As we seek to combat obesity, retain our youthful vigor, and look good on a daily basis, we often invest our money in gym memberships and costly equipment in order to ensure a proper and challenging workout. Gym memberships can range anywhere from $300-$1000 a year depending on prestige and what is offered. If it is hard to find the time to get to the gym, some may prefer home gyms.Those who elect to build there own home gym will usually spend somewhere in the same range price of a full year membership. However, this takes up a lot of space in the home and can draw the ire of a less fitness enthusiastic spouse, significant other or roommate. Should you have to sacrifice your fitness under the auspices of keeping the peace? Of course the answer is "no".

Your commitment to fitness is vital to leading a less stressful and more healthy life. Instead of sacrificing, apply a very workable solution that will be economical, space efficient and effective. You can have a home gym that provides great workout options, takes up virtually little to no space and cost less than a $100! You need only purchase 3 items: Pull-up bar, stability ball, and a pair of dumb bells.The pull-up bar is often overlooked on the value it offers the body in the way of fitness. With both pull-ups and chin-up, you have a compound exercise that works biceps, forearms and upper back muscles. By hanging from the bar and doing knee and leg lifts, you can also work the abdominals. Your body provides the necessary resistance. You can purchase pull-up bars (ones that adjust to doorways) for as little as $20.

The stability or fitness ball is yet another fitness tool which multi-faceted use can prove extensively valuable to an at home work out. With many of the exercises that involve the stability ball, your core muscles are in constant use. This is even the case when doing bench presses or flies; your abdominals are working to keep you stable while you are pressing. You can procure a stability ball starting at around $10 dependent upon where you purchase it.

Last but not least are dumb bells. You should choose wisely when purchasing dumb bells. Find a weight that will provide reasonable resistance and can be utilized in a variety of exercises. Dumb bells provide for versatility in your workouts and can be used to both strengthen and tone. A few examples are, military press, lunges, curls, tricep extensions, goblet squats, bench press and back rows. The possibilities are endless, especially when used in combination with the pull-up bar, stability ball and calisthenics. A pair of 20 pound dumbbells will cost approximately $35. However, the price you will spend will be dependent on the amount of weight you want.

A disciplined steadfast utilization of these three items with the incorporation of cardio such as running, walking, biking, swimming, etc., will render more than satisfactory results as it relates to over all physical fitness.