Aerobic exercise at home

[lantana]

My friend asked me for some tips to increase her aerobic exercise at home. She lives in a cold climate but does bike outdoors in the warm months. She doesn't want to go to a gym due to problems with migraines in fluoresent lighting. She doesn't have room or money for an exercise machine for at home. I suggested DVDs or FitTV exercises like aerobic dance type programs which she enjoys. Is there anything else to suggest to someone who has these goals for home exercise? I am a fan of my exercise bike and walking, neither of which will work for her. Thanks for any tips. I will pass them along.

Alice

[McSix]

I'm a huge fan of the Walk at Home DVDs by Leslie S. (sorry, DIL has my video and I don't remember her last name. I lost about ten pounds just walking to the music all over the house.

[valchemist]

me too. I love leslie sansone, too. some of the dvd's (esp the earlier ones or of course the ones geared towards beginners) are too easy. but if you findget the right dvd's, you can get a great workout.

[wallycat]

We bundle up and walk in the coldest of times...tomorrow will hit 11 and we will no doubt walk.
My friend goes to the mall and does a few laps indoors.

I used to be a gym rat and finally, finding the parking spot took longer than my several hour work-out, so I quit. I jumped rope in my basement. I also have a Schwinn aerodyne bike and a nordic-track. Jumping rope was one of my favorite things and it helps build bone density!

[McSix]

When my daughter was in high school, she lost about 20 pounds. She looked and felt great. I overheard her talking on the phone to a friend one day--her direct quote was "When I could be sitting, I stand; when I could be standing, I move; I just try to take advantage of every situation." I've always thought that was good advice for all of us.

[Natasha]

Even if your friend doesn't have room for permanent exercise equipment, she might want to consider a bike trainer (like a fluid trainer). She can put her regular bike on it and get in some great workouts, using DVDs or not. When she's done, if she really doesn't have space to leave the bike on the trainer she can remove it and stow them separately. Trainers fold up small and of course she has to stow her bike somewhere anyway. They're also quite inexpensive - a couple of hundred dollars for a good one.