No More Excuses: Workout at Home on the Cheap

Excuses for not going to the gym like not having enough time or the expense of joining a fitness club are pretty easy to make. Making the decision to get fit and lose weight is an easy decision but will require a bit of effort on your part. Actually, you can do some pretty simple fitness exercises in your home right now. These exercises can be done using the items in your home right now. You can even spend as little as $40 to add some simple equipment that will give you a great, at-home fitness workout. So, stop making excuses and put together a fitness workout today.

Assess Your Fitness Needs

So, what are your fitness goals? There is something about writing goals down that makes them more real to you, so get out a pen and paper and start to write down some of your fitness goals. For example, determine where you want to be 3, 6, and 9 months from now. Do you want to lose weight, tone up, or just get in better shape? What type of equipment will you need to reach these fitness goals? Finally, determine how much money you can afford to spend.

There are so many equipment options to consider here. First, don't be taken in by those fancy all-in-one machines that are on sale, That equipment is on sale because it is no longer the latest fad, it doesn't progress along with your fitness level, it's poorly constructed, or it just doesn't work. Many people have several pieces of this type equipment all over their house. Most of these are collecting dust or have stuff piled on them. You need good equipment at a good price that will take you through to meet your fitness goals.

List of Home Fitness Equipment for Those on a Budget

Treadmill

This is the basic piece of equipment that will be the foundation of any home fitness workout. Treadmills can be used for walking, running, and even some leg strength training. Workouts can be continually varied and increased by changing speed, incline, and direction. A treadmill will move up with you through all your fitness levels. Look for treadmills on Craigslist or in your local newspaper. If you cannot afford a treadmill, there's always walking and running outside - still free.

Dumbbell Set

Start out with just three sizes and work up from there as your fitness needs demand. You should be able to get a 5, 10, and 15 pound set for relatively little money. These can be used alone or in conjunction with most other exercise in your home workout.

Fitness Ball

This is also a basic piece of equipment for any home fitness routine. There is so much you can do with a fitness ball like basic toning exercises, strengthening various core muscles, and stretching.

Resistance Band

This is one of the best, low-cost options for strength training at home. Resistance bands can be used alternatively with free weights to create some challenging workouts.

Jump Rope

Jump rope is not just for kids. Working just 15 minutes with a jump rope can burn as much as 175 calories. It's simple, easy and may even bring back some good memories from your childhood.

Equipment You Already Have at Home

If you just can't afford anything right now, that is still no excuse to not start a workout routine today. Stairs provide a great cardio workout, chairs provide a great platform for many different exercises like tricep dips, and milk jugs filled with sand or water make a great set of improvised free weights. There are just really no excuses for not starting a workout right now, right in your home.

Sources:

Home Fitness Programs

Home Fitness Workouts.com

WebMD: REDBOOK's Favortite At-Home Fitness Gadgets