If you are exercising at home you will need to use some simple pieces of exercise equipment to get maximum input and  boost your workout routines.

Fortunately it does not cost very much to set yourself up with some simple pieces that can be put away in a cupboard out of sight. No longer do you need to buy those huge pieces of equipment that can take over your living space.

Exercise Mat

Everybody’s first on the list home exercise kit purchase should be a good exercise mat.

This will cushion your spine when you are doing floor exercises and reduce the possibility that you may slip while carrying out yoga and pilates routines.

It is also hygienic as it will protect your floor covering from sweat and undue wear.

Dumbells

The most traditional piece of kit for home exercise is a set of dumbbells. Begin with a pair weighing 5-10 lbs and graduate to 15- 25 lbs. Better still buy a set of weights that attach to the dumbbells so that you can gradually increase your resistance work.

Always make sure you warm up before you exercise and cool down afterwards.

Kettlebells

Kettlebells have been used in exercise routines for over 300 years. Think of an old fashioned cannonball with a handle attached. Swinging a kettlebell is a great workout for your core muscles and your heart.

A word of warning, it is a good idea to get down to your local gym for classes on how to use the kettlebell safely to avoid self injury and possible muscle damage. Having a good technique with this piece of kit will work wonders with your stamina and strength. Start with a kettlebell weighing around 10-15 lbs.

Steps

Check that the step is stable and strongly built before purchase. Even the best will not set you back much money. It is easy to carry out step routines at any time without having to change into gym gear. A step is great for cardio workouts and calorie burning.

Medicine Ball

A favourite found in every gym is a medicine ball. Usually a little larger than a basketball and weighing between six and twenty lbs. On your own it is used for weight lifting and a variety of routines such as lunging.

If you have a partner to exercise with you can perform a number of exercises throwing the ball to each other from different positions.

Swiss Ball

The Swiss ball is our personal favourite. This is a large inflated plastic ball that seems to have a mind of its own when you sit or lie on it to perform various routines. There are three sizes so choose a size best suited to your height.

Resistance Band

An elastic resistance band is the least expensive piece of specialised exercise kit you can buy. One advantage is that it can be carried anywhere as it is very light so there is no excuse for not exercising if you are away from home overnight or longer.

Routines with the band build muscle tone instead of weights and add variety to your workouts. They come in different strengths to suit.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Chair

Finally any household chair is a useful addition to the home exercise kit as it can be used for a number of beneficial postures such as squats, twists and other muscle building routines.

Also as every dwelling has a chair there is no excuse for missing a workout because there is no kit!

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Many of you will have heard of the amazing new vibrating exercise machine that is used by celebrities to keep their bodies trim and in shape for their public appearances.

Madonna, Clint Eastwood, Heidi Klum and Jane Fonda are just a few of the celebs that regularly exercise with these new vibration training machines.

In fact,  I have used one and can’t keep away from it. I have put it on my shopping list as a must have – and quick!

Any machine that promises to do all of the following is heaven sent.

• Reduce cellulite by loosening the agglutinations, which results in better skin appearance.
• Increase flexibility making the body more supple
• Increase circulation thereby pumping the blood around the body faster, which in turn speeds up waste elimination
• Helps the body with co-ordination and balance
• Strengthens muscles
• Helps reduce tiredness in legs

How it works

This type of exercise machine essentially consists of a controlled horizontal plate a few inches above ground level that vibrates in such a way as to create instability in the body. Attached to the plate are supports for the hands and a control panel.

The vibrations activate the muscles in the body to contract between 25 – 50 times per second.

By applying acceleration to the body, strength stability and power can be improved.

Basic exercises to be performed on the machine are squats, lunges, press-ups and stretches.

These powerful vibrations, according to one well known manufacturer, claims to give the same results in 10 minutes as a 60 minutes conventional exercise work out.

The cost

Vibrating plate exercise machines do not come cheap if you are going to buy the best.

However, not all purse strings reach that far so a little shopping for a bargain seems to be a good way to acquire this wonder piece of exercise equipment.

The variety of Exercise equipment for fitness centers and home gyms is enormous. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of exercise machines and gym equipment available as aids for each and every conceivable type of fitness program.

At the last count over two hundred and twenty five manufacturers had one or more products on the market.

Not only is the choice of new equipment almost overwhelming but there is a thriving market in second hand equipment.

Each individual entering into an exercise workout schedule will have their own ideas on which areas of their bodies they want to develop but overall physical conditioning is the first goal to achieve then the six pack or pectorals, tight bums and flat tummies can come along later.

In our opinion the first essential piece of home equipment for the first timer is

• a good treadmill preferably fitted with a distance and speed recorder, heart monitor and calorie counter – or you could go for a daily walk/jog/sprint in all weathers!

• The other ‘must have’ is a set of weights for using to build muscle mass.

With the sensible use of these two items of exercise equipment, beginners should be able to work out a beneficial and practical exercise workout schedule to achieve a toned and healthy body.

With such a wide choice of equipment and price ranges we advise searching the web and getting to know the market before deciding on a purchase..

A good alternative is to check out the equipment in your local fitness centers. If you find a machine that suits you then look for it on line where you are quite likely to find it or similar at a bargain price.

Starting an exercise routine is one of the best choices you can make – getting fit and losing weight will have both physical and emotional benefits for you.

If you’re new to exercise, you may be wondering what is the best type of cardio and weights equipment to use at the gym to aid your weight loss.

You may also wonder whether or not the exercise machines you see at your local gym are something you should buy for working out at home.

At the gym, you will have access to a wide range of cardio equipment and weights machine

Elliptical trainers, treadmills, stepping machines, stationary bikes and rowing machinesare just some of the types of machines you can use to build your cardiovascular fitness, build muscle and burn calories.

These machines will provide a great cardio workout for both men and women, because they are relatively simple to use and also because they are usually computer-operated with built-in programs that can be modified according to your sex, age, weight and fitness level.

Using these machines means that everyone gets a workout tailored to their needs.

Gyms also provide weights machines and free weights areas.

Weights machines are great, especially if you are just starting out. They offer good support while performing your exercises, they’re easy to use and they save you time.

Machines are often a good option for women at the gym, because it can be less intimidating to use a machine than to set up in the free-weights area.

For more experienced gym-goers, free weights are great because they allow you more exercise flexibility than machines do.

Men tend to prefer to use free weights to build muscle mass, for their versatility and because they help you to build whole body strength.

Taking your workouts home is an important part of a weight loss or fitness program.

Ultimately, the equipment you buy for use at home will be limited by one factor: money.

Good quality cardio and weights equipment can be very expensive. Often, cheaper equipment doesn’t offer the range of functions or, in the case of weights machines, necessary support, that gym-quality equipment provides.

If money is no object, a treadmill or elliptical trainer offers a great cardio workout for men and women, and a multi-station weights machine can help you build all-over strength.

A limited budget doesn’t mean you can’t train at home.

Taking to the street for a run, walking up stairs or jumping rope are all effective cardio exercises for both sexes that don’t require expensive equipment.

Buying a few free weights, a medicine ball and a Swiss ball will offer you a range of weight-training possibilities.

Combine home training with gym membership and you are well on your way to weight loss and better health.

Made of elastic rubber the exercise ball, also referred to as the Swiss ball, has become very popular with keep fit enthusiasts.

It is large and very light and should not be confused with the much heavier medicine ball.

Both are invaluable in exercise programs designed to build up muscle strength.

The benefits of an exercise ball workout are enormous

• It is a key feature in programmed workouts gyms as an aid for back problems and rehabilitation after accidents involving the spine.

• The exercise ball routines target the abs and at the same time benefit the associated deep underlying muscles in that area of the body.

• As the exercise ball is unstable and has a random bounce, the body has to use the core body muscles (back and abdominals) to keep balanced.  This results in those muscles becoming stronger with time.

• Therefore balance and stability are improved.

• Overall co-ordination improves.

• Strengthens the back and can help those with low back pain (see below)

• Good body posture is encouraged.

• Targets different muscles by using varied weights and sizes of ball subject to advice from a qualified PTI.

• Can be utilized in a beginner or advanced workout.

If you suffer from back problems it is well worth seeking advice from your medical practitioner/physical therapist.

The Swiss ball is often used as an aid to strengthen weak or painful back muscles by increasing the blood flow to the affected area.

Workouts with the Swiss ball can be particularly effective in combination with Pilates routines in alleviating back problems but it is advisable to follow a specialist program.

Exercise balls can be purchased at most  large sports stores and are readily available on internet.

Choose your exercise ball with care. Your height and weight will have an effect on the size of ball best for you.

The following chart is a guideline

As usual before starting any workout do 5-10 minutes gentle warm up exercises just to loosen stiff muscles and joints to avoid a sudden workload causing a muscle strain.

Bodybuilding and weight training has become a very popular form of exercise. It is generally used for building muscle mass, strength or simply for toning the body.

Properly performed exercises, with weights, are probably one of the quickest methods to use to create that streamlined shape we all desire so much.

Hand held dumbells are very cheap and can bought in various weight size.

Weight training as an exercise can be performed by anyone from  professional bodybuilders to the man or woman on the street. There are different training methods to suit every individual.

The basic exercise for weight training is the repetition of lifting and lowering, using weights of a certain size, depending on the level of fitness and the  requirements of the individual

Repetitions from 6 – 20 are considered normal.

Beginners must start with a set of light weights, roughly 2-3 lbs.  If you are doing this at home and don’t have any weights make do with a couple of unopened baked bean cans or similar. Follow a steady program so that you can mark your progress.

Muscle growth can be achieved by using very heavy weights in a series of repetitions with a short  interval break between reps. This is because the muscles grow during the rest period but are not given enough time to recover and repair and as a result  they become stronger.

Most people, however, want to create develop toned muscles and build body strength.  They can achieve this by pursuing a regular program with the correct weights

The Benefits of Weight Training

• The body looks better
• More energy and vitality
• Builds muscle mass if so desired – normally for bodybuilders
• Prevents loss of muscle tone which in older people often leads to osteoporosis
• Can improve the feeling of well being by increasing the levels of certain hormones in the body.
• Can improve heart and lung capacity if performed at the correct intensity
• Metabolism is raised helping towards fat loss

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When you think of exercise machines one of the first to come to mind even if you hate exercise and have no wish to ever use an exercise machine, is a treadmill.

Definition of Treadmill

An indoor exercise device consisting of an endless belt on which a person can walk or jog without actually covering any ground. When the person using the machine stands on the platform and begins to walk the roller underneath moves and the belt turns over the rollers. Speed can be built up very easily. There is a rail to hold onto in the front or at either side for support. The original word treadmill comes from a type of mill which was operated by someone treading the steps of a wheel to ground grain etc.

Using a Treadmill

The Advantages

• Walking or running on a treadmill is a very effective way to workout
• Motorized treadmills measure speed, heartbeat and number of calories used
• Unlike outdoor roads and tracks the treadmill platform is even
• Gradients may be used for the more energetic
• You can judge exactly at what rate you are improving
• No restrictions on time limit
• Can be used in the privacy of your own home and at the same time listen to iPod or watch TV
• Allows the user the opportunity to exercise in bad weather
• No necessity to join a gym, which can be very expensive
• The basic treadmill is usually portable and lightweight and easy to store

Disadvantages

• Can be boring and lonely, so its important to have access to TV or music
• Needs a positive attitude (like all exercise)
• Can be noisy and heavy if motorized
• Motorized treadmills are more expensive but have more features

Technology is moving forward. Future treadmills will incorporate the use of a helmet so that the wearer can be transported into virtual reality.