All's Wellness On the Homefront

Posted on: February 26, 2010

Looking to start a new fitness routine at home? Make sure you’re ready to put your best foot forward

By Bev Bennett
CTW Features

Home exercise equipment can easily become the most expensive part of your shape-up plan. That’s especially true if you’re lured by a rowing machine with wheels for easy moving at $1,200 or a treadmill with a heart rate monitor at $2,000.

But before you invest in a home gym, think about what you really need.

Have realistic goals for how you’ll use the equipment, says Pete McCall, exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise (ACE), San Diego.

“If you haven’t exercised before, start walking before you spend upwards of $1,000 on a treadmill,” McCall says. Once you’re ready for equipment check out low-cost options. You can find aids that provide a great workout on a budget. You may already have some of the items experts recommend.

For example, you may have a hula-hoop or jump rope. Using either one can provide a decent workout.

If you subscribe to cable television you don’t need to spend your money on an exercise video. Check the listings and find a workout session that suits you.

“If you find an instructor whose workout you like, you can then buy the video,” McCall says.

When you’re ready to make a purchase, look for portable and inexpensive fitness equipment, says Jessica Matthews, continuing education coordinator for ACE.

Start with a stability ball, she says.

You can use the ball to do a variety of exercises to strengthen your core muscles.

Purchase small hand weights and/or an exercise tube.

On those days when you’re working late, doing a 10-minute exercise segment in the office can provide an alternative to a home routine, says Diane A. Klein, Ph.D., Tennessee Wesleyan College, Athens.

And if you want a real bargain, look no further than your body.

“Lunges and push-ups are tried and true,” Matthews says.

Tools Of the Trade

Taking measure your diet and exercise efforts can motivate you to stay on track, but some tools are more beneficial than others.

An inexpensive pedometer or fitness tracking software for a Smartphone can be helpful reminding you to be active, according to Pete McCall, MS, fitness expert.

However, body-fat calipers may not be worth your time. If you wonder about that spare tire, pinch your waist, McCall says.

And, “scale hugging on a day to day basis” may be demoralizing since you won’t see big losses on a daily basis.

“Weighing yourself every 10 days to two weeks may be beneficial. Weighing yourself daily isn’t,” McCall says.

For the cheapest and easiest guide to your success, dig to the back of your closet and pull out your skinny jeans. Try them on once a week; you’ll see the change over time, McCall says.

Bev Bennett, a veteran food writer and editor, is the author of "Dinner for Two: A Cookbook for Couples" and "30-Minute Meals for Dummies"