Gift Selections For Your Favorite Fitness Buff

Here are a few gift suggestions for the fitness buffs in your life.

A fitness related gift is a great option for someone who already works out or for someone who has expressed interest in getting started. However, giving such a gift to someone because YOU want them to exercise is a bad idea.

That being said, let's get started.


Gymboss Interval Timer 

I'm a huge fan of the Gymboss. I know there are lots of interval apps for smartphones but I'm old school and not a fan of dragging your phone along to a workout. Besides the fact that it can get damaged, there are people who cannot resist checking their Facebook or email when they should be focusing solely on their workout.

I'm not usually not one of those people who gets off on gadgets but I love my Gymboss. Interval training is a great form of exercise and the Gymboss is an inexpensive and convenient way to keep track of your intervals.

To get the most out of your workout, you need to focus on the exercise at hand. Trying to keep track of the time is an unnecessary distraction, which the Gymboss eliminates.

You can set it for 1 time or 2 different times. Want to do something different than counting reps or doing steady state cardio? Perform your exercises for a specific amount of time rather than a certain number of reps. For example, if you're doing a circuit, you can program the Gymboss to beep every 30 seconds or set it for 30 seconds of work and 5 or 10 seconds to transition to the next exercise.

For cardio intervals, program it for 30 seconds work and 60 seconds recovery or any combination of times. There is also a handy clip and it comes in multiple colors.

You can get a Gymboss here.


Personal Training

Personal training is a great gift for the beginner or the experienced exerciser.

The safest and most effective way for a novice to get started is to have a program designed specifically for them and to learn to do the exercises correctly from a qualified professional.

Experienced exercisers often get into a rut of doing the same things over and over. A new workout routine can not only eliminate mental boredom but can also jump start their fitness results.

Personal training will generally run around $40-$100 per one-hour session, with most trainers offering discounts for multiple sessions. Half-hour sessions are also usually available.

If you're in Lancaster, you can call me at (717) 509-7777 for more information and to pick up gift certificates. I train both women and men. 


Small Group Training

If your fitness enthusiast enjoys exercising with others, small group training is a great option. You get the instructional benefits of personal training along with the support and camaraderie of a group.

At Body & Soul, I offer No Pink Dumbbells Fitness Boot Camp. This program is designed for women and men who want to get fit but don’t want to spend hours a day exercising. The training sessions are challenging but are adapted for the fitness level of the participants.

You can get more details at NoPinkDumbbells.com


Ironmaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System

If you are buying for someone who wants to work out at home and doesn't have the space or the resources for a fully equipped dumbbells rack, consider the
Ironmaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System. It adjusts from 5-75 pounds, in 2 1/2 lb increments, and gets glowing reviews.

These adjustable dumbbells are not cheap but I hesitate to recommend other brands due to numerous complaints about them coming apart. Safety is paramount when you're lifting weighted objects over your body.

Check them out here ==> Ironmaster 75 lb Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System



Road ID 

If you're buying a gift for a runner, cyclist, hiker, or triathlete (or if you're one yourself), check out Road ID. This gear could save a life. In the event of an accident where the injured person can't speak for themselves, their Road ID will. Available in multiple different styles.

RoadID is not just a piece of gear - it's peace of mind. Get it here.



TRX® Training System

Suspension training is becoming more and more popular. The TRX is a portable workout system that allows the user to use his/her own body weight to perform a variety of strength, flexibility, endurance and balance exercises.

The TRX provides a great total body workout for athletes, beginners, military personnel and all levels of fitness enthusiasts. The package comes with everything you need to get started: a ceiling or wall anchor, the adjustable straps, training tips and a comprehensive full body workout that can be adapted as your fitness improves.


Get the TRX at www.TRXTraining.com

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2011 Gift Suggestions For Your Favorite Fitness Buff, Part 2

Here's part 2 of my holiday fitness gift suggestions.

Plate Mates

In lower weight dumbbells, you can easily find a slightly heavier weight to progress to. At Body & Soul, I have 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 pound dumbbells. However, once you hit 15 pounds, dumbbells increase by 5 pounds.

That can be a big jump, especially for some exercises and that's where Plate Matescome in. Each pair contains two 1-1/4 pound magnetic weights that attach to each end of the dumbbell. So, instead of trying to jump from 15 pounds up to 20, you can make a 17.5 pound dumbbell using Plate Mates.

Just a reminder- because they are magnetic, they only work on metal dumbbells. Also, you'll need to get two pairs because you need two Plate Mates per dumbbell.

Get Plate Mates ==>  PlateMates Hex Pair, 1.25-Pounds Each



TRX® Training System

Suspension training is becoming more and more popular. The TRX is a portable workout system that allows the user to use his/her own body weight to perform a variety of strength, flexibility, endurance and balance exercises.

The TRX provides a great total body workout for athletes, beginners, military personnel and all levels of fitness enthusiasts. The package comes with everything you need to get started: a ceiling or wall anchor, the adjustable straps, training tips and a comprehensive full body workout that can be adapted as your fitness improves.

You can get 20% plus free shipping (in the U.S. and Canada) if you order by 12/25/2011 at 8:59 PM PT (Pacific time)

Just enter code TRXGIVE during checkout. 

Get the TRX at www.TRXTraining.com

Flashing Safety Light 

   
If you're buying for someone who bikes, walks, or runs after dusk, they really should have a good flasher to improve their visibility. This one comes with an arm strap, belt clip and bike mount.

Bike & Runner's Safety Light 4 Pack



Spri Resistance Bands

Resistance bands can be found at many discount stores and they may be fine. I haven't had a lot of experience with different brands. An aerobics instructor once told me that she had tried many different brands in her classes and found Spri bands to be the most durable. They're the ones I use at Body & Soul and I've been happy with the quality.

Each band below comes with a door attachment and exercise chart. Regardless of which brand you buy, you will probably do best to get at least two different resistances because you'll be able to use more resistance on some exercises than others- just like with dumbbells. (Please don't tell me that you do all your exercises with the same weight. If so, you're definitely doing yourself a disservice.)

The different colors signify different resistances, going from "light" to "very heavy"

SPRI ES500R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Green, Light)

SPRI ES501R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Red, Medium)

SPRI ES502R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Blue, Heavy)

SPRI ES503R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Purple, Very Heavy)


I hope to have at least one more gift post coming up soon. Here's the link to part 1, if you missed it...

2011 Gift Suggestions For Your Favorite Fitness Buff, Part 1

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2011 Gift Suggestions For Your Favorite Fitness Buff, Part 1

Just a reminder...

A fitness related gift is a great option for someone who already works out or for someone who has expressed interest in getting started. However, giving such a gift to someone because YOU want them to exercise is a bad idea.

In the coming weeks, I plan on writing multiple blog posts on items I recommend- some old favorites, some new.

First up, the GymBoss. I still love this handy, little timer. How can you not love a $20 product that improves your workouts?

GymBoss Interval Timer

I'm not usually not one of those people who gets off on gadgets but I love my GymBoss.

Circuit training and cardio intervals are great ways to exercise and the GymBoss is an inexpensive and convenient way to keep time.

To get the most out of your workout, you need to focus on the exercise at hand. Using a watch or clock to keep track of the time is an unnecessary distraction, which the GymBoss eliminates.

You can set it for 1 time or 2 different times. For example, you can program it to beep every 30 seconds if you're doing a bodyweight circuit or you can program it for a 30 second work and 60 second recovery (or any combination of times) for other cardio intervals.

There is also a handy clip for attaching to your clothing and it comes in hot pink, silver, black, blue, red, or camouflage.

You can get a GymBoss here.


Road ID 

If you're buying a gift for a runner, cyclist, hiker, or triathlete (or if you're one yourself), you need Road ID. This gear could save your life. In the event of an accident, if you can't speak for yourself, your Road ID will. Available in 6 different styles.


It's not just a piece of gear - it's peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Get Road ID here.

Thera-Band Stability Balls 

I have no use for the crazy acrobatic "functional" exercises some trainers have their clients perform but an exercise ball is an excellent way to greatly increase the number of exercises you can do, especially if you work out at home and have limited equipment.

Thera-Band Stability Balls are a quality product used by many physical therapists and they're very sturdy.

I've read online comments by exercisers who had to constantly refill their balls or whose cat burst multiple cheap exercise balls, etc. I've never had a Thera-Band ball burst and I rarely need to add more air.

There have also been some injuries related to burst stability balls (you can read about that here ==> Stability Ball Safety) so don't go cheap if you're buying one.

If you are 5'1" - 5'6", you would get a 55cm (red).

For those 5'7 - 6'1", go with the 65cm (green).

If you have exceptionally long legs and are close to the upper height range, you may want to go with the next size up.

You can get one here ==>Thera-Band Exercise Balls

Ironmaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System

If you are buying for someone who wants to work out at home and doesn't have the space or the resources for a fully equipped dumbbells rack, consider the
Ironmaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System. It adjusts from 5-75 pounds, in 2 1/2 lb increments, and gets glowing reviews.

These adjustable dumbbells are not cheap but I hesitate to recommend other brands due to numerous complaints about them coming apart. Safety is paramount when you're lifting weighted objects over your body.

Check them out here ==> Ironmaster 75 lb Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System


I'll be back soon with more great holiday gift suggestions.


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Fitness Gift Suggestions For The Holidays, Part 2

In yesterday's post, I wrote about personal training, the GymBoss interval timer, the TRX Suspension Trainer, and fitness boot camps. Here are a few more gift suggestions for the fitness enthusiast in your life.

If your budget is tight, you can also find last year's recommendations, all for less than $30 here ==> Holiday Gifts For Your Favorite Fitness Buff


Gym Membership

If you know what someone is looking for in a fitness center, you could get them a membership or take care of their enrollment fee. Be careful though because this option can be tricky too. If the intended receiver hates crowds, don't sign them up for a gym with thousands of members. If the gift is for a woman who is intimidated by muscleheads, don't enroll her at the place where all the bodybuilders lift. If she'd prefer a women-only facility and lives or works in Lancaster, check out Body & Soul Fitness Studio.

Ironmaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System

If you are buying for someone who wants to work out at home and doesn't have the space or the resources for a fully equipped dumbbells rack, consider the Ironmaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System. It adjusts from 5-75 pounds, in 2 1/2 lb increments, and gets glowing reviews.

These adjustable dumbbells are not cheap but I hesitate to recommend other brands due to numerous complaints about them coming apart. Safety is paramount when you're lifting weighted objects over your body.

Ironmaster 75 lb Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System

 Turbulence Training

Looking for an exercise program for someone who wants to exercise at home, needs some guidance and doesn't have hours to spend exercising? Check out Craig Ballntyne's Turbulence Training.

Turbulence Training spells it out, workout by workout, exercise by exercise, set by set, and rep by rep, for a full 16-weeks of advanced fat loss workouts. Plus, the program also includes additional beginner workouts that will help any newcomer get started on their fat loss plan.

Craig is a fat-loss expert and has his fat-burning workouts have been published in national magazines such as Men's Health, Women's Health, Oxygen, Prevention and Men's Fitness, along with online newsletters EarlyToRise and Total Health Breakthroughs. You've probably come across his videos on YouTube and Men's Health, as well.

Turbulence Training workouts are so much more efficient and effective than what the majority of people are doing. Craig's fat loss philosophy is backed up by research, including his cardio workouts that are far superior to the common long, slow cardio workouts that too many people are doing (unsuccessfully, I might add).

Read more here ==> Turbulence Training

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Fitness Gift Suggestions For The Holidays, Part 1

In past years, I've recommended gifts for fitness buffs, almost all of which cost less than $30. You can find last year's post here ==> Holiday Gifts For Your Favorite Fitness Buff

This year, my recommendations run the price gamut.

A fitness gift is a great option for someone who already works out or for someone who has expressed interest in getting started. However, giving such a gift to someone because YOU want them to exercise is a bad idea.

That being said, let's get started.

I'm still a huge fan of the GymBoss.

GymBoss Interval Timer

I'm not usually not one of those people who gets off on gadgets but I love my GymBoss. Interval training is a great form of exercise and the GymBoss is an inexpensive and convenient way to keep track of your intervals.

To get the most out of your workout, you need to focus on the exercise at hand. Trying to keep track of the time is an unnecessary distraction, which the GymBoss eliminates.

You can set it for 1 time or 2 different times. For example, you can program it to beep every 30 seconds if you're doing a bodyweight circuit or you can program it for a 30 second work and 60 second recovery (or any combination of times) for other cardio intervals. There is also a handy clip and it comes in hot pink, silver, black or camouflage.

You can get a GymBoss here.

Personal Training

Personal training is a great gift for the beginner or the experienced exerciser.

The safest and most effective way for a novice to get started is to have a program designed specifically for them and to learn to do the exercises correctly from a qualified professional.

Experienced exercisers often get into a rut of doing the same things over and over. A new workout routine can not only eliminate mental boredom but can also jump start their fitness results. Our bodies adapt to doing the same program over and over so it's important to change workout routines every 4-6 weeks for best results.

Personal training will generally run around $35-$100 per one-hour session, with most trainers offering discounts for multiple sessions. Half-hour sessions are also usually available.

If you're in Lancaster, you can call me at (717) 509-7777 for more information and to pick up gift certificates. I train both women and men. 

Small Group Training

If your fitness enthusiast enjoys exercising with others, small group training is a great option. You get the instructional benefits of personal training along with the support and camaraderie of a group.

At Body & Soul, I offer No Pink Dumbbells Fitness Boot Camp. This program is designed for women and men who want to get fit but don’t want to spend hours a day exercising. The training sessions are challenging but are adapted for the fitness level of the participants.

You can get more details at NoPinkDumbbells.com

TRX® Training System

Suspension training is the latest trend in fitness. Notice I said trend, not fad. The TRX is a portable workout system that allows the user to use his/her own body weight to perform a variety of strength, flexibility, endurance and balance exercises.


You may have seen it on The Biggest Loser or in stories about quarterback, Drew Breees', workout program.

The TRX provides a great total body workout for athletes, beginners, military personnel and fitness enthusiasts. The package comes with everything you need to get started: a ceiling or wall anchor, the adjustable straps, training tips and a comprehensive full body workout that can be adapted as your fitness improves.

You can save 20% and get free shipping if you purchase tonight (Sunday 12-12-10) by 11:59 PM, PT which is 2:59 AM Eastern time.

Edited to add: Check out the graphic above; it looks like they lowered the discount but are still offering free shipping until the 16th.


Check back tomorrow for part 2.
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Holiday Gift Suggestions From Craig Ballantyne

I previously posted my holiday gift suggestions on this blog post
==> Holiday Gifts For Your Favorite Fitness Buff. Today I received the e-mail below from Craig Ballantyne containing an article for you about his favorites. Some of our lists overlap- great minds think alike, right?

Hi Mickey,

Just in time for Christmas, I've written an article for your readers on the "Top 5 Holiday Fitness Gifts".

Top 5 Holiday Fat Burning Gifts
Craig Ballantyne, CSCS

With Christmas gifts and New Year's Resolutions only a few weeks away, these are my top 5 gift suggestions. It doesn't matter if you're buying for someone or if you want to know the best fitness gifts to ask for, these are my 5 best fitness present suggestions.

#5 - A kettlebell



With a kettlebell, you can burn calories, do intervals, work your abs, build strength, and completely sculpt your body. Beginner women should start with a 12-18 pound kettlebell while beginner men can start with an 18 or 35 pound bell.




(Mickey's note: If you can find good quality kettlebells locally, you'll save big bucks on shipping. If money’s no object, go with Dragon Door, considered the best by many.

#4 - A blender to create delicious blender drinks and meals

For about $60-$100 you can get a machine to blend up fruits, veggies, nuts, protein powder, and seeds to create a nutrient dense complete meal to overcome busy mornings or to create the perfect snack or dessert. Once you get started "blending your nutrition", you'll be amazed at what you can create.

#3 - A GymBoss Timer


GymBoss Interval Timer

This little timer allows you to set two different intervals and will alert you when each interval is up. It's a cheap - $20 - tool that will help you organize your workouts and maximize your results.

#2 - A Stability Ball



The stability ball is one of the most versatile fitness tools, and it allows you to exercise your abs and back of your legs better than any bodyweight only exercises.



#1 - The Turbulence Training Fat Loss System

With Turbulence Training for Fat Loss you can lose fat and sculpt your body in the comfort of your own home, without doing long, slow, boring cardio. It is a proven, guaranteed program that will help you lose belly fat and get a lean, hard, flat stomach.

So those are the 5 best fitness presents you can give - or receive -this year.

Happy Holidays!
Craig Ballantyne

(Mickey’s note: I never said the guy was modest. :-) Seriously, though, Craig knows how many people have transformed their bodies using his Turbulence Training system and he’s passionate about helping more people.

As I’ve said many times before, I’m a TT member and I know how good his program is. If you can’t work with me in Lancaster or if you just hate gyms, Turbulence Training is the fat loss program I would recommend. It's quick, it's not complicated, and it works.

And, you can even try out Turbulence Training for less than the price of a giant, designer coffee at Starbucks.

Click here to give Turbulence Training a 21-day try-out for less than 5 bucks ==> TT 21 Day Trial

Remember, Craig guarantees TT will work so you have nothing to lose. It’s the perfect program for anyone who wants to lose fat, look better and get healthier.)


P.S. Now is the perfect time to pick up a copy of Turbulence Training because Craig is gearing up for his 7th TT Transformation Contest which starts on Sunday, December 27th. Don’t miss your chance to use Turbulence Training to win up to $1000 cash.

You read that correctly. You can win big bucks for getting in shape. Details to follow.

www.TurbulenceTraining.com

Holiday Gifts For Your Favorite Fitness Buff

Looking to stay as far away from the crowds as possible over the holidays?

Have a fitness buff on your gift list?

You can forget the crowds, save time and promote health by buying fitness related holiday gifts online.

Here are some of my favorites, all are under $30 (unless you're 6'9" or taller):


GymBoss Interval Timer

I'm not usually not one of those people who gets off on gadgets but I love my GymBoss. If you're a regular reader, you know that I'm a big proponent of interval training. Cardio intervals, bodyweight intervals, Tabata training, etc. The GymBoss is an inexpensive and convenient way to keep track of your intervals.

You can set it for 1 time or 2 different times. For example, you can program it to beep every 30 seconds if you're doing a bodyweight circuit or you can program it for a 20 second work and 10 second rest Tabata workout or any combination of times for other interval training. There is also a handy clip, which is helpful when I'm running outside.

To get the most out of your workout, you need to focus on the exercise at hand. Trying to keep track of the time is an unnecessary distraction which the GymBoss eliminates.

You can get your's here.


Plate Mates

In lower weight dumbbells, you can easily find a slightly heavier weight to progress to. At Body & Soul, I have 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 pound dumbbells. However, once you hit 15 pounds, the dumbbells increase by 5 pounds.

That can be a big jump, especially for some exercises and that's where PlateMate Microload Pair 1 1/4 lb. Magnetic Hex Weights come in. Each set contains two 1 1/4 pound magnetic weights that attach to each end of the dumbbell. So, instead of trying to jump from 15 pounds up to 20, you can make 17.5 pound dumbbells using Plate Mates.

Just a reminder- because they are magnetic, they only work on metal dumbbells. Also, you'll need to get two pairs because you need two Plate Mates per dumbbell.

PlateMate Microload Pair 1 1/4 lb. Magnetic Hex Weights



Flashing Safety Light

If you're buying for someone who bikes, walks or runs after dusk, they really should have a good clip on flasher to improve their visibility. This one has 6 different flashing settings or can be set to glow steadily:

Flashing Safety Light



Thera-Band Stability Balls

When I first saw exercise balls popping up at gyms over a decade ago, I thought they were probably just another gimmick. I was wrong. While I have no use for the crazy acrobatic "functional" exercises some trainers have their clients perform, I have found stability balls to be a valuable addition to any gym. If you work out at home, an exercise ball is an excellent way to greatly increase the number of exercises you can do.

I have always used Thera-Band stability balls at the gym. They're a quality product used by many physical therapists and they're very sturdy.

I've read comments by exercisers who had to constantly refill their balls or whose cat burst multiple cheap exercise balls, etc. I very occasionally need to top off my Thera-Band balls with some air but they get used every day by many members.

There have also been some injuries lately related to burst stability balls (you can read about that here ==> Stability Ball Safety) so don't go cheap if you're buying one.

If you are 5'1" - 5'6", you would get a 55cm (red).

For those 5'7 - 6'1", go with the 65cm (green).

If you have exceptionally long legs and are close to the upper height range, you may want to go with the next size up.

Thera-Band Exercise Balls



Spri Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are another item you can find at many discount stores and they may be fine. I haven't had a lot of experience with different brands. An aerobics instructor once told me that she had tried different kinds in her classes and found Spri bands to be the most durable. They're the ones I use at Body & Soul and I've been happy with the quality.

Each band below comes with a door attachment and exercise chart. Regardless of which brand you buy, you will probably do best to get at least two different resistances because you'll be able to use more resistance on some exercises than others- just like with dumbbells. (Please don't tell me that you do all your exercises with the same weight. If so, you're definitely doing yourself a disservice.)

The different colors signify different resistances, going from "light" to "very heavy"

SPRI ES500R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Green, Light)

SPRI ES501R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Red, Medium)

SPRI ES502R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Blue, Heavy)

SPRI ES503R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Purple, Very Heavy)

Gift Suggestions for the Fitness Enthusiast

I'm reposting my fitness-related gift suggestions because, if you're like me, you still have holiday shopping to do.

All of these are under $25 (unless you're 6'9" or taller) except for the Plate Mates, which are About $25 per pair.

GymBoss Interval Timer

I'm not usually not one of those people who gets off on gadgets but I love my GymBoss. If you're a regular reader, you know that I'm a big proponent of interval training. Cardio intervals, bodyweight intervals, Tabata training, etc. The GymBoss is an inexpensive and convenient way to keep track of your intervals.

You can set it for 1 time or 2 different times. For example, you can program it to beep every 30 seconds if you're doing a bodyweight circuit or you can program it for a 20 second work and 10 second rest Tabata workout or any combination of times for other interval training. There is also a handy clip, which is helpful when I'm running outside.

To get the most out of your workout, you need to focus on the exercise at hand. Trying to keep track of the time is an unnecessary distraction which the GymBoss eliminates.

You can get your's here.


Plate Mates

In lower weight dumbbells, you can easily find a slightly heavier weight to progress to. At Body & Soul, I have 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 pound dumbbells. However, once you hit 15 pounds, the dumbbells increase by 5 pounds.

That can be a big jump, especially for some exercises and that's where Plate Mates come in. Each pair contains two 1 1/4 pound magnetic weights that attach to each end of the dumbbell. So, instead of trying to jump from 15 pounds up to 20, you can make 17.5 pound dumbbells using Plate Mates.

Just a reminder- because they are magnetic, they only work on metal dumbbells. Also, you'll need to get two pairs because you need two Plate Mates per dumbbell.

PlateMate Micro Loading 5/8 Pound Hex Weight Plate - 1 Pair


Flashing Safety Light

If you're buying for someone who bikes, walks or runs after dusk, they really should have a good clip on flasher to improve their visibility. This one has 6 different flashing settings or can be set to glow steadily:

Flashing Safety Light


Thera-Band Stability Balls

When I first saw exercise balls popping up at gyms, I thought they were probably just another gimmick. I was wrong. While I have no use for the crazy acrobatic "functional" exercises some trainers have their clients perform, I have found stability balls to be a valuable addition to any gym. If you work out at home, an exercise ball is an excellent way to greatly increase the number of exercises you can do.

I have always used Thera-Band stability balls at Body & Soul. It's a quality product used by many physical therapists and very sturdy.

I've read comments by exercisers who had to constantly refill their balls or whose cat burst multiple cheap exercise balls, etc. I only rarely have to top off my Thera-Band balls with some air but they get used every day by many members.

If you are 5'1" - 5'6", you would get a 55cm (red).

For those 5'7 - 6'1", go with the 65cm (green).

If you have exceptionally long legs and are close to the upper height range, you may want to go with the next size up.

Thera-Band Exercise Balls


Spri Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are another item you can find at many discount stores and they may be fine. I haven't had a lot of experience with different brands. An aerobics instructor once told me that she had tried different kinds in her classes and found Spri bands to be the most durable. They're the ones I use at Body & Soul and I've been happy with the quality.

Each band below comes with a door attachment and exercise chart. Regardless of which brand you buy, you will probably do best to get at least two different resistances because you'll be able to use more resistance on some exercises than others- just like with dumbbells. (Please don't tell me that you do all your exercises with the same weight. If so, you're definitely doing yourself a disservice.)

The different colors signify different resistances, going from "light" to "very heavy"

SPRI ES500R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Green, Light)

SPRI ES501R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Red, Medium)

SPRI ES502R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Blue, Heavy)

SPRI ES503R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Purple, Very Heavy)