The Best Exercise Equipment

I often get asked, “Laura, what do you think is the best exercise equipment?” My answer is always, “Whatever you will use!”

Let’s face it there are a lot of ways to get fit, and there is no shortage of late night infomercials to sell you the next best piece of equipment or workout DVD guaranteed to make you look like a supermodel in 30 days for four easy payments of $19.99, no, make that THREE easy payments of $19.99 if you order in the next 20 minutes…

Turn off the TV and go for a walk.

On these pages I want to help you narrow down your choices when looking for the best fitness equipment so you can find equipment that works for you, without throwing your money away. Too many people buy a new piece of equipment because it looks like a great new fad, and then it becomes a coat-hanger in their bedroom.

Here is some home fitness equipment that you can buy for a very small investment, so you can set up a home gym. You don’t need a lot of space for most of this equipment, and you will have absolutely, positively no excuse not to work out. Have the kids join in with you, kids love to copy their moms, and you are also setting a terrific example.

The once piece of equipment everyone needs: A Heart Rate Monitor (for sure!)

Before you go out and buy a bunch a stuff, I want to tell you that the one thing I truly believe you need to get in great shape is absolutely, positively a heart rate monitor. It is so important to train using a heart rate monitor because you can track your progress, your calories, your heart rate, your recovery rate, and so much more. Please don’t run out and get a fancy schmanzy one, because all you need to get started is a basic heart rate monitor.

I’ve been using the Timex Ironman heart rate monitor for over three years, and I trained for, and ran, two marathons and two half marathons using it. It’s so reliable, and it costs less than $70. This little guy always does what I need it to do the most…it shows me my heart rate when I am pushing my hardest and then it shows me when I’m not pushing hard enough, and then it shows me when I am recovered enough to push again.

I know peeps that use very expensive and very difficult to use heart rate monitors and they end up getting a simple one like the Timex for HIIT training because it’s just easy to use.

So please consider getting a heart rate monitor when shopping for your best exercise equipment if you are really looking to get into great shape. This is my fave one:

Here is some additional information on heart rate training and why it accellerates fat loss.

7 Ideas for the Best Exercise Equipment for Your Home

• Exercise bands are great because they take up no space at all and you can travel with them. They come in weights from 5 to 50 pounds, or you can combine two together to customize your own routine.
• Kettle bells are fun and easy to use weights because they have a handle, just like a handbag, you can pretend like you are shopping while you are lifting.
• Rebounders are a great, no impact way to work out. Your kids will definitely want in on this one, because it’s so much fun to bounce.
• Medicine balls come in weights from 2 pounds and up, and are a terrific way to work your upper body and your core!
• Stability balls are great because they can be used for tons of exercises from core to butt to arms. Anything can be worked on a stability ball.
• Jump ropes are great for cardio and they torch calories. Why do you think boxers use them for training, they are intense and a lot of fun!
• Good old dumbbells. You should have a few pairs in weights that you can handle. Begin with 5, 8 and 10 pounders, and then increase as you get stronger. Dumbbells take up very little, and contrary to their name, “dumb” bells they are really a smart piece of equipment to invest in!

But remember, sometimes the very best exercise equipment is sitting right at the bottom of your ankles, YOUR OWN TWO FEET. So grab your sneakers and get moving!