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Around 25, our metabolisms turn into clogged toilets. Nothing flushes. In comes dad bod, or rather, our lifelong battle against dad bod. What are our weapons?
If you're a young twenty-something, old twenty-something or just a person who doesn't make a six figure salary, you might have reservations about joining a gym. If so, the logical answer is this: workout from home.
The following items are no-brainer necessities that help facilitate better looking arms, backs, stomachs, and just about everything else. Except your mouth—that might look the same. But you have to start somewhere, and these items will help you begin your descent into fitness with a budget on the mind. And don't worry, if you keep up a good regimen, you can still hit Reel M Inn Tavern for fried chicken and gin & tonics at least once every (two) week(s).
Best Fitness Folding Bench, $113
Weights are to fitness benches as wands are to broomsticks. This bench, in particular, will help you fly—dumbbell fly, that is!
This folding weight bench from Best Fitness is easy to assemble and compatible for five bench positions—from a 10-degree negative decline to a 70-degree positive incline. You also have your choice of a flat, incline, or decline bench, making it basically as flexible as Natalie Portman in Black Swan. Also, this thing is travel-friendly: you can fold it up and fit it in a 48-inch duffel bag for business trips!
If you're just beginning to work out, you're not going to want any weights that're too heavy for you to safely lift. If you're six foot, male, and around 150 pounds, for example, you should stick with 12 or 15 lb weights until you're comfortable lifting, because blowing your shoulder or back out is not a fun thing to do.
These lightweight dumbbells from CAP Barbell come in a pair and are made of vinyl-coated cast iron, which makes them a bit less nerve-racking for newcomers. I own a pair of these myself, and it only took a couple weeks before it looked like golf balls were protruding out of my forearms.
Before I got into lifting, I was a yogi. Well, at least I was until that place on Division stopped being donation-based. I strongly encourage a beginning exerciser to intermix yoga with weightlifting, because stretching will loosen your body and build up your stamina.
I like this non slip yoga mat from Clever Yoga for multiple reasons. 1) It comes in an assortment of fun colors. 2) It's longer and wider than the average yoga mat–not to mention thicker, too. 3) The thickness in padding aids your legs when you venture into other types of workout routines, such as pilates. Without the proper padding, pilates can make you feel like you banged your kneecaps against a fire hydrant, because life is dark.
Personally, I find running outside weird. People look like they're in pain when they run, and I don't want to see people in pain. But in Portland, especially in winter, there aren't that many people who run outside. Why? Fear of the known: rain.
Did you know that you can buy a treadmill, otherwise known as an indoor running device, for under $300 (with Amazon Prime)? The Weslo Cadence treadmill is easily foldable, setup is simple, there are six personal trainer workouts included within the system. The only thing you really need that's sold separately is an iPod. This treadmill was built to conserve space, so it's great for studio apartments and young, single beginner fitness rats like myself.
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