A gym membership is a luxury a lot of people just can’t afford. And those who can afford those fancy membership costs don’t necessarily have time to go to the gym. A more convenient, and cost-effective option is to set aside an area in your house to use as a home gym. A properly equipped home gym will provide you with everything you need to get a fantastic workout without the commute, or monthly fees. If you’re serious about making exercise a part of your day, here are some pieces of exercise equipment no home gym should be without.

Treadmill

Treadmills are the most widely used cardio machines around. Running on a treadmill gets your heart pumping, burns calories, strengthens your lungs, and conditions your entire body. Treadmills vary in style, size, and quality. A basic treadmill with a heart rate monitor, and a distance, and calorie counter can be purchased for as little as 300-dollars.

Dumbbells

Weight training tones muscles, increases the metabolism, and helps maintain bone density. Weight training is particularly important for women, as they are more prone to bone loss as the get older. Dumbbells are inexpensive, available in a variety weights, and unlike bulky machines, can be stored in the corner of your home gym.

Weight Bench

A weight bench comes in handy when you’re doing leg extensions, or using free weights to do arm, and back exercises. And a weight bench is more comfortable than the floor, and allows you to perform exercises safely.

Exercise Ball

An exercise ball is great for the overall toning of the body. An exercise ball doesn’t place any strain on your back, and the balance required to stabilize the ball activates those deep, hard-to-reach abdominal muscles. Consistent training on an exercise ball, will improve your balance, straighten your posture, and strengthen the muscles in your abdominals, and back.

Exercise Music

Technically, music does not classify as gym equipment, but music motivates you to get your body moving, and helps take “blah” out of your workout routine. So invest in some upbeat CD’s or download some of your favorite exercise grooves to your iPod.

A home gym that’s equipped with a treadmill, a weight bench, dumbbells, an exercise ball, and some high-impact music will give you the kind of workout your body needs to stay in tip-top shape without the hassle of time consuming commutes, or costly membership fees.