Exercise Equipment That You Don’t Need (Pt. 4)
Exercise Equipment That You Don’t Need (Part 1)
Exercise Equipment That You Don’t Need (Part 2)
Exercise Equipment That You Don’t Need (Part 3)
Aerobic Video Equipment
Aerobic videos are an excellent and inexpensive way to do aerobic activities. They can even be free if you get the DVD or video tape from your public library. Many cable channels and even internet sites also now offer free exercise videos.
These videos can become expensive when they are accompanied by “special” exercise equipment. The videos may come with exercise balls, step apparatuses, dancing poles, sticks, etc. You do not need expensive ancillary equipment to do aerobic exercises. Use the free and inexpensive strategies in the Don’t Go Broke Activity Plan.
Balance Boards
I have been in many gyms and watched many trainers using waffle boards. These boards are excellent for strengthening the smaller accessory muscles of the legs and core, but not for losing weight.
Strength training these smaller muscles is beneficial if you are an athlete, or if you are trying to improve your balance. However, these muscles are not large enough to have an impact in your weight loss. You should focus your strength training on the large muscle groups: glutes, quads, hamstrings, lats, pecs, and delts.
If you are an athlete or a person who is afraid of losing your balance, a balance board may be beneficial. However, if you are trying to lose weight, do not use it. If your trainer tries to get you to use one of these boards, get a new trainer.
Golf Clubs
I often ask people what they do for exercise. If they are a man, above the age of 30, they often say that they play golf. This amuses me because while golf is considered a sport it is not considered exercise.
Playing golf will not directly lead to weight loss. It may actually be counterproductive to weight loss. You do not burn many extra calories while playing and you increase your stress level. Stress leads to weight gain, not weight loss.
You should not stop playing golf, if you already play. You should just not consider it exercise. If you are not a golfer currently, do not start for exercise purposes. Golf is an expensive sport and there are cheaper and better ways to burn calories.
However, there are ways to increase the calories you burn while playing golf:
- Get rid of your caddy and carry your own bag
- Get rid of the golf cart and walk
- Stress less: You are not Tiger Woods and you are not playing for millions. Relax!!!! Enjoy yourself.
- Laugh more: Play with people you like. Tell jokes. Make fun of yourself. Have fun.
The Bottom Line
The intent of these posts was not to bash all products. The bottom line is that to lose weight, you don’t have to spend money. Products, clothing and even special shoes can be useful but to lose weight and shape up they’re not necessary. If you are runner who runs 30 or more miles per week, by all means head to the running store for running shoes. For that type of mileage you risk injuring yourself if you run in the wrong type of shoe. If you are going to start a walking program, don’t do it in your dance shoes or flip flops!
The first step is to invest the time and commitment to get moving. It’s far better to first develop the habit of exercise and then purchase things that you will enjoy and use. Don’t forget to check out the Don’t Go Broke Activity Plan for low and no-cost workout ideas. You can lose weight and keep your money!
Weight loss can be enhanced and better maintained with strength training. For more information on my favorite strength training tool, read my review of the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells.
Photo by nsaplayer.
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- Exercise Equipment That You Don’t Need (Part 3)
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- 4 Obstacles To Effective Weight Loss
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