Joining a gym is not a requirement for weight loss. You can achieve an effective workout in your own home, regardless of your budget. The best home exercise equipment for weight loss must meet your specific needs. Before making an investment, consider what type of movement appeals to you, what physical limitations you may have and how much space you have to devote to your "gym."
Big Budget
If you have a generous budget, consider investing in a machine like a treadmill or an elliptical trainer. A treadmill allows you to walk or run indoors and is appropriate for all fitness levels. Running on a treadmill, at a rate of just 5 mph for an hour helps a 160-lb person burn nearly 600 calories, according to the Mayo Clinic. An elliptical offers a similar calorie-burn rate, but without impact, so it might be preferable to someone with joint or back problems. Both cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000 as of 2010. Know that you will have to devote about 30 square feet for either piece of equipment.
Moderate Budget
If you are looking to spend less, invest in a stability ball, an aerobic step and varying sizes of dumbbells. As of 2010, the total cost of this equipment ranges from $200 to $300. With this equipment, you can effectively burn calories with a circuit of strength and cardio---alternating strength training exercises with cardio blasts in quick succession. This approach burns at least 30 percent more calories than single set weight training, reports the "Fitness" magazine website. With your step, perform cardio moves like knee ups, running up and down and over-the-tops. Use the step as a weight bench to do moves like chest presses or dips. You may also perform strength training exercises while lying on the stability ball to train your core.
Small Budget
If you have little money and space, inexpensive equipment like a jump rope and resistance tubing can still help you lose weight. Jumping rope burns 730 calories in an hour for a 160-lb. person, reports the Mayo Clinic. While you may be challenged to sustain a steady hour of jumping rope, you can break your session up into 20-minute segments and do them at different intervals throughout the day. Resistance tubing---quarter-inch round latex tubes that stretch like rubber bands---is inexpensive and easy to store. One tube costs about $10 as of 2010. Use the tubing to build muscle through moves like biceps curls, chest presses, back rows, triceps extensions and squat to shoulder presses. By developing more lean muscle mass, you improve your appearance so that when you lose weight, you look tight and toned rather than soft. Muscle tissue also burns more calories at rest than does fat, helping you manage your weight more efficiently.
Member Comments
jennhh November 2
I don't know any overweight people that could jump rope for 5 minutes straight, much less 20 minutes or an hour. Get real, Livestrong.
jllawson31 November 2
That is why you must begin at intervals and slowly work to more time on the rope. Yes it is harder being overweight, but that is the point of doing it, to LOOSE weight. It will never be EASY to loose weight, you must work, and YES it is going to hurt, or it isnt working!
Biglou1 November 2
Hey they are getting real! Its sounds like you have already given up without putting your whole heart into this. This is your life and overweight people have to make BIG changes to become healthy. I know, I used to 500lbs!
phordant November 2
I don't know any overweight people who could, and I know a good many average-weight people who can not run 5 minutes straight, either. "Couch to 5K" routines are quite popular, and are at their core progressive intensity interval training, mixing running with walking at a greater and greater ratio.
c14ud14 November 2
I agree with jennh and further add that 20 minutes of jumping rope is also difficult for someone who IS NOT overweight. Instead of suggesting an hour of jump rope (or, equally bad, intervals of jump rope throughout the day), I wish this article had suggested something more realistic and helpful, like 20-min intervals of different exercises IN A ROW to accumulate an hour.
SarahDeeds November 2
You have to have the mind set of achieving the unachievable. If you see yourself accomplishing a goal then you will. If you can not visualize it then it is going to be very hard for you to achieve. Your body is like an incubator what you think about and meditate on is what your body is going to birth. Say to yourself that you will start with 5 minutes a day then the next week work your way up to 10 and then the following week add another 5 minutes eventually you will be able to jump rope for an hour. Start with so many minutes in the morning then do more in the afternoon, then some right before bed, challenge yourself. Your body may tell you that you can not achieve this goal but God created every human with an amazing powerful mind. Set your thought process on achieving goals and you will. I promise. :) Don't take my word put it to the test.
PattyAnn1006 November 2
People, everything they write are suggestions. You find the one that works for you. The point is to try something - anything - that will get you to the first move onto the second move and on and on. No one is claiming it will be easy - if it were, no one would be overweight. But try and if you are the one to make it to 5 minutes, a hearty congratulations. But if you only make it one minute, good for you too. Try again and see if you can beat your best time. But don't defeat yourself before you try. Remember, if you think you CAN or you think you CAN'T, either way you are going to be right.
refazenda November 2
A few years ago I'd gotten so out of shape that even walking for twenty minutes was difficult. I started by walking around the nearby high school track once a day, got up to two, and created my own dance/aerobic routine I could do in my apartment so no one would see me (I was very self-conscious). After a short time of exercising and sticking to my diet routine I was able to see incremental changes. Recently I joined a boot camp and could not do even one squat thrust. A month later I can do a few. I'm still slow compared to my classmates, but I've improved compared to *me*, and that's what counts.
chefseth November 2
I think they did a fine job with this article I feel the point they are trying to make is that no matter your budget there are things you can do to get some exercise in. They are not saying pick up a jump rope and do it for an hour it was merely an example if you don't want to work hard to lose weight and get fit why are you on this site? I have been using this sites tips and resources for about 6 weeks now I work a busy schedule and we have 3 small children. I started weighing almost 300lbs and now I am down to 260lbs and my wife has lost almost 20lb just by making an effort to exercise more (as little as 2 times a week). By watching what we eat increasing our fruits and vegetables and drinking more water! I find it very frustrating to come to this site for some encouragement and inspiration on my weight lose journey and have people leaving negative comments! I think they do an excellent job posting lots of helpful information and motivational articles. I personally want to thank all of the people that work hard at making this site possible!
lindsay1711 November 2
I think that we also have to keep in mind that you can easily find a gently used treadmill online for a decent price. Not everyone wants to monotonously jump rope for 20 minutes. I suppose the same could be true for running, but don't let budge keep you from doing the workout you feel would work best for you!
sspeed November 2
I want to see a video of the author jumping rope for 20min to see if it can really be done, even boxers don't jump rope for 20min straight.. When I was in great shape it was a challenge to jump rope for more than 2-3 min straight.
This site is great for inspiration and tips, but jumping rope for 20min straight is not realistic for almost anyone, not to mention how tedious that would be.
rudyespinosa November 2
I would be interested in the author clearing up the 20 minute jump roping. Hopefully, it is 20 minutes with 60 or 30 second breaks in between 2 to 3 minutes of jumping. I can do 30 minutes assuming I take these type of breaks. I only began jumping last year at 41 and I agree with everyone that 20 minutes sounds like a bit too much.
JacquieJaye November 2
i jump rope 10 to 30 minutes depending on my schedule. I of course "trip" every so often and count that as my "breaks". But I dropped 20lbs thanks to just dedicating at least 10minutes a day to jumping.
A4fdliz01 November 2
I too thought "never ever could I do that at 250 lbs" - but guess what? I can. I signed up for a C25K course in the spring and I've been running 5 k 3 times a week for months now. Its all about attitude - and having a great workout partner.
dowuchyalike November 2
As a personal trainer, I do a lot of home workouts with clients and I find the the mini trampoline a much more useful piece of apparatus than a jump rope. Sure, it's not a portable but it's easier to stick at and much more versatile. Don't get me wrong, jump rope is good but this article should've mentioned the trampoline as well.
25lbs2go November 2
the point is you have to move it to lose it, and stay consistant.even if you can only do the exercise for 2 mintues longs as it is more than what you have been doing keep doing it for 2 mintues everyday and you will see results.
janai11 November 2
I absolutely love jumping rope and try to do it from 45 mins to an hour but it kills my knees after a while. I'd still recommend it!
imthamouth November 2
In what way would seeing the author jump rope for 20 minute change whether or not it's good for you? Seriously, if you want to lose some weight, don't scoff at anyone that doesn't offer you an easy way to do it. I'm not overweight, but I have Cystic Fibrosis (my lungs are pretty gunked up) and I jump rope 20 minutes STRAIGHT at least four times a week, because I WANT to be the most fit me I can. If you WANT to jump rope for 20 minutes you'll practice and get better at it, and you'll get there.
dragonfly180 November 2
this article also fails to add that an inexpensive way to work out at home is through dvds. i would consider that equipment because without them i never would have learned safe and effective form for such exercises as squats and lunges or proper form for many yoga poses.
kdegre20 November 2
so, if you or someone u know cant jump rope for 20 minutes,have them do 6 intervals of 10 minutes.....working your way up is key...i weighed426 lbs in march of 2010 and when is started working out to loose weight, i walked EVERYWHERE - now just a meer 8 months later I have lost 110 pounds and have started jogging - it doesnt take long to build up your stamina to be able to jump up to 3 - 20 minutes intervals and then eventually go for an hour straight...
profitwellness November 2
As mentioned by 'chefseth', while the jumping rope tip may or may not be realistic for some, the point of the article was to highlight exercise options for working out, regardless of your budget. You don't need an expensive gym membership in order to work out. If jumping rope isn't an option, there are others. Also, congrats on your progress 'chefseth'!
alecJ November 3
Couldn't agree more with jennhh! And what about the age factor or pre-existing medical conditions? By the way jlawson, do you need some spelling exercises - for about an hour a day?
irisheyez13 November 3
Basically, jennyhh is just lazy and complains too much. But the sad thing is that she brings other people into her complaints, rather than owning up to it herself.
Cgreen6215 November 3
Another way to get a gently used treadmill is a second-hand sporting goods store. Where I live, Play it Again Sports sells all kinds of equipment. Also I saw a treadmill at a local thrift store. I don't have the space required for one, but I'm just sayin'...
sjr0505 November 3
30 square feet of space for a treadmill?!! hahaha Wow that's a BIG machine!
wild_chyld November 3
I completely disagree with jennhh...I have been my heaviest at 218 pounds and could still jump rope more than even a skinny person did.It all just depends on what your body is used to and ur determination!
jwsw1990 November 3
It is not about whether or not you can do it, it is about whether or not you WANT to do it. Jillian Michaels of The Biggest Loser once said, "I can't help you if you do not want to help yourself."
Some things are way beyond our capability, even though I am just about 57kg, I still couldn't jump a rope (blame me for my poor coordination, Haha) but I still could do many stuffs to replace this exercise.
I now work out in the gym 3 times a week, and have been training floorball (it is a very cool sport, you should try it) 3 times per week. And been feeling great since doing all these. Never would I thought I could have the strength and stamina to last.
So, it is not whether or not you can do it, it is all about your willpower and determination. Like what they always say, "Never try, never know." ))
tlparry November 3
Wow, this was simply a suggestion for weight loss (and exercise in general). Don't people complain of getting "bored" with their workout. While it might not be the most realistic mode of exercise, I think those that told livestrong to 'get real' should 'lighten up.' Jumping rope is a great alternative for cardio. Quit counting yourself and others out before you actually try.
The only disability in life is a bad attitude - Scott Hamilton
momemery November 3
I agree. The jump rope idea is very cheap and easy to consider. Try it out and go until you can't then rest and start again. I like the idea of the bands too using them like a rowing machine...sounds doable to me. I am in and going to give these ideas a try. Simple and easy sounds good to me. Willing to try is what it is about.
Rocky74 November 20
You are wrong about boxers not jumping rope for 20 min. I used to kickbox and had no problem doing it, I have no problem doing it now .... it has to start somewhere right?