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stability ball crunch
The stack of coupons and store sale fliers next to my computer is growing rather tall. I love a deal, and when I finally do my holiday shopping (90% of which I do online), I get giddy just thinking about entering the coupon codes and watching the final dollar figure shrink. Who doesn’t love to save money?
Because I train most of my clients in their homes and outdoors, I have gobs of equipment, and most of it is inexpensive. It occurred to me that my faithful followers (who also love a good deal) may not realize how easy it is to equip a home gym on a very small budget. For under $200, you can have all of the equipment you need to get fit.
5 home-gym essentials that cost less than $100
1) Jump rope
Simple to store and use, and for $10, you can have one too. They come in varying lengths, and some are even weighted – making them a touch more difficult (insert “mean trainer” grin here). If you haven’t jumped in some time, you will definitely feel your calf muscles talking back to you. Don’t listen – they’ll become accustomed to this form of cardio in no time.
Cost: $5-$20
2) Resistance tubing
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve praised resistance tubing, but no matter, my point is…tubing is versatile, portable, challenging, and cheap. I even recommend to clients that when they are purchasing tubing, buy two or three: one for home, one for the car (you never know when you’ll be at the playground with the kids and looking for something to do), and one for your suitcase. That’s right, just stick one in your suitcase and leave it there. Next time you travel, you’ll have no excuse (insert “mean trainer” raised eyebrow here.) ANY exercise you do at the gym with either dumbbells, cables, or fixed machines…you can do with tubing. I’m not pulling your leg. NFL football players use tubing, so trust me on that one.
Cost: $8 will get you a nice quality tube. Economy Exercise Tubing with Handles
This could be the best $100 you’ll ever spend. Suspension training is quickly becoming the “hot” new tool among trainers, and for good reasons: you can achieve a total body workout with one piece of equipment; it is easy to set up (in 2 minutes, you can have the contraption up and ready to go); it is lightweight; portable (great for hotel workouts); and anyone can learn how to use it with practice. Elite athletes and novice exercisers alike get a fantastic workout, using only body weight.
Cost: $100
4) Stability ball
It looks so simple, yet it can do so much. Every home needs a stability ball. Use the ball in the same way you would a weight bench. Since balls have a tendency to roll, you will be forced to engage your core and improve your balance – or fall off. Use the ball alone, or with weighted resistance (BodyBars, dumbbells, resistance tubing, cables…you get the picture.)
I recommend Resist-A-Ball for their superior quality and price
Cost: $20-$50
5) Kettlebell
You may have heard – kettlebells are all the rage. If you decide to buy one for home use, I recommend taking a few classes, or spending one-on-one time with an experienced kettlebell trainer. There is a technique to using kettlebells effectively, but once you nail that, the results will be amazing. Kettlebell training improves strength, endurance, agility, and joint stability. They’re a hoot to use too!
Cost: $20 for an 8.8lb kettlebell, up to $96for a 70lb kb. I think learning with a 10 or 12lb kb, then switching to a 16 or 18lb kb for regular use is a good place to start.
Perform Better also has a great DVD and manual to get you started. Kettlebells from the Ground Up
There you have it. For a grand total of around $200, you can have everything you need to work out at home, and enough variety that you won’t get bored – at least not right away.
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Hi. I wanted to drop you a quick note to express my thanks. I’ve been following your blog for a month or so and have picked up a ton of good information as well as enjoyed the way you’ve structured your site.
Thank you Leslie – always nice to get feedback like this
[...] ball), never was there a better time to own one than now. Stability balls are my #1 tool/toy (see: 5 Low-Cost Items Every Home Gym Needs). They are great for core work and a myriad other exercises. SPRI is offering a pink (yeah!) [...]
Thanks Lialla! I’m working to add visuals to all of the posts – it really does help to “see” what I’m talking about.
Thanks for stopping by
- Diane