Thrifty home exercise equipment: ten tips

The cost of gym membership can seem like a luxury in these cash strapped times - especially if you don’t go as often as you should.

Even the most committed gym bunny may want to top up at home between visits. Setting up a home exercise area can be a great way to stay fit without spending a fortune.

The key is - don’t try and reproduce what the best gyms offer. You certainly can’t buy the highest quality machinery without serious money. That’s really what a gym membership buys - use of great equipment without the outlay.

But do you really need the high cost hardware to keep fit?

It certainly didn’t used to be that way - go back fifty years and no one would have thought time on a rowing machine or vibrating plate were essential to keep them fit.

Even high calibre sports men and women years ago trained in a much more simple way - using exercise routines often based on army keep fit manuals. High tech fitness equipment back in your grandfather’s day was a ball or a skipping rope.

Having a place to go where you feel comfortable and relaxed to practise your routines in private will help you stick with your exercise program. If you don’t feel comfortable, you keep getting interrupted - or if the equipment needs to be continually removed and stored - you may find yourself less keen to start exercising each day.

So - here’s ten tips to get you started.

1. Pick your space and make it your own - a private and comfortable space will add to your motivation to exercise. But keep your home exercise space clear and uncluttered
2. Use a large storage crate to keep your exercise equipment in so you can keep it tidy and out of sight. A large wicker basket is ideal.
3. Make sure you have a source of music - exercising to music is much more enjoyable and feels more sociable. Music keeps you moving and energetic.
4. An exercise ball is a great bit of starter kit - not expensive and easy to use. It stores easily, doesn’t take up much room and can be used in all kinds of routines. Buy a good quality ball that will last and make sure it’s the right size for your height and weight.
5. A simple skipping rope is great for a cardio workout the old fashioned way - who needs an exercise machine? It’s cheap (or you can even ‘borrow’ one from the kids), stores easily and most of us know how to use one without instruction.
6. Get a simple set of dumbells for resistance and strength training. A set of dumbells take little room and are relatively inexpensive. Dumbell training can also be incorporated into your cardio exercise routine or core exercise program.
7. A good mat is absolutely essential. The mat will absorb impact during aerobic exercise and give you a a comfortable surface for floor exercises. Exercise mats roll and store easily and don’t cost much. Save money by using an old rug or carpet but make sure it has a no slip base.
8. Weights for strapping to your arms and legs are good to aid muscle building exercise. You can start with a set and see how you go - again they cost little compared to large pieces of equipment.
9. If you want to really save on costs - or try out weight training before you spend any money - replace your weights with tins from your store cupboard - choose itns you can comfortably hold in your hand.
10. Sort out some comfortable clothes to wear to exercise in - you don’t need special expensive kit. Cotton stretch leggins and a tee shirt are ideal.

With this simple set up - you can start exercising at home or even give up gym membership for good

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