Fiscal Fitness with a Quick Do-it-yourself Home Gym

I admit it. I've tried personal trainers, gyms, books, videos,etc. I'm just not made for any kind of structured exercise. Actually, the word exercise makes me cringe a bit. There are so many things I'd rather do, but, alas, I've got my solution. With just a few accessible, affordable items, I'm reshaping my body and targeting my problem areas. Here's what my modified gym looks like.

First of all, I've got a big medicine ball. I sit on it instead of using a chair, expecially when I'm in front of the computer...like now! Just using my feet to roll me forwards and back, is really helping both my back and my calves. Flexing my feet at the same time,also improves the workout. The ball has a hundred or more uses. Many suggested uses and relevant exercieses can be found on line. I especially like the fitness.com website because it has pictures as well as written explanations. It also offers readers a selection of body spots the reader may want to target.

The other item in my gym is the Ab Roller. I've had one off and on for the past twenty years and there is nothing as enjoyable and comfortable to use. Mine cost less than $20. at Walmart. It assembles in less than 5 minutes, even if screws and parts challenge you as they do me. It's truly simple to put together. It is a mindless way to do crunches and tighten abs. I'm in my fifties and that's my problem area even though I've got an average, athletic build. The Ab Roller nails it. Just rocking forward and back, slowly, holding my position mid-way does the trick. You can also roll up and down while lying on one side , then the other, to target the oblique side muscles and helping get rid of that unsightly bulge that hangs over low cut jeans.

Finally, two 5-lb weights. Just lifting them in any way I can imagine, tightens parts of my upper arms. Hold them out in front of you and don't even move them. After a few minutes, the weight will provide its own resistance work out. Trust me...you'll know what I mean after trying to hold that position for five minutes!
That's it. Probably an investment of under $50 for the whole shebang. That's less than one month at the gym and it has made a big difference to some core problems I've had. It's not a be-all ,end-all substitute for the gym, but it's fun, easy to do and can be done while enjoying a movie on TV.

Have fun with it....that way you'll look forward to doing it...and just wait till you see the results!