Different Exercise Advice

ThatRyanPerson

My exercise routine during the winter since it's cold and snowing outside has been going 45 minutes on the elliptical machine each day. I go at a brisk pace but don't push myself. The body becomes accustomed to doing the same exercise and it becomes less effective. I tried walking backward on it last night and never felt more awkward walking in my life. It was a good exercise for hamstring and glutes.

What other workouts should I be doing? I'd like to work on stomach, arms and the rest of the upper body. The only weights I have are 10 pound dumbbells. During the summer, I try to cycle every day but it's been way too cold and snowy for that (thanks midwest!)

Thank you for any help

ShibaEars

Body weight exercises are a great way to start. (Pushups, burpees, squats, plank & other core exercises). You can use the dumbbells for shoulder press, bicep curls or just holding them while you do squats.

ThatRyanPerson

Sounds good. Thank you!

AllanMisner

And try doing a turkish get up with one of those dumbbells.

dave4d

Have you tried increasing the resistance on the elliptical?

Body weight exercises are great if you don't have any weights. Pull-ups, push-ups, dip, lunges, squats...

ThatRyanPerson

I'll have to try increased resistance. For the 45 minute workout, the elliptical machine goes from 2-3-4-4-3-4-4-3-2 for resistance.

I need to look up the turkish get up and burpee. Thank you all for the help again! Very nice community here.

Jruzer

Adaptation = training. Go harder, or introduce intervals.

That said, I know where you're coming from regarding getting outside! Our weather hasn't been as bad as the northeast, but we've got a lot of snow on the ground in Wisconsin.

dave4d

When I use the Elliptical machine, I set it on intervals and shoot for a resistance of 15 to 20. I think the max resistance on the one's that I use is around 20 and it takes major effort from both my arms and legs to keep it moving. It makes for a good workout, but it is still just a cardio workout and doesn't provide enough resistance to replace a good strength training program.