The Best Home Gym Equipment for Any Budget

Flexibility Tools: Self-Massage vs. Pro-Massage

Steal: Yamuna Body Rolling

Roll these 4- to 9-inch balls across your body's knotted muscles to simulate a self-induced sports massage that releases muscle tension and increases blood flow.

Cost: Balls range from $15.50 to $23.95; book and DVD guides are extra. Available by calling 800-877-8429, or log on to yamunabodyrolling.com.

Splurge: Thai Massage (not shown)

This form of massage uses assisted stretching to increase flexibility. More than just kneading your muscles -- a therapist places you in stretches and yoga poses, gently pushing your joints and muscles to their fullest range of motion, says Missy Lane, Thai massage therapist at the Exhale Spa in Santa Monica, California.

Cost: Ranges from $125 to $250 per hour, depending on spa and location. Try Exhale Spas ($125 for 60 minutes) in Boston, Chicago, and New York City; exhalespa.com.

Originally published in Fitness magazine, April 2006.