best buys
Clever ways to get fit without leaving the house
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Ready to get moving again after spending Christmas horizontal on the sofa?
We've rounded up some key home gym buys to help you on your way!
Always warm up before you exercise, NEVER overstretch yourself and consult a doctor or health professional if you have any conditions or illnesses that could affect your workout.
And remember, slow and steady ALWAYS wins the race ...
1. Exercise Ball
*Comes with a six-page guide book full of exercises to use with the ball
*Also contains a free pump so you can inflate it with ease
*Three sizes available so you can select the best ball for your height
Great for using for pregnancy yoga as well as regular exercise, this well-priced inflatable ball comes with a useful pump.
It's perfect for developing muscle tone, strength and balance and can even be used as a seat if you work at a desk from home. The anti-burst material is thick, durable and free from chemical smells.
2. Folding Fitness Exercise Bike
*Collapsible home exercise bike with adjustable resistance
*Training computer with LCD display showing time, calories burned, speed and distance travelled and heart rate
*Easy to assemble, space-saving option
A low-impact way to burn calories, this exercise bike has a digital console for ease and can be compactly folded for storage.
It's ideal for both low and high resistance exercise, and you can even watch television while you ride it! Perfect for working up a sweat without having to leave the comfort of home.
3. Joe Wicks The Body Coach Workout [DVD]
*Workout routine presented by fitness and body coach Joe Wicks
*Includes warm-up and cool-down routines as well as seven high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts
*No equipment needed, just a small amount of space (and determination!)
This workout DVD by 'Lean in 15' author Joe Wicks is great for people who have a limited amount of time and equipment to work out with.
Just follow long as Joe sweats it out on the beaches of Abu Dhabi. The DVD contains seven different levels of HIIT workouts for you to work your way through.
4. Neoprene Dumbbell Pair, from £20.99
*Choose weights from one up to 10kg
*Easy-grip neoprene coating for a secure hold
*Great for following along with DVDs or doing your own workouts at home
These weights will help create shape and definition in your upper body, arms, shoulders and back, while improving core strength, overall muscle tone, and flexibility.
They're great for doing at home workouts in the cold winter months when trudging to the gym can seem like too much effort, or if you have small children at home.
5. Ab Roller Exercise Wheel
*Easy to assemble exercise wheel for working out the abs
*Comes with a extra-thick kneeling mat
*Great workout for toning and strengthening your abs and arms
Using a fitness wheel helps tone your abdominals and upper body. This model has contoured rubber hand grips to prevent sliding and give greater comfort while exercising.
It operates on both carpeted and tiled floor, and you can follow along with Youtube videos which demonstrate how to best use it. You'll have a six pack in no time!
6. Foam Roller
*Designed to massage muscles post-workout or on a rest day
*Different angles on the roller imitate three types of massage: fingertip, full finger and palm
*Made from high-density EVA foam
These simple rollers are a powerful aid to your workout routine. Good for developing flexibility, they can help soothe muscles and help prevent injury, too.
They're great for using when you've just started a new fitness routine, as they help to prevent that awful muscle soreness in the days after an intense workout.
7. Kettlebell
*Choose any weight between 4 and 20kg
*Versatile piece of equipment that can be used to work out your whole body
*Large handle to ensure you have the best grip possible, and flat base makes it easy to place down
Use a kettlebell in your workout to define muscles in your bottom, legs and lower back - and they also can increase calorie burn by around 40-50%. Wow!
They can be used to tone every muscle in your body, whether you use them to do shoulder presses, Russian twists or the classic kettlebell swing.
8. Yoga Mat
*Exercise mat that can be used for yoga, pilates or just for bodyweight workouts
*Non-slip material with smooth foam anti-bacterial surface
*Available to buy in a variety of colours
Yoga might look gentle, but it's a very effective workout and will relax and exercise your mind, as well as your body. A good mat is essential if you're trying to complete a yoga routine on hard flooring.
This mat is 183cm x 60cm in size and 1cm thick, so it's just right for solo workouts. It even comes with a carry handle so you can easily take it to the gym or yoga classes.
Read on:
- The best gym and fitness gear from under £10
- Pippa Middleton reveals her pregnancy fitness regime
- Pregnancy yoga for beginners