Exercise is an essential part of the weight loss equation and we all know it yet many of us still have trouble finding (or making) time to get enough physical activity to lose weight and keep it off. Purchasing exercise equipment at home is one option if you don’t have access to a 24-hour gym, but is it worth the money?

{That fancy exercise equipment can get the job done…if you’ll use it.}

There are so many factors that go into finding the right home exercise equipment, how do you choose without breaking the bank? Keep reading to find out if you should get exercise equipment at home.

Exercise Essentials

Losing weight requires a combination of cardio and strength training exercises that will help you burn fat as well as build muscle. Finding exercise equipment that will help you accomplish this at home can be difficult if you don’t have a lot of money, but not impossible. In fact exercise equipment in the home may facilitate more frequent bouts of exercise according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

One of the first pieces of exercise equipment that you’ll want to purchase is a set of dumbbells. You don’t need an expensive set with multiple weights; all you need to start is a mid-size pair that will help you get started.

You can choose between traditional dumbbells and dumbbells with weight plates so you can keep the same ones as you become more skilled at weight training.

Another piece of exercise equipment that can help you lose weight at home is a jump rope. The jump rope can be used in a wide variety of ways but more importantly it can help you get a rigorous cardio workout without spending a lot of money. Just to give you an idea, 30 minutes of fast rope jumping can burn 491 calories!

An exercise mat is a great piece of exercise equipment to have for your home gym because it is inexpensive and makes it easier to perform certain exercises on carpet. Whether you prefer yoga or Pilates or sweating with a good exercise video, an exercise mat can make performing these exercises at home much easier.

Wasteful Spending

When it comes to purchasing exercise equipment for the home, most people make a beeline for the shiny expensive equipment like treadmills, elliptical machines and multi-purpose exercise equipment. This type of exercise equipment can help you get the job done, but if you don’t exercise regularly with a gym membership then chances are good that big purchases like this are a waste of time for now.

This type of exercise equipment is a waste because they don’t provide you with a more effective workout than running or walking or riding a bike down a park path. With dumbbells and a treadmill you can have an effective calorie burning workout without emptying thousands of dollars from your bank account.

Until exercise becomes a regular part of your lifestyle you will also want to stay away from trendy exercise equipment that is beyond your physical capabilities at the moment. Kettlebells are a good example of a really effective piece of workout equipment that may not be best for a beginner.

Inexpensive Alternatives

As with most things exercise related there are different types of inexpensive exercise equipment that you can use to help you maximize your current workout. Finding these inexpensive pieces of equipment can help you build up your level of physical fitness without spending a ton of money.

Resistance bands are a great inexpensive alternative to cables. You can perform a wide variety of strength training and cardio exercises with these bands for a truly intense workout. Resistance bands come in different colors that indicate varying levels of resistance for a more or less intense workout.

{Use resistance bands to workout anywhere you have the time & energy!}

Pull Up Bars are another inexpensive alternative to traditional exercise equipment like dumbbells or weights and bench. Easy to affix into just about any doorway, pull up bars can work your entire upper body anywhere there’s a door. Take it with you on the road, to the office or anywhere else you have 15 minutes to work up a sweat.

Steps are an old school piece of exercise equipment but it is an effective way to burn calories and build leg and thigh muscles while getting an intense cardio workout. What’s most amazing about the steps is that they come with adjustable levels so you can up the intensity of your workout as you get fitter.

Exercise Balls are another piece of exercise equipment that can help you get an effective workout in the comfort of your home. Use the exercise ball to get an abdominal workout without risking back injury.

Circuit Training Must Haves

The truth is that you might not find it necessary to purchase any exercise equipment at all, particularly if you’re fond of circuit training exercises. However if you want to optimize your regular workout sessions you can use certain types of exercise equipment like dumbbells, jump ropes and exercise balls.

{These 3 pieces of exercise equipment is perfect for a circuit training workout!}

Small inexpensive exercise equipment combined with the right bodyweight exercises and you can get an intense full body workout without leaving the comforts of your home.

Everything Else

Exercise equipment isn’t limited to just traditional exercise equipment; it also includes anything else you need to help you maintain an active lifestyle. Basic sporting equipment you can find for cheap include soccer balls, footballs, volleyballs and basketballs. Tennis and Racquetball rackets can be purchased for less than $30 or rented from your local gym or recreation facility for much less.

Although not technically a piece of exercise equipment a solid pair of gym shoes is an essential part of any workout program. Contrary to popular belief however, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars for a pair of good gym shoes. Find a pair that is comfortable, breathable and provides good support for the types of movements you perform when you exercise.

As you become more physically active in order to lose weight you might want to start focusing on adopting a healthier diet as well. Read our in-depth review of Brad Pilon’s Eat Stop Eat to find out how you can eat less junk food for weight loss.