FITNESS ON THE CHEAP: PART 2

In my last post, I suggested a few ways to get in shape without spending a dime. Today I'll present a couple low-cost options for transforming your flabby, sedentary self into a lean, mean fitness machine. The stuff you'll need isn't free, but it won't break your bank account either. I'm biased, of course, but I think if you can afford to spend a little cash on exercise equipment, you should consider purchasing a basic barbell & dumbbell set (a 110-lb. set should be enough for most beginners) and a sturdy weight bench.


Fortunately for the bargain hunter, used barbell sets are fairly easy to find. In most cases, the sellers suffer from a fairly common neurological disorder in which the desire to exercise is gradually replaced by an overpowering urge to spend more time on the couch. Or sometimes the seller is a dedicated lifter who's simply outgrown the equipment and is preparing to upgrade. In either case, the asking price is sometimes a fraction of what the equipment originally cost, so you can find some great deals--if you know where to look . Garage sales, yard sales and Craig's List are great places to find used and "almost new" weight equipment. Sometimes you'll find everything you need for less than a $100. That's a small price to pay for the amazing benefits you'll get from regularly lifting those weights in various ways. If lifting weights isn't your thing, consider investing in a set of rubber resistance tubing. Inexpensive, effective, versatile and portable, resistance tubing provides a great workout almost anywhere. Several of my clients take tubing with them when they travel so they won't miss a workout while they're away. Resistance tubing can be purchased in sets that include several tubes of various resistance levels. You can find them at most sporting goods stores and even some department stores for $20-$30.


I get my tubing from Spri Products. It's a little more expensive than other brands (prices for individual Xertubes range from $9-$12), but they're well worth the cost. If you order your tubes from Spri, be sure to also purchase a door attachment. It costs only a few bucks, and it'll make your tubing even more versatile. Of course, cheap exercise equipment is only effective if you know how to use it properly. In my next post, I'll tell you where to find some good advice for putting your stuff to good use.

FITNESS ON THE CHEAP: PART 1

I realize that not everybody can afford personal training, especially during these tough economic times. But that shouldn't prevent you from getting in shape. After all, exercise is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve the quality of your life. Nothing else even comes close. Can you name a single prescription drug that can help you lose weight, gain muscle, increase endurance, increase strength, increase energy, improve mood, improve posture, reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, lower blood pressure, increase bone density, reduce cholesterol, combat depression, and add years to your life? Exercise does ALL of that without any harmful side effects--unless you do something stupid like dropping a dumbbell on your foot, or trying single-leg squats on a Bosu Ball while blindfolded. (To learn more about the benefits of exercise, specifically strength training, check out this link: http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com/health/top18.html)

You don't need an expensive gym membership or pricey home exercise equipment to start reaping the benefits of exercise. (Of course, membership at a good gym definitely has its advantages.) There are plenty of low-cost and even NO-cost ways to begin your journey to physical perfection, or at least your journey to a much healthier, happier you. In today's post, we'll take a look at a couple of ways to get fit without spending a penny.


Walking is great exercise, and it's completely free. You probably already have a comfortable pair of walking shoes, so just lace 'em up and walk! Start with a brisk walk around the block, and gradually increase the distance every day. Walking is a perfect way for sedentary folks to ease into a more active lifestyle. (To learn more about what walking can do for you, just Google the phrase "health benefits of walking.) If you're looking for something a little more challenging, consider putting together a workout with some good old-fashioned calisthenics and bodyweight exercises.


Pushups, jumping jacks, burpees, squats, lunges, step-ups, pull-ups, chair dips, mountain climbers, crunches, etc. don't require any special equipment, and you can do them almost anywhere. String a few of these exercises together in a fast-paced circuit, and you've got an effective, muscle-building, fat-burning, heart-pumping workout. If regular pushups and pull-ups are too tough, you can use one of several modified versions until you get a little stronger. Here's a good article on bodyweight workouts: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/basictraining.htm

In my next post, I'll describe a couple of low-cost exercise choices. Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CVFitness