Are they enough?

jgdsf73
jgdsf73 Posts: 41 Member
edited August 2018 in Fitness and Exercise
I recently got out of a 1 year gym membership and still have buyers remorse. I am attempting to workout from home and looking for advice. Currently I have a set of weights that are 3lb, 5lb, and 8 lb. I want to tone as I lose because I like the results however I'm afraid I won't get the results I'm looking for with what I have available. Any suggestions on items I could add? I have limited space so machines aren't an option at this time.

Replies

  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    You could buy some more dumbells, I got a set that can be added to, they go up to 40lbs. Also resistance bands take up no space and are very useful. Also there are body weight exercises you can do, lots of workouts on youtube.
    You will get the results at home just fine, I know I did/do - its a matter of being consistent and working our muscle groups regularly.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Dumbbells are fine, just buy heavier ones as you need them
  • shaf238
    shaf238 Posts: 4,022 Member
    Search for bodyweight exercises too :)
  • Go_Deskercise
    Go_Deskercise Posts: 1,630 Member
    edited August 2018
    I just work with what I have around the house.

    Lift a.....

    Laundry detergent bottle
    25lb bag of dog food
    End of a couch
    A small end table or small coffee table
    Bucket of water

    Plenty of heavy stuff around the house to lift :)

    edit: I also have a jump rope that now that I think of it, I haven't used in quite a while, but I use to do that daily. Guess I need to get back on that :D
  • Linkero
    Linkero Posts: 28 Member
    Aside from the aforementioned dumbbells, you can also try resistance bands. I recently got a set that has a combined resistance of 100lbs. All you need is yourself and a door and you can store them in a drawer.
  • jgdsf73
    jgdsf73 Posts: 41 Member
    LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »
    You could buy some more dumbells, I got a set that can be added to, they go up to 40lbs. Also resistance bands take up no space and are very useful. Also there are body weight exercises you can do, lots of workouts on youtube.
    You will get the results at home just fine, I know I did/do - its a matter of being consistent and working our muscle groups regularly.

    Great idea! I hadn't even thought of searching YouTube. Thanks!
  • jgdsf73
    jgdsf73 Posts: 41 Member
    shaf238 wrote: »
    Search for bodyweight exercises too :)

    Doing that now. Thank you!
  • dollarbill181
    dollarbill181 Posts: 67 Member
    I was about to suggest a dumbbell rack w/ weight set till someone mentioned resistance bands. Didn't even think of that. Takes up less space and you're less likely to stub a toe from one laying around. Might have to rethink my own setup. :o
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Dumbbells are fine, just buy heavier ones as you need them
    agreed.

    shaf238 wrote: »
    Search for bodyweight exercises too :)
    also agreed.



    The trick is providing sufficient resistance (stimulus) to your muscles. There are lots of ways to do that.
  • jgdsf73
    jgdsf73 Posts: 41 Member
    DeadliftsAndSprinkles wrote: »
    dollarbill181 wrote: »
    I was about to suggest a dumbbell rack w/ weight set till someone mentioned resistance bands. Didn't even think of that. Takes up less space and you're less likely to stub a toe from one laying around. Might have to rethink my own setup. :o

    You can accidentally let go and smack yourself in the face though :laugh:

    Yesssss! I definitely fear this! My middle name isn't Grace without a reason 😊
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    This thread includes a few recommended body weight programs:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

    I asked for Powerblock adjustable dumbbells from Santa and love them. I was starting to amass quite an eclectic collection of multi-colored mismatched dumbbells :lol:
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    jgdsf73 wrote: »
    shaf238 wrote: »
    Search for bodyweight exercises too :)

    Doing that now. Thank you!

    Look up "you are your own gym" and "convict conditioning."
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    DeadliftsAndSprinkles wrote: »
    dollarbill181 wrote: »
    I was about to suggest a dumbbell rack w/ weight set till someone mentioned resistance bands. Didn't even think of that. Takes up less space and you're less likely to stub a toe from one laying around. Might have to rethink my own setup. :o

    You can accidentally let go and smack yourself in the face though :laugh:

    No pains, no gains. :bigsmile:
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    jgdsf73 wrote: »
    I recently got out of a 1 year gym membership and still have buyers remorse. I am attempting to workout from home and looking for advice. Currently I have a set of weights that are 3lb, 5lb, and 8 lb. I want to tone as I lose because I like the results however I'm afraid I won't get the results I'm looking for with what I have available. Any suggestions on items I could add? I have limited space so machines aren't an option at this time.

    I work out in my basement. In addition to buying heavier dumbbells as needed, the equipment I use in my workouts include:
    • A mat
    • A cardio step (used in side squats, and I used to use for push-ups, before I "graduated" to the mat)
    • Stability ball (I use it for seated lat lifts, chest presses, push-ups, Ys and Ts, biceps curls, and triceps extensions. I also sit on one for a minute or two when resting between sets.)
    • Weighted balls. My warm-up routine involves three exercises that require a ball and I wanted to add a little more effort, so I use a 6-lb ball for them. One ab exercise is called a "deep abs ball transfer". It involves lying on my back, knees bent, arms extended behind me, holding a ball in both hands. I suck in my belly raise the ball in my hands, lift my knees and transfer the ball from hands to knees, return arms and legs to start position, then raise them again and pass the ball back to my hands. I use an 8lb slam ball for that one.
    • Resistance bands. I use one for the other three exercises in my warm-up routine.
    • Adjustable ankle weights
  • auzziecawth
    auzziecawth Posts: 244 Member
    Or you could go the kettlebell route. Strength and weight with the added benefit of cardio.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    Since I haven't seen it mentioned, I'll add TRX/gymnastics rings/similar to the list of options. It can be a great bang-for-the-buck and bang-for-the-space option.
  • jgdsf73
    jgdsf73 Posts: 41 Member
    estherdragonbat wrote: »
    jgdsf73 wrote: »
    I recently got out of a 1 year gym membership and still have buyers remorse. I am attempting to workout from home and looking for advice. Currently I have a set of weights that are 3lb, 5lb, and 8 lb. I want to tone as I lose because I like the results however I'm afraid I won't get the results I'm looking for with what I have available. Any suggestions on items I could add? I have limited space so machines aren't an option at this time.

    I work out in my basement. In addition to buying heavier dumbbells as needed, the equipment I use in my workouts include:
    • A mat
    • A cardio step (used in side squats, and I used to use for push-ups, before I "graduated" to the mat)
    • Stability ball (I use it for seated lat lifts, chest presses, push-ups, Ys and Ts, biceps curls, and triceps extensions. I also sit on one for a minute or two when resting between sets.)
    • Weighted balls. My warm-up routine involves three exercises that require a ball and I wanted to add a little more effort, so I use a 6-lb ball for them. One ab exercise is called a "deep abs ball transfer". It involves lying on my back, knees bent, arms extended behind me, holding a ball in both hands. I suck in my belly raise the ball in my hands, lift my knees and transfer the ball from hands to knees, return arms and legs to start position, then raise them again and pass the ball back to my hands. I use an 8lb slam ball for that one.
    • Resistance bands. I use one for the other three exercises in my warm-up routine.
    • Adjustable ankle weights

    I saw and considered a stability ball on Amazon. That among other things (resistance bands, ankle weights, etc). Liking the YouTube info I'm finding also.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,226 Member
    Check garage sales/tag sales and things like Craigslist for barbell sets or other exercise equipment that might fit in your space/budget. People sell a lot of exercise equipment, often lightly used and pretty affordable.
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    When I quit the gym I searched FaceBook Marketplace for exercise equipment. I got dumbells 5/10/15/20lbs and adjustable kettlebell. I set up a free account on Fitnessblender and have been utilizing and enjoying it all ever since!!!

    I also got a used total gym, hoping DH would use it, which he hasn't. But I should have checked it better because it is in a lot worse shape than I initially thought. Even brand new it's pretty cheap though and there if DH ever wants it.
  • Candyspun
    Candyspun Posts: 370 Member
    I have an adjustable dumbbell set, it's great. I also live in a small house, so I need to really watch it when I add to my exercise gear collection. I have a cardio step that was very inexpensive. It doesn't take up too much room, and my children use it as a seat, when it's not in use by me. Also, because I'm 5'1, I can also use it to lie back on as a weight bench. This wouldn't help tall people, though. I also use a fitness ball to sit on while I'm doing my weights and for my core.

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