Working Out on a Budget

I am so fortunate to have a gym in my home. Although it's not completely built yet, with stud/cement walls and no ceiling, heating the gym in the winter can be a challenge. If a home gym is too cold, it's not good on your muscles. Make sure it's an adequate temperature and your staying warm. Don't just measure this on your ability to sweat but touch your skin on your arms or legs and make sure they are warm as well. If your skin remains cool during the workout, then the gym temp needs to come up.

I was reminded of how simple a workout can be when my gym was too cold the other night. Grabbing only a few essential things, I headed up to my office to get in an amazing workout.

As much fun as an elliptical, wobble board, jump snap, perfect pull-up, perfect pushup, hoola hoop, and dvd's are, they are not necessary for weight loss. They will no doubt aid in your weight loss, and I do recommend some of these items (all links provided). I also believe you only need two simple things.

An exercise ball, some free weights and/or a kettlebell. That's it! You could even get in a great workout without the ball, but I believe it can be a huge assistance. After a wide search of different makes and distributors the one shown here from Wal-mart is only $17.

Another must are free weights. It's a general "rule" that weights are priced per pound. Example: If you were buying a five pound weight it should cost around five dollars. I recommend starting with a set of fives, eights, and tens. If you believe that you are going to progress past those, or wish too, then look into the weight alternative of Power Blocks.

This is going to be a more expensive choice initially then only purchasing a set of five or ten pound weights, as that would only be around $30.00. But, in the long run, if you were to add 10's, 12's, 15's, etc., this is a less expensive way to go. Paying a dollar per pound when topping out around 50 pounds, plus a full rack, is not only pricey but takes up a lot of room. The Power Block has all your weights in one. This is the set I have and use daily. (My husband also has his own set. Mine top out at 24 pounds, his 45.) I bought the floor model with stand and got a great deal. So don't be afraid to ask about that as well.

Another weight alternative is the Kettlebell. Although you can purchase these anywhere, I am a huge fan of the Kettle Worx program. It's a series of DVD's and the bell comes free. Once you have worked the program or watched enough DVD's, you can grab this little miracle worker and do your own routine. (Power Block also makes an interchangeable kettlebell if you wish to have more than one size.)

This week I am going to highlight workouts you can do with simply your weights and exercise ball. If you don't have these items, go out and grab a few. With the ball at $17 and a few weights around $20 you should be good to go without reaching too far in your wallet.

Look for workouts coming soon and get ripped sooner than later!