Starting out exercises from home?

kafrantz

As so many above said, Leslie Sansone rocks! I just finished one of her DVDs. The one I have (walk to the hits) is 45 minutes and equals 3 miles. I'm so not coordinated and I've never been good at work out videos but hers is so easy. You can walk at your own pace too. It's perfect for beginners, in my opinion.

bsbprincess

I love the Jillian Michaels videos for when I'm just starting out. Here is level 1 on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pc-NizMgg8 They also have Level 2 and 3 and some of her other videos on youtube. 30 day shred is best if you're very new to working out or it's been years like me!

Also Bob Harper's Pure Burn Super Strength is fantastic. The hour workout was kicking my butt.

I keep hearing about You Are Your Own Gym, so I think I'll get that soon.

Good luck!! And if you'd like feel free to add me as a friend I love having a lot of fitness buddies to support/get support from.

EDIT: I didn't intend to embed that video, I just posted a link. Hope that's ok with the admins

mikebooker1

It looks like everyone here has provided some great at home solutions so I'll just throw my 2 cents worth of experience in. I used to be a "gym rat" and scoffed at the idea of home workouts. I always felt you needed commercial grade equipment and a membership to show for all your hard work. Well life for me finally settled in and it became harder and harder to (1) eat correctly, (2) find time to even go to the gym.

Well a few months ago I figured a "sub-par" home workout was better than no workout so I bought an elliptical and few items like a jump rope, fitness ball and work out dvds.

I'll admit I really enjoy working out at home now and it's so nice to be able to duck off in the back of the house and sneak a workout in. Really any workout is what you make of it and I know believe in home workouts.

*Plus at home your clothes don't have match*

Also anyone feel free to add me!

perifecto

Even when I have access to a gym, the bulk of exercise in my lifetime has been at home. Walking, push ups, triceps dips using the counter or two chairs, sit ups or crunches and other "mat" exercises are free with videos online in case you need help seeing proper form or developing a program. Pinterest is one of my favorite things as so many people have already done research and assembled boards with great information.

Dancing off weight or just for fitness is pretty popular whether through Zumba, other dance DVDs, Just Dance on a game system or just playing favorite music and dancing for a sustained period. I have figured out some play lists with songs at a good pace that I saved to my phone and use for water aerobics, spinning or just dancing. By the way, a big Ziploc bag to protect your phone from splashes and a cheap portable speaker connected to the earbud jack are great to take the workout anywhere even for a small group by the pool. (Altec battery powered speaker on Amazon about $20 has been great for sound and sound quality. It's about the size of 1/2 soda can.)

Resistance training is great for women. If you can't afford a gym to access weight machines or free weights, perhaps you can get dumb bells or kettle bells in a few sizes. I found kettle bells in 3 sizes per set at ALDI, a small discount grocer for very little. You could improvise with food cans, water or sand filled containers/jugs, strength bands, etc. Goodwill and other charity shops always seem to have some cheap exercise equipment as do yard sales and Craigslist. Heavier weights 10 pounds and up per arm to start with regular increases give the faster and more noticeable results.

Some cities have free or very inexpensive community recreation centers that include exercise equipment even if they don't have an indoor pool. For instance, my school district has a fantastic indoor swim complex that is shared by the high schools in our two cities. However, when there are not closed team practices or swim meets, anyone can use the pool for very little. Residents pay $2 and others $3. Our little city exercise area is cheaper than a commercial gym too, so look around.

I belonged to a large church in college which had its own fitness facility that included bowling and basketball/volleyball courts. They hosted league play that was another super cheap way to get in more exercise with friends. Where I live now there are several large churches with fitness facilities on site, but they don't advertise even if nonmembers can join or visit.

Depending on your budget, buying a versatile piece of equipment for home use on flexible payments through QVC or HSN might be an option. I got a Pilates reformer on 6 months flex pay and later a Malibu Pilates chair the same way. They send the item after the first payment and shipping is paid, then charge your credit card monthly until it's all paid. Shipping was free on my big items.

Rosettarose2011

I have been using a free app call SWORKIT. It is great you can make a custom workout or click the five minute button and bam a quick five minute work out. I love it so far.

kryss_xoxo

Insanity

Rdsgoal16

I removed my recliner and put a recumbent bike in its place, I taped the remote control to my TV on the arms so I basically need to be sitting on it to change channels. I average 30 minutes a day on it and time flies by watching a "Scrubs" Netflix episode.

wtmorrow

There is a site called Ideal Shape and they have a 12 week challenge and I do their free 20 minutes of workouts 6 days a week, a great thing for free, they truly care. You can buy shakes, bars etc. also if you want but you don't have to. They even give you a plan with the 12 week challenge, all free.

krithsai

Therealobi1 wrote: »

ksmi141 wrote: »

I second Fitness Blender!

Third fitnessblender

Millionth fitnessblender. Fitnessblender is all you need.

whooRAWRowlbear

I've started to do C25K three times a week and doing a beginner dumbbell routine I found on bodybuilding.com. I'll complete my first week of this, and am riding on the exercise high (more energy, better focus and productivity, not falling asleep on the ride to work).

AlphaCajun

Tabata. Fitnessblender.com You'll need a tabata timer that you can download on your phone and about 30 minutes. No special equipment required.

dkingdom1

I use Blogilates because Cassie's workouts are amazing (even though I don't agree with some of her ideas, but. ). It's on YouTube. I'm taking a break from the gym right now (and just what I need too).

kialea22

I personally do not like gyms(bad experience)!
I bought a pedometer, and my phone has a built in one as well. I use both to calculate my walking distance. I will be investing in a nicer one soon.

I just walk lots of walking, its amazing(outside, inside around my house, anywhere!)
I literally throw on my headphones, blast some music, and walk back and forth around my apartment. Before you know it I am jogging in place, dancing, and having fun.(looking like a fool though)

I check my pedometer at the end of the day, say 7 pm if I have not done much activity I feel guilty! The numbers make it real for me and upset me! So that is my motivation to get moving.
Also I went pinterest crazy looking at workouts! https://www.pinterest.com/kialea22/fitness/

I have a entire board about the subject.
I started with buying small weights 3, 5, 8, & 10's.
I use the 3's when I walk to just keep my arms busy. I use 5 or 8 to do simple arm exercises curls, lateral raises, etc...
For the heavier weights I use them to squat and lunge with! There are hundreds of workouts you can do. Try looking some up on you tube, google or like I mentioned pinterest! (good ol' internet)

Hope this helped a bit:)

pondee629

AlphaCajun wrote: »

Tabata. Fitnessblender.com You'll need a tabata timer that you can download on your phone and about 30 minutes. No special equipment required.

FitnessBlender times the workout for you. Just exercise in front of your lap top and go.

multivenue

Another vote for fitness blender here. Started it a couple of years ago and all went well.....till I decided to slow down a bit, a complete halt for the last year. So back on the waggon with intention to make proper lifestyle changes. I bought (honestly these are so cheap it hardly seems like supporting them at all), three of their programmes to give me an ordered structure and have just started back into the 4 week low impact for beginners. This plus 2 of the 8 week programmes will take me through to May all going well.
I really like their style; plain, simple and straightforward. Plus no music so I can play my own.

smotheredincheese

krithsai wrote: »

Therealobi1 wrote: »

ksmi141 wrote: »

I second Fitness Blender!

Third fitnessblender

Millionth fitnessblender. Fitnessblender is all you need.

Billionth Fitnessblender

strong_curves

Fitness Blender, Blogilates and if you like high intensity Millionaire Hoy. I like Millionaire Hoy a lot.

sumer3683

I also recommend Leslie Sansone's walk away the pounds. i have one video that has 1, 2,3 and 4 mile walks and i just ordered another DVD which has a 5 day walk plan. look at walmart.com, they are only $7.50 and a great start for a beginner, they give you more muscle workout than you would think!

debraran1

carakit wrote: »

I do a lot of workout programs at home. I have done a lot of the beachbody programs. But I just signed up for the "Daily Burn" and I love it!

I am going to try a free trial, I liked Fitness Glo also, 12.00 a month but it had some great fitness professionals and very easy to contact and stop if needed. I also use DVD's and online sites but like variety.

gettingsexybck007

I'm using a treadmill, my stairs and Xbox and Wii games

stellarosecrafts

You should try blogilates. There are a mix of videos ranging ebtween pilates, cardio, hiit training all on youtube (free YAY!). I follow the calender that she makes every month and its so super easy!

tasaiar1

Youtube videos, squats, lunges.
I also jog up and down my halfway and in and it off rooms lol jog on the spot too

Lots you can do at home