Exercise equipment can be pretty pricey. You needn't spend a week's salary that you sweated over to sweat over the price of workout gear. A gym membership can cost between $500.00 to 1500.00 per year. Compare that to Free! The money you save on the gym membership can go towards a new wardrobe, a vacation or motivational gift you give yourself each month as you see your body change shape. You can have that bathing suit ready body, no matter what your age or income by utilizing some handy household items you already own around the house.



6 Advantages to Working Out at Home:

1. You can really feel comfortable with your surroundings and with yourself.

2. You also don't have to worry about anyone bumping into you.

3. You can learn at your own pace.

4. You can wear what you want

5. You save money on gas and membership

6. You save travel time

With a paper plate, a broom, soup cans and pantyhose, yes pantyhose - you can change the shape of your body to firm, fit and fabulous. Detergent jugs make great weights and if they are too heavy you use soup cans to trim and tone your arms, chest and shoulders.

To tone and tighten you buttocks, hips and thighs, get a paper plate. Place the plate under your foot and slide the paper plate twelve times forward, followed by 12 times to the side and 12 times to the back. Build up until you can do 3 sets of 12 repetitions on each side. You will definitely feel this working the first time you try it.

For a firm belly get a broom and a mat and do a modified plank pose from pilates. Lie on the mat, lift both legs off the mat and place your arms shoulder-width apart above your belly. Hold the broom and make small up and down pulse movements with the broom counting to 100. Just do what you can and gradually you'll be able to pulse the broom while lifting your legs for 100 counts.

Pantyhose are an excellent substitute for resistant bands. Here's an exercise to tone and tighten your triceps, which is the underside of the upper arm. Place your left hand on your chest like your saying the pledge of allegiance. Continue holding the pantyhose with your left hand to keep the pantyhose stable. While grasping the pantyhose with your left hand, pull the pantyhose with your right hand out to the side. Make sure to begin with your right elbow bent and pull the band out to the side and back straightening your arm slowly. Begin with 1 set and work up to 3 sets of 12. Do both sides.