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4 Fitness Investments
Affordable At-home Fitness for the Busy Parent
By Tracy Simmons
Stability Ball ($25-$45)
A stability ball is great to help you work on balance, strength and flexibility. Make sure that you check the product to make sure you are getting the right size ball for your height. Here is a great exercise to try for the upper body: - Get on the ball with your hips resting on the ball and your hands on the floor. If you are just starting out, keep your feet on the floor. To make the exercise harder, move so that your thighs or shins are on the ball.
- Contract your abdominals to give you balance, and inhale as you lower yourself down so that your arms are parallel to the floor.
- Exhale as you push yourself back up to the starting position.
- Try to do this 10 times.
Fitness Bands ($5-$10 for 5-foot sections)
Fitness bands or tubing come in a variety of resistances and are portable enough to use anywhere. It is important when performing any exercise with the band that you control your movements, so you do not let the bands snap back. Here is a great exercise for your inner and outer thighs: - Tie or loop the band around your ankles, ensuring that you have about 2 feet of slack between your legs.