Cheap Home Gyms

Gyms can be quite frustrating, especially when you're sitting around waiting for a machine or a set of dumbbells to become available. I mean, you could be doing something better than sitting around watching someone else pump up, right?

Home gyms are a great way to ensure that you always get to use what you want when you want it, but then again, how much would you need to spend to build your own home gym?

Truth be told, building your own complete home gym can be quite an expensive process and there is no real comparison when it comes to the variety at Virgin Active. If you're an experienced gymmer, then a gym contract would probably be a cheaper option than building your own gym. But if you're fairly new to the fitness world, lucky for you, there are only three, fairly cheap rubber accessories you need to get your home gym going.

The perfect home gym would consist of one that has a variety of weights that you could use in your strength and resistance training, and of course a cardio vascular machine to get your heart rate all pumped up. Don't expect to pay thousands of Rands either — if you can handle plus minus R350.00, then grab those credit cards and cheque books and lets go shopping. . .

Cardiovascular

When you look at treadmills, bikes, steppers and health walkers there is clearly no easy way out. Have you forgotten the good old-fashioned way? Jump ropes are probably the cheapest cardio tools available. They're fun, easy and cheap, not to mention the total body workout they provide. You can pick these up from around R20 upwards, and if you want to get fancy, you can always get the Tanita skipping rope, which comes complete with a built in "calories burnt" reader.

Stability

Flex balls have been around for a few years, and are extremely popular, so popular that trainers are using them and even gyms offer classes, which show you how to use the ball to its maximum potential. They're great, convenient and can usually be picked up for under R200.00, depending on the size you go for. Because of their elasticity and 'bounce' they provide you with support and won't put strain on your lower back during exercise.

Flex balls can be used for stretching, strength and stability training. Although the primary function of the ball focuses on the "core" (abs and lower back), it can also be used for a wide variety of other functions, including replacing an ordinary weight bench, or to perform an effective arm and leg workout as well as an abdominal and lower back routine.

Flex balls are also great to help improve your posture, balance and stability, so even if you're at the gym every day, there is no reason you cannot get a ball and perform a few light workouts at home in any case.

Strength and Resistance

This snappy little fitness tool is probably the most cost-effective home gym equipment around. Therabands are small and convenient, fold up into a tiny little package and get this: they only weigh about 50grams. This means you can take them anywhere with you, even on holiday. Therabands can be used as a great resistance-training tool or as part of your stretching routine.

Depending on how you use it and where you position it, you can vary the resistance from easy to super difficult, and you can do it anywhere in or outdoors. Therabands are great for replacing machinery that requires resistance, and also for exercises that focus on each individual muscle group. They can be picked up from around R50.

So next time you use that excuse, "I can't make it to the gym tonight" or "I can't afford or accommodate a home gym" remember that your excuses will reflect on your physical shape. So, if you're really keen on getting or staying in shape, scrap the excuses and back yourself up with these three, fairly cheap tools that will give you a full body workout anywhere, anytime, in or outdoors.

About The Author
Dimi Deliyiannis is the founder and editor of GetFIT.co.za, a free online magazine with information on training, diet and nutrition. She regularly writes articles for top South African magazines, including Fitness, Muscle Evolution and Women's Value. Visit her website on www.getfit.co.za