Let’s face it; convenience is key when it comes to fitting in your exercise routine. When you think of the time consumed in packing your gym bag and toiletries, driving to the gym, parking, checking in, going to the locker room, waiting for equipment, making some polite conversation with staff or members and then reversing the process, you can potentially be looking at taking 2 hours out of your day. Do that 3 – 4 times a week and it’s easy to begin making statements about why you don’t have time to exercise.

The home gym is quickly becoming the solution for your “no time” objection. You no longer need to agonize over researching and paying for a health club membership when with a small investment and the discipline to execute your routine; you can get the same results in the privacy of your own home.

When exercising from home you can maintain regular workouts even when you life becomes irregular. You just can’t beat the convenience.

Building a Home Gym without a budget and with limited space.

Start by knowing there are many exercises you can do simply with your body weight – especially if you are a beginner. Some examples of strengthening exercises include; push-ups, wall squats, stationary lunges, leg lifts and sit-ups. Jumping jacks, stadiums (taking the steps), walking and jumping (with or without a jump rope) can be done for cardiovascular endurance. No equipment is necessary for flexibility exercises.

Without any equipment at all, you can set up a mini-circuit around your living space that includes alternating the above strengthening and cardiovascular exercises. Build up to repeating the circuit several times per session. Printing out the names of the exercises on index cards and placing them around the room will help you to keep order and efficiency in your routine. Change the sequence of the exercises each workout for variety and fun.

As you get stronger, progress by using household items like soup cans, ½ gallon and gallon containers filled with water for the strengthening exercises. You can also fill a back pack with weighted objects for added resistance as you do lunges and squats. You can increase the intensity of the cardiovascular exercises simply by moving a little faster which will ensure that you continue to work within your target heart rate.

For your flexibility program simply plug in your favorite soothing music, dim the lights, relax and slowly go through a total body stretching routine. You’re only a few steps away from a hot shower.

Minimal Budget

If you have a small budget up to $100.00 the following items will give you the most mileage for your money. With limited funds you want to include equipment that is flexible and can grow with you.

Resistance bands also known as fitness tubing are a great alternative that can be used in the smallest of spaces as well as thrown in a suitcase when traveling. These are available with variable resistance and most exercises can be adapted with a little creativity. Adding door connections to resistance tubing will aid in completing a full-body workout. Fitness tubing kits are available for under $30.00.

Exercise Balls Also known as Stability Balls, Resist-A-Balls, Therapy Balls or Swiss Balls, are the best-kept secret for the home as they are cherished by physical therapists and personal trainers. The balls can provide a total body strengthening workout as well as be incorporated in cardiovascular activities and assist in stretching. Exercise balls can be used with your body weight or you can add resistance to it – like the bands mentioned above. They can replace a flat or incline workout bench and create a challenge not only to your strength, but balance, stability and coordination as well. Exercise balls come in several sizes and beginners should work with a larger less inflated ball. As you become accustomed to the exercises add more air to your ball.

One of the best features of the ball s that most of the exercises incorporate the abdominals and lower back which are great for posture and giving you a taller and leaner appearance. You need a space about as long as your body to work within. Fitness Balls can be purchased found for around $30.00. And when you are not exercising, you can sit on them in place of a chair at your desk.

Exercise Video’s are a wonderful way to add variety to your program and keep your routine interesting. There are thousands of videos available in every discipline of exercise including kick boxing, Pilates, step, tai chi, flexibility, funk, belly dancing and abdominal conditioning. Most video’s average $20.00, can be done in minimal space and with little or no equipment. Video’s can also be rented from a video store or library or swapped with a friend.

Dumbbells run about $.89 cents per pound. A beginner should get a set of 3, 5, 7 & 9 pound weights to start. Dumbbells will add many options to your exercise equipment repertoire; they are very functional and can produce wonderful strength gains which will ultimately increase your metabolism. Dumbbells can easily be stored under a bed or couch or at the bottom of a closet for convenient access to your total body workout.

Ankle Weights are a great tool for a total body strengthening workout. They should not be used in conjunction with cardiovascular conditioning. Ankle weights can be placed around the wrists or ankles for a complete workout. They are especially desirable for hip, butt and thigh work that is difficult to target with dumbbells. Most exercises that can be done with a dumbbell for the upper body can be done safely with ankle weights.

Use all of your resources If you have a bike for outdoor use, simply hop on and start pedaling. If you reside in a place which has facilities like a meeting room, fitness center or swimming pool, take advantage of their space and equipment if any. Borrow equipment from friends that are letting it collect dust or shop for equipment in the classifieds and at auctions like eBay. Many equipment stores will also sell reconditioned equipment or floor models for pennies on the dollar.

Here are some buying tips

When possible, purchase equipment from knowledgeable sales people who are savvy about health and fitness equipment. They should be able to answer specific questions and help you buy the right equipment for you.

If you can’t try it don’t buy it. Go to the store in workout gear and use the equipment for at least 10 minutes. If you’re ordering by phone or through the Internet, be sure to check out the return policy, time limits, warrantees and guarantees.

Home equipment can be a hit or miss when it comes to quality and durability, as you may have witnessed. If you are going to make a purchase, it should be durable and well made and stable during use. The action should be smooth and most importantly, it should be an activity that you enjoy doing and will continue doing down the road. See if there is a loner program for a week to take it home and try it out.

There is considerable controversy these days on whether a treadmill or an elliptical trainer burns more calories. Treadmills and ellipticals are the #1 and #2 most popular selling fitness equipment.

Many dedicated treadmill users are switching to elliptical trainers. The appeal is the low impact, upper and lower body workout. Although treadmills still outsell elliptical trainers. The reason being, the most common form of exercising is walking and jogging.

In my research, I came across a number of reports and studies, and in general, it appears that both machines give comparable results in burning calories. In fact, using a calorie burn calculator on www.healthstatus.com, I found that a workout on an elliptical gives you the same results as running on a treadmill, but you burn fewer calories if you walk or jog on a treadmill.

Calories burned in 60 minutes by a 150 lbs. user:

Walking, 2 mph – 189

Walking, 3 mph – 297

Jogging – 477

Running, 7 mph - 783

Elliptical Trainer - 774

There was a basic flaw to the results, since it allowed you to compare calories burned at different levels of exertion on the treadmill, but not on the elliptical trainer. Often I see people working out on an elliptical at health clubs, and they are basically going through the motions. The calories they burn are no more than what you would achieve from a casual walk.

So which machine is better at burning calories?

It depends on which machine will motivate you the most and push you to the highest level of exertion.

If you are a devoted walker or runner then the treadmill is an obvious choice. The treadmill offers you a more forgiving surface in comparison to asphalt or concrete. It provides you with various programs that can add variety to your exercise. But to get results you need to crank up the speed and/or incline. Without pushing yourself, you will limit the number of calories you burn.

As mentioned, the elliptical trainer is growing in popularity due to the low impact, and combined upper and lower body workout. Since the machine moves in an elliptical motion and your feet never leave the pedals, it minimizes the impact and strain to your ankles, knees and back. This is an appeal feature to the aging baby boomer generation.

In addition, an elliptical trainer workouts both the upper and lower body simultaneously. The upper and lower body exercise utilizes the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, triceps and biceps. Studies suggest that exercising numerous muscle groups increases fat burning efficiency. The larger the muscle mass involved in an exercise, the more effective that exercise is for improving fat mobilization, burning calories and building muscle endurance in an efficient period of time.

This would suggest that an elliptical trainer would burn more calories, but there is no denying that running also efficiently burns calories.

So which machine should you purchase?

If your joints are suffering from strain or just old age, and if you would like to exercise your upper body, the elliptical trainer is a good choice. For walkers, joggers or runners you can’t go wrong with a treadmill.

In either case, to burn calories you need to exert yourself. Both machines offer a variety of challenging program. Most now come equipped with an “Interval Training” program. You alternate between high-level exertion and cool down periods. This type of training burns calories more efficiently in less time. With proper supervision from your doctor, try to push yourself to new limits.

I’m sorry I did not offer a definitive answer. It really is up to you to find the machine that best suites your needs, and will help you achieve your personal best.

In today's life exercising has achieved a lot of importance. Earlier people aged gracefully in their rocking chairs however today the elderly also understand the importance of exercise. They run, jog, walk, swim and do all possible things to keep themselves fit. Exercise is essential for living a healthy life.

There are several benefits of exercising. It helps in preventing many diseases associated with old age. Most of the heart diseases, diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure can all be prevented by doing exercise. Exercise is advised by the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the National Institutes of Health and the Arthritis Foundation. By having a half an hour long exercising session thrice a week, you can get rid of the diseases that occur with aging.

Maddi McDonough of Pembroke, Massachusetts is aged 66. She loves to exercise daily to stay fit. She takes around ten thousand steps every day. She has benefited tremendously from the regular exercise. Her cholesterol levels have gone down, her blood pressure is maintained and sciatica which had kept her bedridden has disappeared. She is one of the many people who have snapped pedometers onto their belts and joined the "10,000 steps club". She exclaims as to how she was able to hike up to the peak of Mt. Pilatus when she visited Switzerland. She says "I was able to hike while others just waited at the lodge". She also did white water rafting in Colorado. "I was even tempted to for bungee jumping in Australia, but I didn't do it!" she exclaims. It is important to exercise; the type of exercise doesn't matter much. You need to exercise thrice a week in order to stay fit and healthy.

New developments are being made in the field of medicine. Earlier The Arthritis foundation used to advise rest to the patients of osteoarthritis. However with changing times, this concept also changed. Nowadays you either exercise or get the diseases, the choice is yours. Joints will become inflexible and stiff if you don't use them regularly. Exercise helps to build strong muscles near to the joints, keep the joints flexible. It also helps in reducing the joint pain. However the pain is not relieved completely. In addition to all this, exercise also controls weight, promotes better sleep, increases energy, increases self esteem and decreases depression.

Marilyn Boynton, a 68 year old described herself as an old broad. However things began to change when he started tap dancing at the age of 59. Initially she had a lot of back pain while dancing but instead of giving up she joined a fitness club. Now, her back pain has bettered.

You should not straight away start with strenuous exercises. You should always start with mild exercises and then gradually increase it. You can have some strain or injuries in case you jump to strenuous exercises straight away. To make your exercise successful, follow the following steps advised by the American Heart Association.

* You need to consult your doctor before you start out with any exercise program in case you are overweight, haven't been active recently or have some chronic illness.
* You should do a number of exercises. You will get bored if do the same type of exercise regularly so choose a number of activities.
* You should start with mild exercises and then increase it slowly.
* It can get boring to exercise alone. Find out a friend and exercising will be much more fun!
* You must wear proper clothes and shoes while you are working out.
* You should exercise regularly, however there's no need to worry if you miss it for a day. Indulge in other types of physical activities to make up for it.
* Warming up is extremely important. You can have certain injuries if you don't warm up before the exercise. It is also important to cool down after the exercise.

You need to exercise to keep yourself healthy and fit. It is important if you want to lead a disease free life!

An interesting phenomenon is happening in the treadmill market these days: a lot of home treadmills are being called commercial grade treadmills. This can be very confusing for the treadmill buyer.

What's the difference between a commercial grade treadmill a home treadmill, and an actual commercial treadmill? This article will help clear the confusion, review the commercial grade treadmill and tell you what you need to know before buying.

First of all there are 2 main categories of treadmills: commercial and home treadmills.

Commercial treadmills differ from home treadmills in that they are made for harsher environments, like the gym or health club, and they are built to withstand frequent use. Because of this they are built with a much higher grade of components and subsequently cost more.

For example, most commercial treadmills come with a 4 ply treadbelt instead of the 2 ply treadbelt standard to most home treadmills. They also usually come with a much higher powered motor, built with heavier duty commercial parts.

Commercial treadmill prices are much higher and many of them start at $4000+ whereas home treadmills can range from $400 to $3000.

Here's where it can get confusing: Although there used to be more of a difference between commercial and home treadmills, the line is blurring as more and more people buy commercial grade treadmills for their homes.

Because of this, brands like Landice put out 2 versions of their treadmill lines: the Limited (or LTD) series of treadmills - built for high end home or light commercial use, and the Club series- built for heavy club or gym environments.

And former commercial treadmill brands who were once only available to markets like hotels and health clubs are now making their treadmills available to the home market - for a home treadmill price.

These treadmills can truly be called 'commercial grade' meaning they could be used as a commercial treadmill but is mainly suited for the high end home gym.

One thing to be aware of: I've also noticed that even the cheaper brands of home treadmills are now jumping on the bandwagon and calling their more expensive models 'commercial grade' treadmills.

These are not really commercial grade treadmills in my opinion - it simply means that the treadmill was built with heavier grade components than the other treadmills in that brand's line up.

Bottom line? If you're looking at commercial treadmills for a health club or gym, consider the brand. Make sure it is a well known commercial brand with a solid reputation. Some examples are Landice, LifeFitness and Star Trac.

If you're looking for a higher end 'commercial grade' treadmill for your home gym, consider a 'lighter' version of a commercial treadmill model or a home treadmill brand that specializes in making higher end treadmills. These will serve you just as well and cost you thousands less than a health club commercial unit.

One last tip: Keep in mind that commercial treadmills take up a lot more space than home treadmills and they're also much heavier. Make sure you have several strong lifters when you have the treadmill delivered or simply pay the extra to have it professionally delivered inside.

Beyond the many exercise items used within the home, such as jump ropes and exercise balls, there are numerous larger pieces of equipment that would make a fine addition to any workout area. A popular option making waves in the home exercise scene is the elliptical trainer, which provides a wide range of possibilities for losing weight and toning muscle.

One of the main reasons home exercisers are drawn to an elliptical trainer for their home gym is because it provides a workout with no impact. This is great for the preservation of joints that tend to sustain damage from outdoor activities, as well as running on a treadmill.

An elliptical trainer is the perfect choice for someone who suffers from joint pain or muscle stiffness. Other health problems that this piece of equipment accommodates include bad backs, knees and hips. It is also important to find a method of exercise to keep the heart pumping and blood flowing throughout the body.

Enjoy Resistance Training

Although an elliptical trainer offers no impact, there are several training exercises to enjoy, which provide varying levels of resistance. This provides positive results with increased bone density and healthy muscles. Users will also burn more calories, as well as benefit from the promotion of cell growth.

Work the Entire Body

When using an elliptical trainer, you will find that the workout uses both the lower and upper parts of the body. This means you will spend less time burning calories and toning muscle because you will be moving your arms and legs at the same time. Depending on the time you spend on the machine, the amount of calories burned can be compared to the amount lost when running miles. An elliptical trainer combines the same advantages as running on a treadmill and using a stair climber, meaning you will enjoy the benefits of all of these methods of exercise at once.

Budget Concerns

When you only have so much space to devote to your workouts and the equipment you wish to use, the elliptical trainer is a good option for you. This is because the trainers are smaller than the typical treadmill, as well as easier to move from place to place. Elliptical trainers are also good choices for those on a budget. It's almost like purchasing three machines in one.

It use to be if you wanted to buy a treadmill you were limited to your local fitness equipment store. Times have changed, and now you have the option to purchase from various local retailers, or on the Internet. So the question is, where is best place to get the best value? Below I review the pros and cons of various retailers, online and off.

Mass Merchants (Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target)

The large retailers generally sell cheap treadmills. These machines often have 90 day parts and labor warranties. ProForm and Weslo are examples of brand names. With cheap treadmills your chances of having service issues increases. The sales people usually have little to no knowledge of the equipment.

Large Sporting Goods Stores (Sports Authority, Dick’s Sporting Goods)

The large sporting goods chains carry cheap and moderate price treadmills. These include brands like ProForm, Horizon, Sole, Reebok and New Balance. The moderate priced machines come with 1 year service warranties, and will have fewer service problems in comparison to cheap models.

In some cases you will get a sales person that has a reasonably knowledge of the equipment, but not always. Getting waited on can be a problem, especially on the weekends. After 20 minutes of trying to get serve at Dick’s I finally gave up.

Fitness Specialty Stores

These stores specialize in fitness equipment, and that is all they sell. They offer moderate to commercial grade treadmills. Their moderate price brands include Spirit, PaceMaster and Vision Fitness. The high end models include True and Precor. Their staff is very competent, but can be pushy. They work on commission, so expect them to upsell you. With these types of stores you will pay a premium, but usually will receive good information and service.

Buying Treadmills Online

All of the above retailers usually sell through their web site. In fact, you probably will get a better selection online. In addition, you can purchase treadmills online directly from many of the manufacturers, and from sites that specialize in selling fitness equipment. Examples of companies that sell direct include ProForm, Smooth, Sole and New Balance. In some cases you can get a better deal buying direct, but not always.

At the very least the Internet is an excellent source for detailed information on various treadmills. It gives you an opportunity to shop and compare features, including the extent of the warranties. There are also a number of sites that provide professional and customer reviews. These include treadmill-ratings-reviews.com, treadmilldoctor.com and epinions.com. Consumerreports.org is also a good resource, but they charge a subscription fee.

Is There an Advantage to Buying Online?

In some instances you can save money buying online, particularly if you buy from an online retailer that does not have a location in your state. You save on the local state taxes. For example, with Smooth Fitness you only pay state taxes in New Jersey.

Some manufacturers dictate the selling price to all of their retailers, online and off. But others allow sellers to be competitive, in which case you may save 5%-10%. There are a number of brands that do not sell online, like PaceMaster, True and Precor.

Many of the online retailers include shipping in their sales price. But be aware that in most cases the free delivery is curbside, which means you must move the treadmill into your house. Often they will offer an additional turnkey service, where you can get the treadmill move indoors and set-up.

Regardless if you purchase online or off, it is important to be an informed consumer. Learn about the different features, and what you require to achieve your fitness goals. Avoid cheap treadmills, in the long run they can be very costly. Ultimately you want a treadmill that will withstand your level of exercise without being an overkill.

And most important, once you purchase your treadmill make sure you use it.

The Pilates Method, also known as Pilates or Pilates Exercises, is a physical fitness method developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Joseph Pilates sometimes referred to these exercises as Contrology, or to put it simply, the way through which one learns to use the mind to control the muscles in the body.

The Pilates Method focuses on the core postural muscles that keep the body balanced and provide support to the spine. The Pilates Method also involves the learning of awareness of breath and alignment of the spine. It focuses on strengthening of the torso muscles that are important to ease and prevent back pain.

Pilates equipment used for training is interesting if it is nothing else. You will come across names like Reformer and Cadillac. There are several types of Pilates equipment and props that can be used during Pilates training.

The Reformer was the first Pilates equipment to come into use when Joseph Pilates was interned in England during the First World War. During that time he spent a lot of time training people from Scotland Yard and at the same time helping with the rehabilitation of bed ridden patients that were suffering from the 1918 influenza epidemic.

The Reformer is made of a series of springs attached to a sliding platform. The whole thing is supported by a frame. With a little imagination it can start resembling a rowing machine. The platform can be moved by either pulling the pulleys or by pushing on the foot bar. When you are on the Reformer, the platform is moving and maintaining balance can become difficult but that is where the exercising of the muscles comes into play. There are many exercises that can be performed on the Reformer.

Another popular Pilate’s equipment is the Cadillac. Due to its appearance the Cadillac can give people mental images of medieval torture racks. Please be assured that it is completely safe. The Cadillac consists of a platform with posts on all four corners. It is somewhat like a bed with the corner posts providing various levers and pullets that provide support as well as resistance during your Pilates workout.

Since the time of Joseph Pilates, more than 80 separate exercises have evolved and all of these can be performed on the Cadillac. Each of these 80 exercises focuses on a specific group of muscles in the body. A lot of exercises focus on the development of the body's core strength in the abdomen.

A note of caution with regard to Pilate’s equipment and exercise: Do not use either without a thorough demonstration from an experience Pilate’s exerciser.

If you're looking to purchase an elliptical machine, then it's worthwhile taking a look at the Precor range of elliptical machines. Precor is a well-known brand, and have a reputation for producing high quality machines that last. Even better, they're designed with the needs of the user firmly in mind, so that you will find them comfortable and easy to use when you do your workout. Elliptical machines tend to have a hard life, so you need to buy a machine that can take the punishment you dish out, and Precor is a great choice for durability.

As well as durability, you also need an elliptical machine that's strong. There are also lots of other features available that make it easier for you to get the most out of using your elliptical machine. These include things like calorie counters, and specific programs designed to increase your strength. The good thing about Precor elliptical machines is they have more than one model available, which makes it easier to find one that suits your needs and is also affordable. It's this combination of quality, durability, affordability and range of options that has made Precor one of the market leaders in elliptical machines.

Spend some time doing your research, and you'll soon realize why Precor has such a great reputation. Many sites offer consumer ratings of elliptical machines, so they're a great place to start when you want to find out which machine you should buy. You can also read consumer reviews, which are written by the people who actually use the machines, and so are best placed to tell you what's good or bad about each one. Reviews also give you a feel for how easy it is to use a machine, and whether the various features are simple to access and implement. Once you've looked at all the information available, chances are you'll find that Precor has great reviews as well as a machine that will fulfill your requirements at a reasonable price.