*** GUEST POST *** Staying Fit Without Going to a Gym/Fitness Center

Many people’s resolutions to get fit are derailed by a bad experience with a gym or fitness center.

Whether you felt intimidated by the more experienced gym-goers or turned off by the high price of a gym membership, rest assured that this doesn’t have to be the end of your quest for fitness.

You can stay fit without ever stepping foot in a gym. If you know what to do, it’s easy to exercise effectively at home.

You can easily incorporate both cardio and strength training into a home exercise routine.

Choosing the right one for you depends on several factors, including your schedule, goals, and the amount of money you are willing to invest in home exercise.

If your goal is to burn the maximum number of calories at home, invest in some quality cardio equipment. Treadmills, elliptical trainers and stationary bicycles are some of the most popular pieces of home cardio equipment.

Elliptical trainers and treadmills provide benefits similar to those gained from running, with added potential for resistance.

Stationary bicycles, on the other hand, work all of your leg muscles, using speed and resistance to mimic the experience of riding a bike on varied terrain.

These cardiovascular exercises are all incredibly effective for burning calories while also strengthening your muscles. Over time, cardio equipment is much more cost-effective than a gym membership.

If you’re just trying to save money, you can design a free home workout routine that requires no equipment at all.

For instance, you can enjoy an intense cardio workout by simply running or jogging.

To strength train without equipment, you’ll need to perform bodyweight exercises, which use your own weight as resistance to build muscles.

Squats, planks, and those killer burpees are some of the essential building blocks in a bodyweight strength routine.

There is also plenty of small, inexpensive equipment you can pick up to enhance your workout. For example, small free weights allow you to boost your strength training routine, and you can even use them during a stationary bicycle session to get a simultaneous upper body workout.

If you feel you would benefit from following an instructor, there are many workout DVDs, apps, and online videos that can teach you effective methods for staying fit without a gym.

A jump rope, yoga mat, or set of resistance bands will give you even more home exercise options.

No matter what your fitness goals are, don’t let them get derailed simply because you’ve realized the gym isn’t for you. With a little effort, you can stay fit without ever leaving the comfort and convenience of your living room.

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-- Jordan Spindler is a freelance writer and avid fitness enthusiast. His health and fitness articles has been published in a number of national news publications, including the Houston Chronicle and the San Francisco Chronicle. He is a graduate of the University of California Riverside, and although his degree is in English, his passions are fitness and self-improvement. -- Visit his blog for more interesting posts from Jordan  www.1spinning.com
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