The cost of gym memberships and shortage of time to set aside to work an exercise regime into the mix are just a couple of the issues facing many people who want to get and stay fit.  Will a friend be able to go to the gym with you at the same time? What about the time it takes to go to the gym and then back home again? 

Borrowing a DVD from the library or checking your local fitness equipment store for the latest and most effective exercise programs are among self-paced exercise options available.

“A way to fit fitness into our busy lives is to have equipment at home,” says Glenn Carlson at Fitness Equipment of Calgary, who offers a few suggestions to get you off the couch and into an active lifestyle, from yoga and pilates to weight training and improvement of your core strength. 

When combined with the top five components of health—weight training, aerobic conditioning, flexibility, proper nutrition and a strong, positive outlook on life, Cory Maystrowich, manager of Flaman Fitness, with locations in Calgary and Edmonton, says you’ll have a sure-fire recipe for success.

He suggests getting back to basics and monitoring what you ingest. “People have to remember less calories in and more calories out,” he says. He also advises clients check out their employers’ health plans before getting started with a fitness plan, as they can often cover fitness as part of their benefit package and prevent your wallet from also getting a workout.

The next question to ask before ever flexing a muscle is “do I have enough space in my home to store fitness equipment?” The answer is generally a resounding  “yes,” as many pieces of fitness equipment can be stored under a bed or in a closet. “The most critical part of your workout is the bench,” Carlson says. He suggests the Hoist brand fold-up adjustable bench, with wheels and handles for ease of moving and storage.  He also suggests those who want to start weight training use the Power Block system, ranging from five to 50 pounds.  “A lot of ladies go for the three-to 24-pound weights.”  The all-in-one system “eliminates the traditional dumbbells and saves space.”

Flaman Fitness also retails a brand of dumbbells by Selectech, which come in three varieties and “are one of our biggest sellers,” notes Maystrowich. “People who are downsizing and looking to save space come in looking for these. An optional wheeled stand to stow the weights is also available, making it easy to scoot around and it fits nicely into a closet.”  He also recommends toning tubes, which are essentially “a portable gym used at home. They take up very little space and you can use them while you are watching television! The tube is easy to travel with, too—just throw it into your bag.”

In our increasingly healthy world, there is no reason to hide the fact you have committed to living better. “When people see equipment, they presume a person is living a fitter, healthier life,” adds Maystrowich.

A stability or gym ball, for example, would not be out of place, especially if it serves a dual purpose, such as extra seating for guests as well as a seat at the computer desk. 

“They are great for core stability and keep a person’s back straight, strengthening the quads and hamstrings and helping to sit properly. The most important thing to remember: find a ball that keeps your legs at a 90- degree angle,” says Maystrowich.

The BOSU ball is one healthy helper that takes up very little area.  “You can use it as a bench or wobble board, use it for yoga and stretching, and then all the core work.  Basically what it does is it forces your body to use all the stability muscles around the larger muscles and engages your core,” says Crystal Bishop, manager of Physique Fitness, also with Calgary and Edmonton stores.  “You are forced to keep yourself in the proper position to do your exercises.” Meanwhile, “steps” by companies such as Reebok are easily stored in a closet when not in use.

A folding elliptical trainer is also an option, as is an upright bike.  “Both are quiet and you won’t disturb your neighbours,” says Bishop, who is also a personal trainer. She recommends searching online for P90X or surfing to Crossfit.com and checking out Jari

Love for her Let’s Get Ripped series of DVDs.  “Jari is very popular with women with her pre- and post-baby workouts.  All you would need is a set of dumbbells, a skipping rope and a step.”

Jamie McArthur of Calgary’s Apple Fitness Store (there is also an Edmonton location) suggests purchasing equipment or fitness tools that are aesthetically pleasing and can have a permanent home in one of the living areas, whether it is a corner of the living room or bedroom. This could be as simple as colourful medicine balls and a yoga mat or it could be an elliptical machine.

Noise is obviously a factor in condos and for this reason, for those without a basement (such as in a multi-level townhome), treadmills are not a suitable option, but a cross trainer or an exercise bike might be. McArthur says he has found the LifeFitness cable motion system (functional trainer) to be very popular among the condo-dwelling set. “They typically fit into a corner taking up only two feet of wall space and are very quiet. The biggest mistake for people who live in a small environment happens when they are looking for something to fold up or is easy to store away. Fitness becomes ‘out of sight, out of mind’,” McArthur says.

The bottom line is it can be easy to start a fitness regimen, and using the excuse of being light on time or space just doesn’t carry the same weight with the equipment options available. Grab a set of weights, some toning tubes, and start moving towards greater health.  CL

For more information:
» http://www.fitnessequipmentcalgary.com
» http://www.flamanfitness.com
» http://www.physiquefitness.com
» http://www.fitnessdepot.ca
» http://www.applefitness.com
» http://www.crossfit.com
» http://www.rippedworkout.ca