In order to be in the best possible health you need to get enough activity. But if your finances are a bit tight, you might not be able to afford expensive gym memberships or home exercise equipment.
In that case, SFGate has some advice for you.
First, what not to buy:
A reader asked, “I’d like to know more about ROM The 4 Minute Fitness Workout. The equipment purchase price is so outrageous at $14,000! It has all the markings of a scam, but is it possible to be true?”
And what was their advice?
A four-minute workout probably won’t help… properly-done exercises take more time than 4 minutes daily.
And the pros agree: “If the four-minute workout truly worked, Tufts University exercise physiologist Miriam Nelson says, “everything we know about fitness and metabolism would be wrong. I just don’t buy it.”
I would have to agree with that recommendation. Why? Because you don’t have to spend $14,000 for exercise equipment, even if it does work.
If you aren’t exercising currently you can start walking. That can make a huge difference in your fitness level.
If you are already walking you can take it up a notch. Start to jog. Joggers can run. Runners can sprint.
If your joints or other physical problems keep you from running, there are other options.
…in addition to resistance bands, other low-cost equipment purchases include adjustable dumbbells or a jumprope.
Jumping rope gives a very good high-intensity workout. But it is very strenuous and it’s not for everybody.
But the resistance bands and the light dumbbells are for everyone. You can go from one pound of resistance to hundreds of pounds. And with a little creativity you can work every area of the body.
It will make you stronger, leaner, and improve your flexibility and balance.
They had a few other recommendations as well.
Canned goods. Turn canned goods into custom dumbbells.
Milk, juice or water jugs. Fill empty containers or jugs with water or sand and seal the top with duct tape. When your fitness level increases, simply add more water or sand.
Step stools. Use a sturdy step stool for step training — an aerobic exercise resembling stair climbing.
Kitchen Chairs. Turn chairs into a dipping station, use the chair for incline push ups, etc.
I’m not so sure about these last items. You can take things too far.
If you are trapped on an island or in prison, fine, use what you have.
But if not these are difficult to workout with. Milk jugs don’t have good balance. The step stool might be OK, but it would have to be strong and you have to make sure not to lose your balance.
In the end you’re probably better off with jogging, exercise bands and body weight exercises like pushups and knee bends. Done right those can get you into fantastic shape.
Don’t think so? That’s how they do it in the Army. Take a look at some of the guys as they finish basic training. Lean, fit and healthy.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/dollarsandsense/detail?entry_id=55314