Five Best Inexpensive Home Workout Products, By Edward Macejka

When thinking about starting (or restarting) an exercise program, there are many reasons people give for putting it off. Some people are self-conscious about their bodies and are intimidated by the thought of going to a gym. Some don't want to spend money for a gym membership and still others feel as though they don't have the time. Each of these concerns can be addressed by working out at home. Listed below are my top five fitness items you can use for a quick, inexpensive workout program. Each of these can be purchased for under $100 and can easily be used in the home.

Nothing/bodyweight - Anyone can get a perfectly good workout using nothing but their own body weight. Some of the most effective strength training exercises can be done without incorporating additional weights. Squats and lunges for the lower body, pushups and plank for the upper body and situps for the core. For added resistance at a minimal cost you can fill a gallon milk or water jug. A full jug weighs about eight pounds but you can fill it to whatever level feels appropriate for you.

Bosu Ball - A Bosu ball is a fitness device that allows a person to balance train as well as aerobic and strength training. Bosu is an acronym for "Both Sides Up". A Bosu ball looks like a stability ball which has been cut in half and attached to a platform. A number of different upper and lower body exercises may be performed with either the dome side up or the platform side up. A Bosu ball with exercise DVD can be bought for around $80.

Resistance Bands - Resistance bands are like giant rubber bands that you pull to work certain muscle groups. Resistance bands are much more convenient than typical weight-lifting gear, as they are lighter, more portable and easy to use. The bands come in various levels of resistance and are usually color coded with increasing resistance levels shown with increasingly darker color bands. A set of five resistance bands can be purchased online for as little as $15, and many sets includes either a workout manual showing how to do different exercises or even an instructional DVD.

Weighted Jump Rope - Jumping rope is one of the simplest and most effective aerobic exercise. To enhance the workout you can use a weighted jump rope, which has handles weighing anywhere from one to four pounds. The weighted handles allow you to get an upper body strength workout at the same time as your aerobic workout. A weighted jump rope can be purchased for anywhere from $20 - $50 depending on the weight. Keep in mind though that you will need at least nine feet or higher ceilings if you plan to use the jump rope in the house.

Adjustable Dumbbells/Kettlebells - If exercise space is the primary concern keeping you from beginning a workout program, then adjustable dumbbells or kettlebells may be the best choice. Instead of having dumbbells/kettlebells for every weight increment, you have one item that you can adjust to the desired weight. This also is a cost effective way to get a total body workout. Whether you choose dumbbells or kettlebells (or both) is up to your personal preference. Top of the line new equipment can be a bit pricy but if you search online you can find perfectly good used equipment for under $100.

There are a large number of additional items that you can incorporate into your home workout program, but I suggest starting out with one or more of the choices described above. Once you get comfortable with a program you can add or subtract equipment to give yourself the most effective (and enjoyable) workout possible.

Edward Macejka and his wife Kelly write blogs and articles on their website, http://www.ourjourneytofitness.com, which is dedicated to sharing the experiences of the journey to physical, mental and spiritual fitness.

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