Exercise Equipment Doesn't Have To Be Expensive

It's probably a safe bet that just about everyone reading this has, at one time or another, invested some money in buying exercise equipment.

Some no doubt have spent thousands with the best of intentions, maybe even set a schedule to workout for 30 minutes 4 times a week. Maybe you stuck to the schedule for a month or two. But it's also a pretty safe bet that the expensive piece of equipment is now gathering dust in the garage of has already been unloaded at a garage sale. Perhaps it's already been replaced by the newest, shiniest, prettiest, and most effective exercise equipment on the market.

There's got to be a better way, and in fact there is. Funny thing about that equipment, it doesn't work unless you actually use it. What we're saying here is that it all starts with you. You have to decide not only to stick to whatever exercise program you choose, you also need to complement it with proper diet. That doesn't necessarily mean cutting way back on the calories (although for some it will mean that), but generally it means making the decision to eat healthier.

So let's start with a clean slate, assuming you have nothing gathering dust in your garage or shed. You will need to purchase some small exercise equipment, we recommend Bodylastics for under $50, but whatever you choose you want to start inexpensive. Consider a ball to help with your flexibility and some small weights for your muscles. Either way it won't run you into debt. You can get an inexpensive dumbbell set for your arms and leg weights to use when walking to strengthen your legs. Total cost of all this would be under $75 dollars, cheaper if you hit some local garage sales or read the classifieds in the newspaper.

But don't stop there. Now you want to set up a diet plan depending on what you want to accomplish. If your goal is to gain muscle, include plenty of protein. If you're too thin, add some fats. You'll find most nutritionists and body builders say this is necessary to gain muscle. If you want to drop a few pounds, obviously cut down on the fats and sugars.

When your diet plan is complete, design your exercise program using the equipment you've purchased. The plan is now in place an it's up to you to execute it. It wouldn't hurt to let a few people in on your plan. It can serve as motivation to stick with it if you know people are watching. Then when you start to see results this will serve as even more motivation. And once you develop these new habits, you may even want to reward yourself with a great home gym.