensive model of you only plan to walk on it, but if you are a runner you are going to want something more solid. You can also spend more for gadgets like heart rate monitors and programs etc. Some of the brands I like are Precore--top of the line, Startrack and True--that's what I have. I'm sure there are others. You need to do your research and try some out to see how they feel.
Ellipticals also vary quite a bit. You want a model that is comfortable and does not put pressure on your knees. Your heals should stay on the pedals throughout the revolution, and your knees should stay in proper alignment (not bending past your toes or splaying out to the side). The Precore is the only one that I know of that has an adjustable incline. I have an Octane and it's awesome.
You will also want some dumbbells. Three pairs is all you will need to start. The least expensive weights are the plain metal ones. You can find them at Walmart. They sell for about a dollar per pound or less. For newbes, a set of 5's, 8's and 10's is a good place to start. You can always add on as you get stronger.
An exercise mat is helpful, but if you have carpet you might be able to get away with just a towel.
An exercise ball is a good investment. They are inexpensive and versatile. They can double as a weight bench and are a great way to add challenge to pushups and planks. They make a great desk chair too. Bonus! They are sold in different sizes based on height.
under 4’10″ 16″ or 42cm
4’11″ – 5’4″ 21″ or 55cm
5’5″ – 5’11′ 25″ or 65cm
6′ and taller 29″ or 75cm
These few simple things can get you started on your path to fitness. I will be adding some posts with some home workouts to get you started as well as some tips for staying motivated and making time for workouts.
In Health,
Charity
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