Build a Home Gym
Worried that winter hibernation will leave you looking like an
overstuffed bear in next summer's swimsuit? Never fear: you can create a
home gym that will help you emerge looking and feeling your best, at a
fraction of what you might expect it to cost.
You don't need fancy exercise equipment, says Doria Rosa, former
coordinator for the Rhode Island Hospital Fitness Center, which is
operated by the YMCA of Greater Providence. "For a good
cardiovascular workout, turn up the stereo and boogie down," she
advises. "Any activity that elevates your heart rate and keeps it
elevated for at least twelve minutes strengthens your heart and lungs, and
burns calories."
You can also turn your TV room into a personal aerobics studio. Get off
the sofa and into the swing with an exercise video. They help trim fat and
build self-confidence. "Before buying, rent a variety of videos to
see which ones suit your workout," suggests Rosa. Add a yoga or Tai
Chi video to your collection. Relieving stress, increasing flexibility,
and focusing on the mind/body connection are key to total fitness.
For muscle toning, build your own body bar. Take a trip to the hardware
store for four feet of one-inch diameter PVC piping. Fill it with cement sand and seal the ends with PVC caps. Your homemade body bar is a versatile weight for leg or arm raises and can also be used in aerobic
routines.
Stretchable resistance bands also build muscle and are easier on the
joints than a bar. They can be pricey (up to $50 for a set of three), so
shop a local office supply store for extra large (1/2-inch wide, 7-inch diameter) rubber bands. Tying two
together will do the trick. And don't forget soup cans and sand-filled
plastic milk bottles--they double for hand weights.
No matter how you choose to exercise, the most important thing, says
Rosa, is to just do it: "Don't make a resolution to start next
week; start now. Anything you do for your body is better than doing
nothing at all."
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