What are the Different Options for Home Exercises?

There are lots of different options for home exercises available to those who don't wish to join a gym or take a class. During nice weather, walking or cycling is good exercise. Another option is investing in one or two pieces of equipment such as a treadmill or weights. It's also possible to exercise without equipment by using body weight to provide resistance or to workout with one of the many fitness DVDs.

One of the options for home exercises is to go outdoors. An effective and safe form of exercise is walking; it's easy to do and requires no special equipment. Walking provides a cardiovascular workout that burns calories and also has a low risk of injury. It's frequently recommended by medical professionals and is one of the most popular forms of exercise. It can be done alone or with friends; a person can walk for as much time as he or she is comfortable with. As little as 10 to 20 minutes a day can be beneficial.

Cycling is another good outdoor form of home exercise. Cycling only requires a bicycle, although a helmet is also recommended. Most adults know how to ride already, and it's excellent cardiovascular exercise. Cycling also strengthens the large muscles in the legs; this burns extra calories since muscle burns more than other body tissues. A person can cycle alone or it can be an enjoyable group activity shared with family or friends.

There are also a multitude of options for indoor home exercises. One idea is to invest some money in a piece of exercise equipment such as a treadmill, an elliptical, or a resistance machine. Exercising on these kinds of machines can provide cardiovascular and muscle strengthening benefits. It's also possible to workout while watching a favorite television show or listening to music or audio books which may help motivate those who are reluctant to exercise.

Other options for home exercises require very little equipment or none. Jumping rope is effective cardiovascular conditioning and strength training can be accomplished using inexpensive hand weights or resistance bands. Muscles can be strengthened by using body weight for resistance and using classic exercises like push-ups, leg lifts and abdominal crunches.

Another popular option for home exercises is to workout using a fitness DVD as a guide; with so many choices, it is possible to find something to suit anyone. DVDs are available that combine cardiovascular and muscle strengthening, and many are based on current fitness trends. Some common types include "fat-burning" or weight loss workouts, dance based exercise, yoga, shaping and toning, kickboxing, and basic aerobics.