Getting to a gym on a regular basis can be expensive and time-consuming, but working out at home also can be tough if you have limited space. Small exercise equipment, such as a treadmill or a stationary bike, can help you work out at home without taking up lots of room.
BOSU Ball
Invented in the late 1990s by fitness enthusiast David Weck, the BOSU ball essentially is a fitness ball cut in half and mounted on a flat, rigid surface. Using both sides of the ball, you can create unique exercises or modify old classics to create a workout routine that targets your core and legs by requiring more balance and resistance than traditional exercises. For instance, the BOSU ball can be turned upside-down, with the ball side touching the floor, and, using the handles, you can do push-ups. The instability of the ball on the floor makes your arms work harder to keep you balanced. Best of all, it's a small piece of equipment that can be stored under a bed or in a closet.
Free Weights
A simple set of free weights can be stacked in a corner or lined up under a bed and pulled out when needed for exercise. Free weights are effective for weight training and muscle conditioning and can be used to work any part of the body--especially when combined with traditional, equipment-free exercises, such as lunges or sit-ups.
Exercise Bands
Isometric exercise can help maintain muscle mass and improve joint strength, says Dr. Edward Laskowski of the Mayo Clinic. Exercise bands are an excellent way to get a isometric workout or even a strength-training workout. Isometric exercise with bands stretch muscles using resistance that is held for a certain period, such as 10 or 20 seconds. Users wanting to build muscle can do multiple reps with an exercise band to create a simple weight-training workout. Resistance bands come in all shapes and sizes, but are all small enough to be stored easily, even in a dresser drawer.
Medicine Ball
A weighted ball adds resistance to certain exercises. Most standard medicine balls weigh 5 to 30 pounds, and they usually are not much bigger than a basketball. A medicine ball can enhance exercises such as lunges and sit-ups or simply can be raised and lowered to work your arm muscles.
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