| While you can find plenty of expensive fitness | | | | therapy clinics and then eventually spilled over into |
| equipment to spend your money on, it may | | | | the general public. They are inexpensive, yet |
| surprise you to know that you can get started | | | | extremely versatile, and they usually come in |
| with a few choice items, each for under $30. | | | | about three sizes so be sure to get the one that |
| Many people think that you need to spend a lot | | | | is appropriate for your height. You can perform |
| of money on equipment in order to get in shape, | | | | movements ranging from abdominal crunches and |
| but in reality, you can do a lot with very little. | | | | push-ups to glute and hamstring exercises. These |
| While training in a gym environment can be | | | | balls also provide a lot of low lumbar support for |
| motivating, there is plenty you can do on your | | | | people with low back problems, although anyone |
| own with just a little self-discipline and some | | | | can benefit from their use. |
| creativity to help get you started. | | | | And last but not least, letís talk about a good |
| To begin, let's start with the jump rope. You will | | | | set of dumbbells. I just canít say enough about |
| find ropes made of actual rope, plastic or vinyl, | | | | theseóyou canít beat them for the vast array |
| and leather. Leather will last the longest, and you | | | | of resistance training movements that can be |
| should be able to pick one up at any local sporting | | | | performed using them. People with osteoporosis |
| goods store. Iím speaking modestly when I say | | | | are encouraged to engage in weight-bearing |
| that jumping rope is a taxing workout you will | | | | exercise as a means to increase their bone |
| probably only be able to do a few minutes at a | | | | density, and dumbbells are a fantastic means to |
| time when you first start out, but stick with it | | | | do so. They can also be used in conjunction with |
| and your endurance will build up with each go | | | | an exercise ball in place of a bench when |
| around. Remember, boxers always jump rope to | | | | performing chest presses, back rows, and a |
| train for a fight, and they need to last inside the | | | | number of other movements. You can purchase a |
| ring for 8-12 consecutive rounds! It may surprise | | | | set in any five-pound increment you choose, or |
| you after a couple months of jumping rope just | | | | you can spend a little more money (more than |
| how much your endurance will improve. | | | | $30) and buy an adjustable set of dumbbells that |
| Another piece of equipment that has been around | | | | will allow you to grow into them as you get |
| for a long time is the roller-wheel, although it is | | | | stronger and require a greater amount of weight. |
| called by many different names. Basically, it is a | | | | These four types of fitness equipment are all |
| wheel with a handle through the center of it that | | | | excellent means of getting in shape and tend to |
| you use by kneeling on the floor, grasping the | | | | work the best when combined. Remember, you |
| handle with both hands, and then rolling the wheel | | | | need to engage in all four components of fitness |
| away from your body. The difficult part is bringing | | | | for a balanced workout: Cardiovascular conditioning |
| it back towards you, which requires a fair amount | | | | (jump rope), resistance training (dumbbells), |
| of upper body strength. Often promoted under | | | | flexibility (stretching), and nutrition (practicing good |
| various names as an abdominal exerciser, this | | | | eating habits). The four components donít |
| small but tough piece of equipment actually works | | | | necessarily have to be these four, but I think you |
| not just the abs, but the entire upper body. It | | | | will find these will give you a great workout, |
| looks much easier than it actually is. After you get | | | | none-the-less. So shop around and look for the |
| better at it, you may be able to start from your | | | | best deal for the equipment of your choice, and |
| toes rather than your knees, but this will take | | | | donít forget to check used sporting goods |
| some time. | | | | stores, they often carry a wide selection of |
| The exercise ball, sometimes called a Swiss ball, | | | | equipment. The goal is simply to get started on a |
| abdominal ball, or fitness ball, serves as an | | | | fitness program that accommodates your lifestyle |
| excellent way to perform numerous exercises. | | | | and is convenient for you to do, in the hopes that |
| These balls originally got their start in physical | | | | it will become a habit. |