What exercise equipment do you need?

Quite often when you start something new you find out there’s a whole lot of things you need to buy. This didn’t happen here. When I first started my exercise program, I jogged in my old canvas shoes, but soon found out I needed much better shoes.

So, my only cost to start a regular fitness program was a pair of good running shoes and for a very long time that actually was the only thing I had to buy. Quite opposite to what I originally thought. I looked around and found New Balance running shoes and liked them and have been wearing them ever since.

You really don't need to spend a lot of money on exercise equipment. A modest outlay is enough to buy some basic gear that will give you a great workout.

I already had shorts, socks, T-shirts, sweat shirts, jackets, rain gear, sweat pants, gloves, hat, ear muffs, all sorts of gear. I jogged in every kind of weather from the tropics in the Caribbean to winter weather with snow and wind.

A modest outlay is enough to buy some basic gear that will give you a great workout. An exercise ball, ab roller, and pushup swivel grips are what I have used every day for decades.

In rainy, snowy, or cold weather I would sometimes put my foot (with the sock on) into a plastic bag, tie it around with a piece of string and then put my put my foot into the shoe. I wore a waterproof outfit so my pant leg came down to my shoes. My feet stayed warm and comfortable.

I actually enjoyed the occasional snowfall or even a storm.  I would wonder about the beauty of it all, how calm and quiet a snowfall can be, all the cars are off the road, nothing moving, no sounds, only me, clomping along. Or how dark and threatening the lake looks as I jog along the sidewalk deep in snow as the wind roars in making it almost impossible for me to see. When I got back home my underclothes would be wet from perspiration and in spite of the bitter cold, I would be warm and comfortable. I can’t really explain why I liked those jogs, but I did!

I jogged in every kind of weather -- from the tropics in the Caribbean to winter weather with snow and wind. I liked the beauty of it all, from freezing snow to blazing sun.

So, the basic equipment for going out for a jog or a run in almost any kind of weather is quite minimal. I first started with a jog then upped it to a run, and later on I started doing some other exercises. I did basic things like stretching, sit-ups, pushups that didn’t require any equipment. A few years later I added three exercises to my routine that required equipment. The first was an exercise wheel (ab roller), next was an exercise ball, and then ‘swivel grips’ for pushups. It was a little later that I got my first elliptical machine.

For many years my only expense was a new pair of New Balance running shoes every few years, then came the several small equipment one-time expenses that were minimal. Compared to a lot of other ways to keep fit my fitness program is cheap -- a real bargain!

My exercise wheel was a Gold’s Gym brand. Then I bought a Gold’s Gym exercise ball and a set of swivel grips for pushups. I don’t see Gold’s Gym brand around anymore but I’ve noticed there are other brands available now and they all look just about the same. These items I’ve used several times a week for years and they still perform as new. I have a bicycle pump that I use occasionally to keep the ball firm. Virtually no maintenance. I use the exercise ball for sit-ups and abdomen strength, stability, and balance.

The pushup swivel grips provide a little stronger workout using muscles in the chest, shoulders, and arms. The exercise wheel builds muscle in your upper and lower body and develops core strength. 

For many years my only expense was a new pair of New Balance running shoes every few years, then came the several small equipment one-time expenses that were minimal. Compared to a lot of other ways to keep fit my fitness program is cheap -- a real bargain!

And it really works!

---

Getting started with exercise equipment

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

If you'd like to get started with some exercise equipment that will enhance your fitness program, here are some links to the products I use and recommend:

• Push up swivel grips

• Exercise ball (stability ball)

• Ab roller (exercise roller wheel)

There are plenty of different brands and options. You should consult with your own doctor to develop a protocol that is tailored to your own health status and goals.