A lot of people these days lament the fact that they just don't have time to workout.

By the time they get off work, commute to the gym and finally head home, it's late. Or if you're the one responsible for picking up the kids from school, starting supper, doing laundry, and the other day-to-day chores, sometimes you just can't get to the gym. So what's a busy mom or dad to do?

A home gym can be a really good investment, and it can be as simple or as "gym-like" as room and finances allow. Use your imagination and "get moving!"

1. Purchase a small set of either dumbbells (free weights) or resistance bands. Both are inexpensive (around $10-$30 per set) and are excellent ways to build muscle and burn fat. (Resistance bands are great when travelling!) It's been proven that we lose weight more easily if we incorporate some kind of weight training to our daily regimen. Weight lifting helps your body burn fat long after the workout is over. Just be sure not to work out all muscle groups every day. Strength training tears muscle and it needs time to build back up again. One schedule might be for instance, working out the lower body on Monday, the upper body on Tuesday, and the abs and back on Wednesday and repeating the cycle. Consider giving your body one day to rest each week.

2. A stability ball can also be a useful tool, as it promotes balance by utilizing core muscles (back and abs). Some people use their stability ball just to sit on at a desk instead of a chair, forcing their abs and back to support their body. There are many exercises that can be done using a stability ball, and one nice thing is they are also inexpensive, usually around $25 or so.

3. An exercise mat is a wonderful, small tool that can be used in combination with the DVDs, weight training exercises, etc. They are especially useful for doing Pilates or just doing those crunches!

4. Find a piece of cardio equipment that you really like. A simple treadmill whether electric or manual can be a good, easy edition to your gym. Exercise bikes, gliders and ellipticals all provide a heart-healthy workout in the comfort of your own home, and many are inexpensive and some even fold away for storage. (Note: If possible try out this piece of equipment at the store before you buy, to ensure you will like it, the item will be safe, stable, right for your height and weight, etc. Nothing is more frustrating than making a big purchase only to use it as a clothing rack.) Put on a movie, place a book on top of your console, or don an mp3 player and get lost in the workout! You deserve the time!

5. Don't discount the benefits of working out with DVDs. They usually cost around $20-$30 each (many times less), and don't require any space-stealing equipment. The assortment is huge; Pilates, which helps firm and tone, while using your own body to act as the resistance, walking DVDs such as "Walk Away the Pounds" with Leslie Sansone are wonderful because they are easy to do, yet very effective. Maybe you enjoy kick-boxing or dancing your way to health, there are many of those kinds of DVDs around these days as well. If you really want to make it fun, plug in your child's DDR (Dance, Dance Revolution) and see if you can keep up! (Just make sure the kids aren't around the first time!) Just have fun with it!

6. If you have the room, or want a simpler solution to your workout, you might consider an all-in-one home gym. They range in price usually from around $100 to thousands. Only you know how much room you have, how much money you can afford and how much time you plan to devote to your new workout routine. So keep all that in mind when making your selection. It also helps to talk with those that have used a home-gym, or read articles on selecting the right one for you, to see which ones have good reviews for the money.

Whatever you do, just get moving! It burns calories and fat, helps relieve stress, gives you the time you deserve to help yourself deal with those precious ones around you each day! Just don't forget to shower before handing out those hugs! Have fun!

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