Creating a home gym

I've been working out at home exclusively for almost a year now and my little home gym fits neatly underneath my desk in our little house (925 sq ft). I used to think the only way to get really fit was through expensive gym memberships, personal trainers and very controlled nutrition (more on trainers and nutrition later). Here's what I have in my home gym - and while a couple of items may be pricey, think about how much you'd pay for a gym membership each month! These you get to keep forever!

1. A balance ball - I prefer the ball to a bench because you can do so much more with it. And when my work out is over, it serves as a chair at my desk!

2. Resistance bands with a door attachment - Resistance bands are so flexible (pun intended) that you can use them for just about anything. Add a door attachment for pull-up and chin-ups. Get 3-4 of resistance levels and combine them as your strength increases.

3. Selecttech weights by BowFlex. These are the biggest investment in my home gym I made, but they're awesome! Dial the weight you want and start lifting. Ranges from 5-52.5 pounds. Imagine what your gym would look like if you had all those weights in your house!

4. A yoga mat. Great for ab days, yoga, pilates, and more! Rolls up and barely takes up any space! 5. A yoga wheel. While this isn't a necessary item for your home gym, I like having one because it allows me to stretch deeper in my yoga practice and I can do passive back bends on it. Added bonus, it's a great distraction for my kiddo!

6. A pretty water bottle. So you can stay hydrated and feel fancy!