Weight loss comes down to burning more calories than you take in. Both cardio and strength training help move you closer to that goal, but you don't have to put together an entire home gym to lose weight. Even if you have invested in major home exercise equipment, there are other exercise products you can use to supplement your workouts.
Foam Dumbbells
Water aerobics provide an intense, low-impact workout. You might not even notice how hard you're working out at first; the water keeps you cool and reduces the load on your joints, allowing increased range of motion.
Foam dumbbells float instead of sinking like regular weights would. But more importantly, the foam dumbbells create resistance as you move them through the water. You can use them for aquatic strength-training or to increase the intensity of your water aerobics workouts.
Kettlebells
According to a 2010 study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise, a high-intensity kettlebell workout burns about 272 calories in 20 minutes. That works out to 816 calories per hour, an impressive rate of calorie burn by any standard. Kettlebells also have the added benefit of building extra muscle mass, which in turn burns more calories both in action and at rest.
Jump Rope
Jump ropes came in at number two on the American Council on Exercise's list of pros' choices for best inexpensive exercise products. Jumping rope offers a simple but intense cardio workout. According to Harvard Health Publications, a man who weighs 185 pounds can burn 444 calories in 30 minutes of rope jumping, or 888 calories in an hour.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands came in first in the American Council on Exercise's listing of pro choices. They make an inexpensive, compact and effective addition to your aerobics regimen. In addition to burning more calories, the extra muscle you build with resistance bands helps you with everyday movements, including carrying groceries upstairs or lifting and shifting boxes.
Aerobics Step
An adjustable aerobics step is a compact, lightweight way of burning calories. If you're bored by the thought of stepping up and down for an hour, buy an exercise DVD with several different workouts to keep you entertained and challenged. Build extra muscle by using the step as a base for leg dips, bench lunges, bench dips and incline pushups.
References
- American Council on Exercise: Pros Choices: Best Exercise Products for Under $20
- IDEA Health & Fitness Association: Working Out Old School
- Harvard Health Publications: Calories Burned in 30 Minutes for People of Three Different Weights
- American Council on Exercise: Kettlebells: Twice the Results in Half the Time?
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