Published on 05/5/2011

As our lives get busier and busier it seems there are more excuses than ever when it comes to exercise. My job is to help you eliminate those excuses.

Build your home gym

As our lives get busier and busier it seems there are more excuses than ever when it comes to exercise. My job is to help you eliminate those excuses.

For some people, that means creating a home gym. If you are the type of person who likes the social aspect as much as the exercise the home gym is not for you. All you will use the equipment for is as a door stop or clothes hanger. If you like to get in the zone either with your music or the TV then you can make a home gym that is convenient and functional.

Let's start with cardio equipment. If you have the room these are great pieces to invest in. It allows you to workout even when it is cold, hot, dark, rainy or late (or any other excuse that stops you). The trick is to find something you enjoy that has multiple levels to keep you challenged. Some possibilities include: treadmill, stairclimber, treadclimber, elliptical, stationary bike, recumbent bike, rowing machine, ski machine or arc trainer.

The next piece that I really like is the stability ball. You can do body weight exercises on it such as push ups and rollups. It can double as a bench while you do bench press and skull crushers. Put it against the wall at your back and you will maintain perfect position during squats. It is also a great tool to help you increase core strength.

When it comes to weights, I recommend that people start with dumbbells. You can by pairs of ascending weights or combo sets that you take the plates off and on to change the amount. The separate pairs are easy to use and switch between sizes, but take up more room. The combo sets take time to switch out the plates but are very compact.

A thick mat to do floor work on can make those exercises much more comfortable. It also can keep you from slipping. They roll up so they don't take up a lot of space.

Rubber bands would be the next thing I would add. They offer variety to your workout and are compact and inexpensive. They are especially good for people who travel a lot because they fit in a suitcase. (Thereby eliminating another excuse)

There are two types. The first are made of tubing and have handles on them. The thicker the tubing the more of a challenge they offer. Usually they come in packs of three with a light, medium and heavy resistance. The second type are wide and flat. These are better for stretching and exercises that involve the legs and feet because they don't slip off as easily. Again, they come in light, medium and heavy resistance.

These pieces would give you everything you needed to get a consistent well rounded workout. Now all you need is discipline!

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