Senior Fitness on a Budget: Building a Home Gym

Even with a senior discount, going to the gym can still sometimes be inconvenient. For some going to a crowded gym, may even be intimidating. This is where a home gym can be very helpful. Even on a fixed income and with limited space for fancy exercise equipment, you can still build a home gym that will provide you with a convenient, effective and affordable workout. If you are a senior looking to build a home gym on a budget, here are some must-have pieces for your new home gym.

1. Jump Rope. If you have not played with a jump rope since your childhood, you have probably forgotten how great of a piece of workout equipment a jump rope can be. Fact: Did you know that the jump rope is the least expensive piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment that you can buy? As an adult, you can reap the cardiovascular benefits of jumping rope. In fact, the benefits of jumping rope are even more effective than running on a treadmill. Using a jump rope burns more calories per minute than you would if you were running on a treadmill.
2. Agility Ladder. An agility ladder is a lightweight piece of equipment that can easily fold up and be stored under a bed, in a closet, in your garage or even under the couch. Simply lay your agility ladder out where ever you have the space. This may be in your living room, in your backyard, in the basement or even in the garage. You can skip, jump, shuffle and hope through the spaces on your ladder. It’s much like the hopscotch game you may have played during your childhood. Using an agility ladder is a great way to help burn calories and boost the health of your cardiovascular system.
3. Resistance Bands. Resistance bands are one of the most inexpensive and versatile pieces of workout equipment you can have in your home gym. They are small, lightweight, travel well and be stored virtually anywhere in your home. Resistance bands are great for incorporating into strength training exercises.
4. Cardio Step. A cardio step is going to be more expensive than your resistance bands or your jump rope. However, this pieces of exercise equipment is very durable and is excellent for engaging in aerobic activity. You can also use it during resistance training as well as core training. If you are unsure of what types of exercises to do with your cardio step, simply pop in your favorite aerobics dvd and get exercising.
5. Dumbbells. A few sets of lightweight dumbbells can really add to your workout routine. Purchase 3lb, 5lb and 10lb dumbbells. These can be purchased at your local sporting goods store or at most mass retailers. Dumbbells are inexpensive and are great for incorporating into your strength training routine. Lightweight dumbbells can also be used with brisk walking to add some strength training to a simple walking routine.
6. Exercise Mat. An exercise mat is an essential piece of equipment for any home gym. An exercise mat is great for completing floor exercises. These mats are affordable and can be rolled up and stored anywhere you have a little extra space.
7. Stability Ball. When purchasing a stability ball, you may also notice that some stability balls will be called exercise balls. Stability balls can be used for core training and can make more traditional exercises a little more on the challenging side. If you spend some time at a computer, you may also want to consider swapping out your desk chair for a stability ball. This will help strengthen your core muscles as well as help with proper posture.

Building a home gym does not have to be something that happens overnight. Start little by little purchasing the products you are interested in. When you are ready to add to your home gym, you can simply purchase another piece of equipment.