Exercise Toys - Do you need them?

A friend told me a couple days ago that she was going to buy some piece of equipment she saw on t.v. that targeted hips, then she could finally get rid of the fat on her hips! As you all faithfully read my blog, you understand that you cannot spot reduce, so any exercise toy that claims to burn fat off a certain part of your body is a waste of money.  

Never believe that something is going to be a miracle and reduce your thighs or your abs or anything else for that matter. You can build muscle by working the specific muscle, but you cannot burn fat in a specific spot. You burn fat by combining weights and cardiovascular exercise with a reasonable diet. That's it. No tricks, no gimmicks.

Some exercise toys and equipment are useful. A good treadmill, elliptical, Stairmaster or bike are invaluable - especially in the winter when you can't exercise in the fresh air. Hand weights and bands are essential and if you can afford it - a cable machine. I also enjoy exercise balls and benches that will adjust.

I cracked up the other day. I was reading a fitness magazine and the editor said how useless exercise balls are and spent several paragraphs bashing on them. Then the magazine included four articles utilizing exercise balls! Exercise balls are not the key to great fitness, but they are fun to mix things up. I love them for ab work, decline pushups and stretching.

The bottom line is you need exercise equipment, but you don't need to spend a lot of money on it (unless you're buying a decent treadmill, bike, elliptical machine, etc.). Try to use free weights, your body weight, and the great outdoors whenever possible.

Happy fitness!