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We waded through countless contraptions to find the best compact, affordable indoor fitness equipment. Presenting gear that can tone your body, strengthen your ticker and increase flexibility without turning your living room into Gold’s Gym.
For gear to increase your SPEED click here.
To check out gear to boost your STRENGTH, click here.
Finally, for gear to improve FLEXIBILITY, click here.
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1.RopeSport 4 in 1 Jump Rope: Take a little trip down memory lane with this grade school favorite. Just 10 minutes of jumping rope burns up to 150 calories, depending on how fast you go and how much you weigh. It’s easy to learn, costs less than a fast-food
dinner and the rope fits nicely in your briefcase, purse or travel bag. Although any rope will do, we like RopeSport’s beaded variety, because it’s durable and weighted. $13; 818-789-4363; www.ropesport.com.
2.OMRON Premium Pedometer: If you can only squeeze one piece of fitness equipment into your cluttered life, consider a pedometer. There’s no easier way to track your activity level, and OMRON’s pedometer is one of the most accurate and easy to use. Clip the cell-phone-sized unit to your waistband or slip it into a chest pocket and it monitors steps taken, miles traveled and approximate calories burned throughout the day. Health experts recommend taking 10,000 steps a day, which is harder than you’d think. $30; 877-216-1333; www.omronhealthcare.com.
3.CycleOps Fluid2 Trainer: Want that at-the-gym high without the monthly membership fee? Crank up the Jock Jams and hop on this cycle trainer, which turns any road, town or mountain bike into a stationary machine. Setup only takes a few minutes, and the lightweight trainer stores easily in the corner of your closet. Enjoy spinning while watching television (it’s ultra-quiet) or do intervals by following the training DVD (included). $300;
800-783-7257; www.cycleops.com.
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1.Thera-Band Resistance Band Kit: Tie one end to a doorknob or sit with legs extended and loop it around your feet. Pull. Repeat. Resistance training doesn’t get much easier (or cheaper) than this. The color-coded bands offer an array of difficulty, from easy to taffy-pull hard. For an exercise how-to, visit www.thera-bandacademy.com. $10.50; 888-FW-ORDER [396-7337]; www.fwonline.com.
2.Bowflex SelectTech 220 Dumbbells: Weight sets don’t come any more compact than this. The complete set contains eight free-weights that allow you to adjust the weight (2.5 to 20 pounds) with the simple twist of a knob. Testers appreciated the set’s versatility, but some complained a bit about how the dumbbell pieces rattle as you lift them. $299 for weights, $88 for stand; 800-850-3280; www.bowflexselecttech.com.
3.Prospirit Vertex Power Ball: Medicine balls help build strength and explosive power, which is important for sports like trail running, mountain biking, skiing and climbing. Use the Vertex ball to add muscle to your crunches or grab a friend and toss it back and forth to build upper body strength. For illustrated exercise suggestions, check out Strength Conditioning with Medicine Balls by Max Jones Coachwise Ltd., 1997 $12 for 3-pound ball; available at Target stores.
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>1.Foam Roller: In a perfect world, we all could afford a full-body massage after every workout. In reality, we can get the job done ourselves with a foam roller. Not nearly as romantic, the foam roller nonetheless works out the kinks deep in your back and leg muscles. While lying down, place it under your hamstrings, IT bands or glutes and shift your body weight until it rolls beneath you. $6–$27, depending on size; available at your local craft store or www.gymcor.com .
2.Gaiam Yoga Essentials Mat: Not just for yoga, this mat offers a nonslip barrier between your body and the floor. Use it for crunches, push-ups, weight lifting or when you strike a pose. Allergy sufferers will appreciate that it’s also latex-free. $22; 877-989-6321; www.gaiam.com .
3.Danskin Core Ball Plus: Sit on it. Do push-ups on it. If you’re super-strong (or an adventure-seeker), try kneeling or even standing on it. Fitness balls are as versatile as they are easy to use, and included in this kit is a “balance ring” that keeps the ball from rolling out from under you, plus an illustrated workout poster to keep you busy for days. $40; 800-704-5561; www.danskinfitness.com .
4.Thera-Band Stability Trainer: Consider this an entry-level wobble board. The closed-cell foam pad is just squishy enough to throw you off-kilter as you stand on one foot, but not enough to send you nose-first onto the floor. The green model is stiffer (thus more stable) than the blue. Sure-footed athletes can up the level of difficulty by keeping a stability trainer underfoot while doing lunges, squats or jumps. $29 each; 888-FW-ORDER
[396-7337]; www.fwonline.com .
Last Updated: Jan 24th, 2006 - 12:31:05
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