Fitness at Home

If hitting the road in your runners or schlepping to the fitness club isn't your thing, don’t worry. You can still get this done. Introducing … the home gym! Here’s what you need (and what you don’t) in order to get started.

__“__Muscles develop when they're challenged against resistance,” says Danny Kavadlo, personal trainer based in New York City. “Lifting something heavy builds and tones them.” You can start small, get a pair of 10-pound dumbbells and then add heavier weights as you get stronger. “Plus, the 10s won’t take up half your living room,” Kavadlo says.

To buy: Valeo Hand Weights, $24

This doesn’t have to mean buying an official workout bench, says Debi Silber, a dietitian and personal trainer. A sturdy chair or bench from your home will do the trick. “From step-ups to chair dips, decline pushups, working your abs and more, a chair or bench can be used for exercises to strengthen almost any part of your body,” she says.

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They’re cheap, easy to stash, and will give you a full-body toning workout, says Helen M. Ryan, personal trainer in Los Angeles. “The unique aspect of exercise bands is that your muscles work in both directions—during the pull phase and the release phase,” she says. “And bands can give you some of the best booty-shaping around!” You can also use the band to stretch out shoulders, hamstrings and back.

To buy: Gaiam Resistance Cord Kit, $15

“Look for coupons and specials for online fitness retailers,” says Ryan. “They often have overstock at a big discount.” And, get creative with household items. Try a firm pillow instead of a stability ball or grab a baby to use as extra weight while doing a squat. If you prefer your kiddo just watch, consider plastic dumbbells. “They're just as good as metal,” Ryan says.

“Pull-ups are the best way to target upper back and biceps,” says Kavadlo. You can find inexpensive pull-up bars for home that span your doorway. We know, pull-ups equal not so fun. But don’t worry about the pull-up part, Kavadlo says. “Even if you can't perform one, just hanging from the bar (or with arms flexed) strengthens the body.”

To buy: Iron Gym Workout Bar, $26

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Avoid buying machines dedicated to single body part, says Ryan. “An ab machine, a pull-down unit, or any exercise machine—they’re a waste of money and space,” she says. Also, you can skip pricey home cardio machines like treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes, says Tamara Grand, a personal trainer. “They take up a lot of space at home. You can get a great cardio workout with a jump rope.”

“The stability ball is one of the most underrated exercise apparatuses,” says Ryan. "It's incredibly versatile." Perfect for toning your abdominal area, you can also use the ball to work your inner thighs. You may also want a soft medicine ball or weighted ball, Ryan says. “You can toss it, squat with it, press it overhead, lunge with it, plank with it, crunch with it, even squeeze it between your knees."

To buy: Isokinetics Exercise Ball, $11

Sure, your cushy carpet might be working just fine, but an extra layer of comfort never hurt anyone. “A good mat provides great cushioning for elbows, lower back, wrists, etc., during floor exercises like planks, crunches, or back bridges,” Kavadlo says. “The soft surface can help your performance.”

To buy: Empower Deluxe Fitness Mat, $30

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Actually, nothing. The trainers we spoke to feel that the whole “it’s gonna cost an arm and a leg” is the biggest myth about creating a home gym. “Recent trends in fitness have focused on whole body, functional-style training, including body weight exercises, plyometrics and standing free weights work,” says Grand. All you really need are the key pieces mentioned, a challenging workout and the nerve to stick with your plan to get fit.