Medicine balls, also known as "med balls," are weighted balls about 14 inches in diameter and available in weights ranging from two to 25 pounds. They can be used for strength and agility training, physical therapy and injury rehabilitation, and fat-burning interval exercises. Medicine balls are also particularly valuable for training the core, as well as the shoulders and lower body.

Medicine ball training is an "old school" form of exercise that's making a big comeback. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates stuffed animal skins with sand so his patients could toss them back and forth. Today, medicine balls are generally covered in leather, vinyl or polyester. Firm medicine balls are ideal for resistance training, while the softer, polyester-covered models are great for throwing, catching, bouncing and partner exercises.

Medicine ball training is ideal for both beginners and advanced exercisers because the weight of the ball can be scaled to participants' fitness levels. Lighter medicine balls -- four, six and eight pounds -- are the best option for partner exercises like one-arm throws, chest passes, overhead throws and rotations. A 10- or 12-pound ball can be used for sit-ups, squats and lunges in place of dumbbells, and may even be more effective in getting toned than using dumbbells or weight machines.

Check out these 10 cool exercises with medicine balls for easy ways to incorporate medicine ball training into your workout routine.

A kettlebell workout is done with a kettlebell or traditional Russian weight used for strength training. The kettlebell, typically made from cast iron, can weigh as little as 10 pounds or more than 100 pounds and looks like a large cannonball with a handle on top. Called "one of the most effective means of strength development" by the Soviet armed forces, kettlebell workouts have been popular in Russia for decades and have recently caught on in the U.S.

There are numerous benefits from kettlebell workouts. Training with kettelbells builds strength without adding bulk by allowing users to develop lean muscles. Kettlebell workouts also increase explosive power, agility and stamina. Those who want to outfit their home gym without too much expense often turn to kettlebells, too. Just one or two kettlebells can replace tons of other equipment like weights, barbells, dumbbells and cardio machines.

Kettlebell workouts are effective for toning the entire body because multiple muscle groups are engaged throughout each exercise. These workouts can be customized to different fitness levels, but beginners should work with an experienced instructor to make sure they are using correct form. Like any other piece of exercise equipment, kettlebells that are used incorrectly can cause injuries.

Basic kettlebell moves include the swing, high pull, snatch, overhead press and Turkish get-up. Classic kettlebells can be purchased online and range in price from $47 to $218 each.

When you're ready to begin using kettlebells, you can pull together your own kettlebell workout.

Home gyms are great to have, but there are a couple of drawbacks. For one thing, they tend to be a bit costly. Plus, it takes up a lot of room, so unless you have a whole extra room dedicated to fitness equipment, it can be an eyesore. But, if you need to have a home gym, what other option do you have?

The HealthCare Chin-Up Exercise Bar seems like a good choice if you don't want to spend a ton of money and don't have a lot of space. It's only about $50 ($54.99, on sale right now for $44.99 here), and it can easily be folded up and put away in a closet when not in use.

And, as far as use goes, it's easy to use it in a variety of ways. First and foremost, it's a chin-up/pull-up bar. As you can see in the picture above, it goes up in your doorway (no drilling or holes or anything like that required), holds up to 300 pounds, and can be taken back down in seconds.

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Most abdominal exercises can't quite be called relaxing. You might enjoy them, and they might not be painful, but if you try to tell me any exercises really feel wonderful while you're doing them, I'm going to ... well, I just won't believe you. But that's not really my point.

This week's Fit Gadget, the Multi-Core-Flex Excel Body Gym, is designed to massage your back while working your abs, quads, and inner and outer thighs. Actually, it claims that, in addition to giving you a fantastic workout, it will give you "the most relaxing back massage you've ever had. Its comfortable rounded pads enable you to stretch your entire upper body as well as your back for total relaxation."

Hmm ...

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There are certain unassailable truths when it comes to gyms and fitness centers. One, you're bound to run into any number of interesting characters. Two, there will almost invariably be a wide array of fitness equipment from which to choose. And three, for some people, gyms may be the last place on earth they'd ever want to step foot in, let alone workout in.

For the fitness newbie, gyms can be very intimidating places. For seasoned exercisers (especially those who are into outdoor sports and fitness), gyms can sometimes be too confining. And for all of us living in a struggling economy, paying a hefty gym membership may not be in the budget. Whatever the reason, sometimes gyms just aren't the answer. That's why so many people opt for home workouts, in addition to the intrinsic convenience and comfort that being in your residence provides. However, just because you exercise at home, doesn't mean that you can't get a solid workout. Building a home gym is easier than you probably think, not to mention very inexpensive. Despite what many ads may suggest, it's not necessary to spend an arm and a leg to purchase equipment to work those very same body parts.

First of all, it's entirely possible to get a good workout without buying any home gym equipment at all. In addition to the obvious free solutions (running outdoors, hiking, etc.), you can also get a good resistance training workout using only your own body weight. Still, there may come a time when you need or want some basic fitness goodies, which is why the following suggestions may be of interest.

The Bench. A staple piece of gym equipment. Do you need to buy one? Not necessarily. An easy solution is to lay a solid plank of wood over two discarded milk crates. You can secure the plank to the crates with wire or nuts and bolts. Plus, if you need a little padding, wrap an old blanket around the plank and secure it with rubber bands. Cost = No idea. Probably free or close to it.

In my teeny-tiny house, I don't have room for a dining room table, let alone a treadmill. But a girl can dream, right? With the fitness industry booming, it seems like there are so many cool gadgets to help whip you in to shape. And while I'm certain that there's no better place to get in shape than the outdoors, it's not always reasonable to get outside, especially when you are Canadian. So I sometimes find myself thinking of all the fabulous fitness equipment I would have if I had a) room for it, and b) loads of money that wasn't already allocated to bills.

So here's what I would have in my dream gym, in my dream house, if money wasn't an issue:

In honour of Independence day and the troops that risk their lives for our freedom, here's an inspiring story from eDiets about a soldier in Iraq who takes time out his busy, frightening days to exercise.

When Sgt. Joe Chiarella arrived in Iraq, he was determined to keep in shape, and he and his fellow soldiers built a makeshift gym using spare plywood, old gear and sandbags. As the war continued, they found themselves constantly adding to their 'gym' by welding pieces together, upholstering their benches and giving their equipment a fresh coat of pain. Joe takes a little time out of every day to work in a workout, because he knows it's important to keep in shape.

A story like this kind of makes our excuses for not going to the gym a bit petty, don't you think?

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Forget expensive gym memberships, fancy equipment, and pricey workout clothes -- here's a home workout that won't cost you a dime. With equipment that nearly every home has (bathtub, kitchen chair, masking tape), it's both cheap and easy to assemble this home gym.

Not only that, this workout looks surprisingly efficient. Combining bursts of aerobic activity like stair climbing and jumping in place with muscle-building strength training moves, this 10-minute workout (20 if you do it twice) appears to have it all. If you're short on time, light on cash, or just don't feel like leaving the house...give it a try!

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Back in the days when I was single, without children, and employed full-time, I almost always had a gym membership. Whether it was the small women-only gym in my home town, the bigger corporate gym near my apartment in the city, or the community center that I passed on my commute to work, I always had somewhere to go to burn off that extra energy. But with my schedule, responsibilities, and budget today, a gym membership is out of the question. So my workouts take place either in my home or on the streets and sidewalks surrounding it. Sometimes I miss those days of putting on my headphones and losing myself in 45 minutes on the elliptical machine, but exercising at home has its perks too.

If exercising at home suits you, here are some excellent tips on how to create your own home gym. Whether you want to go small (think a jump rope, stability ball, and some dumbbells) or large (like a treadmill and a Bowflex machine), there are a lot of different options for creating a workout space with all the materials you need to reach your goals. One thing I'd add to the list would be videos or DVDs, especially for beginners who might not yet have "all the right moves."

It doesn't matter where you exercise, just that you do it. Finding a time, a place, and a routine that fits your lifestyle will help ensure that you stick with your program for good.

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