Home Fitness Equipment on a Budget

When we need to get fitter to improve our health, for personal or medical reasons, it does not have to cost us a fortune in gym fees, Fitness class fees, or us buying very expensive equipment.

Forget the fancy weights, kettle bells, and rowing machines, make your own fitness equipment for a fraction of the cost, or even free from items you already have around the home.

Look on your local Facebook Buy & Sell sites, and join your local Freegle site, there is often unwanted gym equipment being given away or sold off at a fraction of the price.

Equipment can be very costly, try substituting them with items you already have to hand.

REMEMBER TO ENSURE THEY ARE SAFE BEFORE USE!

DUMB BELLS

Substitute Dumb Bells with food tins from the cupboard.
Start with small tins and gradually build up to larger heavier ones.

TIP:- Wrap some elastic bands around the tin to improve grip.

KETTLE BELLS

For a slightly heavier weight, substitute a kettle bell using a plastic Milk or Juice container.
This can be filled up to match the weight you desire.
(1pt of water =approx 1LB).

TIP:- Wrap handle with piece of foam pipe lagging and then tape or glue into place to reduce rubbing and prevent blisters.

STEPS

Expensive exercise steps can be replaced by using a sturdy heavy and stable box or wooden block.

Better still just use the lower steps or your staircase, this has the advantage of having a grab rail for initial support.

EXERCISE MATS

Camping mats tend to be far cheaper than those sold specifically for exercise.
Look in the supermarkets such as Aldi or Lidl, they often sell cheap.

Exercise balls are a great tool to use, Argos sells them very cheap (£8 - £10) and in two sizes.
Remember you need a bicycle pump and adapter!

BUILD YOUR OWN PARALLEL FITNESS BARS

Make your own Fitness Bars out of a few pieces of plumbing pipe & joints.

TIP:  to give extra strength insert  lengths of broom stick slightly longer than the long tubes so they sit in joints. 


Watch the Diet.com Youtube video for a demonstration of how to build.

The Internet has many home build ideas.

Try out these links

http://diyjoy.com/diy-exercise-equipment#