Training at Home

            Some people don’t have the time or energy to join the gym, but they still want to integrate fitness into their daily lives. There are many ways to train on a budget and still reap the benefits that come along with regular exercise.

You don’t need much equipment, but there are a few essentials. Warmups and cool downs can be done with very little equipment. You can go for a walk around the block, march in place or use a jump rope at the beginning and end of your session. All three can also be used for the cardio portion of your workout.

For resistance training you will need resistance tubing, free weights or any other object that can be used to provide resistance. For example, an inexpensive and very challenging method of training is sandbag training. All you need is a duffel bag and the patience to fill and tape ziplock bags. Sandbag training is effective and provides a great workout. I will cover it more depth in a future article.

Resistance tubing is also cheap and allows you to do a multitude of exercises. The great thing about resistance tubing is that it is portable and comes in handy when you are on the road. Even free weights can be inexpensive if you take the time and go bargain hunting. The big box chains have decent prices but the best place to look is in the classifieds. Whether it is in the paper or on any of the online classifieds, you are sure to find a great bargain. The best time to look is February and March. Many people buy equipment for Christmas and quickly realize they weren’t ready to fully commit to a routine. So rather than use it as an object to hang laundry on, they let it go for a big discount.

By adding a bench, you will add to the number of exercises you can perform. If you don’t have the space for a bench, you can use a stability ball that can be easily stored and provides a great core workout.

There are also many good training videos and books to help you create a home-based workout plan. Just make sure you choose one that is right for you. It is easy to get swept up in the hype of the infomercials and buy one of those programs. But honestly, how many people have completed one of those video series, let alone even removed all of the packaging?

There are many online resources that can help you learn proper technique and provide great suggestions for training at home. Take the time to find exercises you can do at home and will target every body part.

For less than $200 dollars you can buy everything you need to train at home. Training at home allows you to be in a comfortable environment, saves time and can be just as effective as training in a gym if done properly Set aside a time slot in your schedule and make sure you follow through. Adopt good training habits and keep track of your progress. Home training is a great alternative to the gym but it must be taken seriously and a positive attitude and good energy are needed. Do your research and find out what’s  right for you. Whatever you choose, have fun and be safe.