Take Advantage of Home Gym
Regardless of your age, exercising is good for you. The benefits of cardiovascular training include improved blood flow, toned muscles, weight control and stress reduction. Lifting weights strengthens the muscles and fortifies bone. The most effective way to stay fit is to continue exercising every day -- rain, snow, or shine. Unless you're a duck or a polar bear, I'd recommend setting up an inside exercise area at home. It costs less than a membership at a health club and saves time because there's no drive to and from the gym. In fact, you can probably complete your workout in the time you'd spend on the road. That's the first advantage to working out indoors.
Outdoor exercising is better than no exercising. But there are so many nuisances outside, that it almost pays to work out indoors. Outside you have snow, rain, cold, bees, pollution, traffic and pedestrians to dodge. You're exposed to excess sunlight, which is bad for the skin and can cause overheating. Your allergies may be aggravated by pollen and allergens. It's also hard to fall from a stationary bike, although I have managed to. Even if you do fall indoors, carpet is softer than asphalt, by miles.
The initial advantage of working out indoors, whether at a gym or in your home, is that you don't miss days due to inclement weather. While everyone else is driving to the gym, you're busy riding or lifting. While everybody else is waiting in line to use the equipment, you have no line to endure. Another nice thing is that you don't have to change the settings on your equipment, since you're the only one using it.
Time flies while you're working out if you divert your attention away from the effort. A home gym allows you to watch television, movies, exercise videos, or keep an eye on the kids as you ride or row or lift. You don't have to worry about peak times or a second set of clothing or if the club manager is going to hit on you today. And nobody can change the channel. Watch something that motivates you or makes you lose track of time.
All you need is a decent exercise bike, rowing machine, stair stepper, or, if you have headroom, a jump rope. I'd recommend the Schwinn Spinner, the same bike I have. Used Spinners cost around $350. Mine has lasted 10 years and shows no sign of use. I've had to change a foot basket once and the brake pads a few times, since they provide the resistance, but that is the extent of repair it has required. However, a new exercise bike or stair stepper for $75 would work also. It depends on how serious you are.
Get a set of 3 to 5 pound Tai Chi balls. They cost about $10. An exercise mat will cost $7 more. If you're of the mind, troll Craigslist for a best weight bench. You can get one for about $30. Your out-of-pocket total is either $400 or $100, depending on the type of cardio vascular equipment you buy.
Ride 20 minutes daily. Do stretches and calisthenics with the Tai Chi Balls. Do them in slow motion for maximum benefit. Listen to your body. It will advise when you're pushing it too hard. It will also let you know how much it likes a challenge. Stay warm, stay dry, stay inside.
