The Fit WIFE: The Home Gym

Hello wives! Veronica Taylor here, your resident beauty and fitness guru from beautyandthebooty.com. The holiday season is upon us, which means lots more to do, lots more to eat, and a little less time to get to the gym.  That said, I’m here to help!  With a little preparation and a quick trip to Amazon.com you can have all you need for a full body workout right in your coat closet!  With just five easy pieces you can fight the bulge without leaving the house! All you need for the perfectly convenient at home gym.  -Veronica Taylor for THE WIFE

 1. Yoga Mat: Not all yoga mats are created equal, and spending a few extra bucks can male a world of difference.  The Manduka Black Mat Pro runs about $94 and comes with a lifetime guarantee!  It’s extra thick and dense to protect bones and joints from pressing too hard into the floor.  If you sweat a lot add a non-slip mat towel on top so you can stay in your down-dog without having to think twice.  Use the yoga mat in all floor exercises to protect your back and prevent bruising.

 2. Resistance Band: This is my favorite item in my “at home gym”!  It is small, durable, and takes up practically no space, it’s a great piece to travel with, and it really ups your leg workout.  My trainer Andrea Orbeck introduced me to this nifty little tool when I first started working out with her.  After a few weeks of use I had toned legs and a tight booty.  Lucky for us she also has an amazing workout video to show you all the fabulous moves to do with the band, which she calls the “Hipster”.  Andrea Orbeck’s Supermodel Butt and Thighs is available here.

 3. Dumbbells: When it comes to working out, dumbbells can be your best friends!  Women tend to have to work twice as hard as men to have toned arms and having these weights readily available at home will leave you with no excuses!  Whether they are 2, 5, or 8 pounds (or you have a set of all 3) dumbbells make getting a great arm and back workout a cinch. Just remember to use dumbbells that suit your strength!  Even if you find that the 2 pound weights are sufficient enough to feel the burn, it’s okay.  Hey, even Hercules had to start somewhere. You’ll want to use the lighter weights for working out the triceps while using the heavier to work out the biceps.

 4. Leg Weights: Once you have a routine down your body tends to get used to it, making results harder to see.  Leg weights are the quick and inexpensive way to enhance your already challenging workout.  While strapped around your ankle they can be used to tone and shape legs more aptly.  They are also versatile!  To weigh down my legs during my core exercises I strap them on to add resistance.  This also helps to train the lower abdomen, which is one of the hardest areas to tone. Just make sure not to wear leg weights while walking as studies have shown it can do more damage to your alignment than good.

 5. Jump Rope: I know you guys are wondering, “Where the heck is the cardio?”  Well, here it is. Jump ropes are extremely affordable, portable, and are the ultimate full body workout. It works the arms, abs, legs, and all the while it’s improving agility, stability, balance, and coordination. In between weight training reps I find it best to do 30 second burst of jumping rope quickly to get my heart rate up. Remember to always stretch before you begin any high impact activity.

 Three pieces to consider adding on for your comfort

 6. A Foam Roller: This is a great tool to loosen muscles when you can’t make it to your masseuse.  And it can also be used for core exercises.

 7. A Yoga Block: Yoga blocks are great for stretching, to help you balance, and also as a way to keep inner thighs engaged while doing crunches!

 8. A Lacrosse Ball: A small dense ball with no give that you can use to help with Self-Myofascial Release, (also known as maintenance for the athletes body).  Because the ball is small and sturdy it can get into the bodies soft tissue and help alleviate knots.  I also like to roll out the arches of my feet on it after a long night in heels to prevent cramping. -Veronica Taylor for THE WIFE