Your gym might be too far. Your gym might be too pricey. Your gym just might not cut it as the warm welcoming place you want to go to, after a hard day at work. If you are new to the idea of a comprehensive fitness regimen, and recently decided to start working out in the privacy of your home, have heart, for it can be as fulfilling as a gym regimen, minus the expense and time spent travelling.

Home workouts can help transform your body (however daunting as that sounds) using simple props such as resistance bands, yoga mat, foam rollers and your own body weight. What you need is a TV or your computer, a bottle of water and a mat to begin your workout. Here’s a lowdown on the most popular ones that deliver results in record time, provided you do them consistently.

Created by Tony Horton, P90x is a popular home exercise regimen known for high intensity workouts. A 90-day program that combines strength training, cardio, yoga, plyometrics and dynamic stretching, the program kit includes a nutrition guide, fitness plan, calendar, and series of DVDs demonstrating a variety of techniques.

Pros: It’s based on the premise of “muscle confusion” which demands that you change your workouts frequently to prevent injury from overtraining, and keep your muscles guessing, to enhance performance. It uses simple, easy to procure props such as skipping ropes, dumbbells, yoga mat, resistant bands and pull up bars. There are enough workouts to choose from, and the variety keeps your muscles guessing and prevents workout plateaus and boredom. You can choose to go at your own pace and stop when you feel tired.

Cons: The DVD is steep at $120, but it still costs less than your regular gym. The workouts are about an hour long so you need to be able to find time a few times a week in order to complete the sessions. To purchase the DVD, visit www.beachbody.com.

Rushfit is a high intensity workout regimen that has gathered a loyal following worldwide. With celebrity mixed martial arts fighter Georges St Pierre co-hosting the instructions along with his trainer Erik Owings, this workout instantly appeals to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) enthusiasts and cross fitters. At a price of $89.99 (plus shipping and handling), Rushfit contains five DVDs and a bonus DVD, each offering unique training goals.

Pros: Rushfit requires minimum investment and has gathered a loyal fan following because of its versatility. It can be performed in the comfort of your own home, gym, hotel room and requires very few props. It contains a comprehensive section on pre and post-exercise nutrition that consists of easy-to-prepare meals high in protein.

Cons: Cardio junkies and running enthusiasts are often disappointed because Rushfit doesn’t lay emphasis on long cardio sessions. To purchase the DVD, visit www.gsprushfit.com.

Home workouts can help transform your body (however daunting as that sounds) using simple props such as your own body weight.
Insanity is a 60-day exercise regimen designed by the company Beach Body and led by fitness trainer Shawn T Sold on Beachbody.com. The program costs $120 and includes 10 workout DVDs, a comprehensive nutrition guide and a workout calendar to track your process. Each exercise video lasts about 45 minutes and you can choose to stop when it gets difficult. Unlike P90x, Insanity is a prop-free workout that uses only body weight for resistance and support. It mixes alternating periods of short intensive training with less-intense recovery periods.

Pros: It uses your body weight for resistance and you get a leaner body and a strong core if you follow it diligently.

Cons: You need a doctor’s clearance before you go ahead with this program because it is an extremely difficult, high intensity regime. To purchase the DVD, visit www.beachbody.com.

Tips to get started:

Speak to your general physician before you attempt any of these exercise regimes. If necessary, get a cardio test to check whether your heart is healthy. Remember to take a break if you feel faint, giddy, out of breath or dizzy. It is a wise idea to procure a heart rate monitor and wear it while you exercise. Regular exercisers and athletes actually have lower resting heart rates as a result of consistent cardiovascular exercise. Keep yourself hydrated. Opt for water or lemonade instead of Gatorade. Lastly, pre and post workout nutrition is extremely crucial and deserves special mention. Don’t neglect these meals and make sure you are eating enough to fuel your workouts and jumpstart your metabolism. Good luck! Don’t say I didn’t warn you

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