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Workout from Home

If you want to workout from home versus going to the gym, then you too are among thousands of others.

Not everyone feels comfortable working out in front of other people. Nor do they always have the time to get to the gym or perhaps there is not a gym close by.

Exercising at home does not mean you are limited in what you can do. With the right exercise equipment, workout DVDs or even just walking shoes, you can get active and burn calories.

Depending on what types of exercises you want to do from home will determine what type of equipment or accessories you will need. You can go for the full range of exercises with a home gym, treadmill or elliptical or just select a few good DVDs that cover both aerobics and strength training. Below are a few options and benefits of working out from home.

Workout from Home with Home Gyms

If you want a gym quality workout without going to the gym then a home gym like a Bowflex may be the right choice for you. Although home gyms can get rather expensive, they do offer a variety of strength training exercises to work all your muscles.

One advantage of working out from home with your own home gym is no waiting in line and you can use it any time that is convenient for you. No longer do you have to wait your turn for a specific machine at your local gym.

Instead, you have first priority and there’s never any waiting when you workout from home. Of course the best advantage is that you will be building lean muscles and increasing your metabolism. Weight bearing exercises help tighten and tone your muscles for a leaner body.

The main disadvantage to a workout from home using a home gym is you do not get the long sustained cardio workouts. Some manufacturers of home gyms are now offering cardio equipment like Bowflex’s TreadClimber. This machine is like a stair stepper and treadmill in one piece of equipment. With the TreadClimber you burn twice as many calories versus using just a treadmill.

Workout at Home with a DVD Exercise Program

Exercise videos are a great way to mix up your routine and add some variety when you workout from home. With a DVD it’s easy and convenient and inexpensive to workout from home when ever you want. Just push the furniture out of the way, pop in the DVD and start burning calories. Working out at home doesn’t have to be boring or repetitious with a DVD exercise program. They are great for beginners to advance exercisers.

There are hundreds of exercise DVDs available for purchase online or in stores. Each offers something a bit different so you are sure to find something that fits your exercise needs. Many come with additional equipment like a resistance band, exercise ball or even an amp bar. Here are just a few of my favorites to select from to kick start your workout sessions.

Tae Bo Amped Billy Blanks is the undisputed king of kickboxing. His workouts have been around for years and have helped thousands get fit. Now with the new “Amped” series he really kicks it up a notch. With his well known kick boxing and taekwondo combination he introduces additional challenge with the 3 pound amp bar. This is one tough but great workout. I purchased this a few months ago and include it in my weekly routine.
Denise Austin You can never go wrong with any of her DVDs. Denise Austin has been helping people of all ages get fit for many years. One of my favorites is her “Power Zone” which is a great metabolism boosting workout. I purchased this DVD several years ago and it came with a free resistance band. She makes a full variety of exercise DVDs that cover aerbics and strength training. So there is bound to be one that fits your needs.
Richard Simmons Sweatin to the Oldies Not everyone is a fan of Richard’s but if you are into rock and roll and an upbeat workout, then his “Sweatin to the Oldies” is a great DVD set. I love rock and roll and love this fun workout. The great thing about Richard is he has been there and done that so he understands what it takes to lose a lot of weight. His extreme upbeat attitude is a bit over the top but his workouts will get you moving and burning calories. If rock and roll is not your thing he has a variety of DVDs that will fit your music and exercise style.
Pilates Another one of my favorite DVDs in my weekly workout routine is Pilates. The first time I did Pilates I thought “this is not so tough. I’m not even sweating”. But believe me when I say you feel the difference the next day. Pilates is a great way to develop strength, flexibility and coordination. This type of workout really works all your muscles and really gives my core muscles a fantastic workout. Some of the moves take a bit of getting used to and my feel awkward until you get the hang of it.

These are just a few examples of some great exercise DVDs you can add to your workout from home routine. Believe me I’ve just scratched the surface of what is available. The main disadvantage to DVDs is that you have to buy before you try in many cases. If you are unsure of what DVDs fit your exercise needs, then here is a website I came across (videofitness.com) with many reviews of hundreds of DVDs. Just select the type of workout you want or from their drop down in the upper right corner select “search VF” and type in a DVD you want to see a review on.

Another way is to rent it before you buy it. I have started using my Netflix account to give them a try first (if they have the DVD) and rent it first. If I like it, then I can buy it on Amazon, E-bay or direct from a store. Remember you don’t need every DVD on the market to mix up your workout, just pick a few to start with and build it from there.

Workout from Home with a Treadmill or Eliptical

woman working out on elliptical machine

Treadmills and elipticals offer a great way to get a good cardio workout regardless of the weather outside. Although most gyms have treadmills and elliptical machines, having one in your own home keeps your workout from home schedule more flexible and convenient. Besides, a crowded gym means waiting in line for equipment to become available. Instead, invest in a treadmill or elliptical that offers a great workout in your home.

With your own cardio equipment you can walk, jog or even run indoors on your own schedule. You can mix and match your routines adding some strength training in between, increase the incline, alternate between walking and sprinting or what ever workout routines you design to keep it varied and burn calories.

Treadmills and elliptical machines are less costly than a full home gym and can be easily tucked away in a corner when you are done. Another advantage with these machines is you can multi task. You can set the timer for dinner, hop on your machine and get a quick 30 minute workout while dinner is cooking. If you opt for a slower walking workout you can even read a book or catch your favorite TV show. Just as a warning however, be sure you still stay focused on your workout and don’t slow down too much because of being distracted.

Another great and fun option to workout from home is the Wii Fit.

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