I recently asked a runner that I coach how often she’s strength-training. Her confession: She’s not doing any. “I don’t belong to a gym,” she said.

Gym memberships aside, you can always do effective strengthening workouts at home. Having these five inexpensive items on hand can help you get the job done.

1. Fitness ball. Using a fitness or exercise ball is one of the best ways to strengthen your abs and back. It’s a great tool for core-strengthening workouts, as well as for balance exercises and stretching.

2. Exercise mat. When it comes to doing yoga, Pilates or stretching, a basic exercise mat is all you really need. You can score a roll-up mat (so it can be stored or toted easily) made of dense foam or rubber for under $20.

3. Small dumbbells or kettlebells. You don’t need a huge set of weights to tone your upper body. Five-pound dumbbells or kettlebells are perfect for working your biceps and triceps, as well as for adding more resistance to lower-body exercises.

4. Resistance bands. You can use resistance bands as an easy alternative to free weights for strengthening your chest, back, shoulders, arms and legs. To work your biceps, for example, just stand on the band, grip the handles and curl your arms.

5. Jump rope. You may not have picked one up since the fourth grade, but jumping rope is a fun and easy exercise to do at home or on the road. It burns tons of calories, works your upper and lower body, and helps improve your coordination and endurance. For a basic cross-training workout, jump rope for five minutes and alternate with five minutes of strengthening exercises, such as squats and lunges, until you reach 30 minutes.

What’s in your home gym?

Tags: running, home gym