When you head to a gym, everything you might need for a workout is usually right there: dumbbells; weight machines; cardio equipment; aerobics, Spinning, yoga, and Pilates classes; and even a place to stretch. When you're at home, chances are you don't have a house full of weights and machines — not to mention a nearby trainer — allowing you to work each muscle exactly the way you should.

Gym workouts are not necessarily more effective than home workouts. Not everyone feels comfortable exercising in front of strangers, and if you're one of those people, then creating a home gym might guarantee you'll get your strength training in. Also, if time is an issue, keep in mind that it always takes time to get yourself to the gym.

Creating a Home Gym

A basic home gym requires an exercise ball, dumbbells, a step bench for step aerobics (which can double as a weight bench for women), a yoga mat, and some DVDs. Of course, you can spend from very little to quite a lot on creating a home gym. Here are some of your options:

Even if you don't want to create an official home gym, it's a good idea to have at least some equipment and workout DVDs around for days when you can't get to the gym or go outside. For less than $100, you can always be ready to substitute a home workout for your regular walk, trip to the gym, or swim at the pool. And the benefits of the cross-training will help your overall fitness level.