I can’t believe that today is Dec. 1st! My kids are already counting down to Christmas. This is also a time where it gets really hard to keep the weight off with Christmas parties, potlucks and extra office goodies. It’s no wonder this is the considered the most wonderful time of the year.
It also one of the busiest and can be very challenging to find time to workout. If you can’t find a gym facility that fits your needs or your busy schedule, consider creating your own exercise space at home. It could be the answer to fitting workouts into your daily life. At home, the gym is always open.
First, decide on a budget. Outfitting a home gym doesn’t have to involve a great expense. You don’t want to spend more than you would on membership at a health club just to buy the equipment.
Being practical is the key. Salespeople will try to sell you everything they offer, but you must know what you can afford and what you want. Don’t get talked into buying machines that you will never use. If you buy used equipment, get a warrantee.
What kinds of exercises do you like to do? If you don’t enjoy walking, don’t purchase a treadmill no matter how much of a deal it is. Bicycling may be more your speed. Look into prices for recumbent or air type stationary bicycles.
What will your goals be? If you want to burn fat and slim down, purchase aerobic equipment as opposed to resistance machines. There is no need to purchase a Bowflex® machine if you don’t plan on using weights.
Check out the sale papers and the classified ads. People sell exercise equipment all the time. Before purchasing anything, make sure that the equipment is in good working condition. Take your time. Impulse buying is not good. No one wants “buyer’s remorse” later on.
I don’t even have a desire to buy major equipment. I just use resistance bands, jump rope, bar bells, weighted balls and the super huge ball. I bought all of these at TJ Maxx at really reduced prices so I probably spent about $50 total for everything. Now that is exercise on a budget.
I have a loft area that is my office and I push my chair to the side and depending on my day, I will work out before I pick up the kids from school or later on at night while they are settled down watching their favorite program. The key is consistency and making it happen by making it a priority every day.
Before you commit to a home gym, consider three things: space, budget, and preferences. An on-site gym offers the convenience of a workout whenever the mood strikes which can be different every day for the busy mom.
