To the people who workout at home.....

ordinaryloser

I'm down 41 lbs and haven't been to a gym yet and I've managed (with a small apartment mind you) to build a decent size "exercise corner" I guess you could call it. I have a weight bench w/ barbell with weights that go up to 200 almost. There's the kettle bells (up to 30lbs), adjustable dumbbells (up to 40-45lbs), yoga mat, ab wheel, resistance bands, stability ball and I believe that's it for now.

I'm also looking into getting a stepper and a stationary bike. I have countless DVD's (and there's always YouTube) but I hardly use either as sources lately since I've been getting more equipment plus I happen to be on the 3rd floor, so jumping etc is no bueno.

I usually work out 3-4 times a week anywhere from 45 mins to hr, and on the "rest days" I do mild cardio at my job which has a treadmill and bike. Don't see me ever getting a gym membership tbh. I might use a guest pass from time to time but I do my best work alone in solitude

CaraRahl

Equipment: small dumbbells (2, 3, and 5 lbs), small kettlebell (10 lbs), resistance bands, jump rope, aerobic step, pilates ball, yoga mat/blocks/strap, and my foam roller (I love my foam roller)

DVDs: a variety of Jillian Michaels, Beachbody, and Ballet Beautiful DVDs mixed with a large number of FitnessBlender videos

How Heavy: still working on building up strength, max 10 lbs per hand, don't do barbell yet

How Long: anywhere from half an hour to 2 hours at a time, depends on the day and what I want to accomplish

Times per week: every day. once a week is flexibility day (yoga/pilates/stretching blend) and once a week is C25k, the rest involves some form of strength training and/or some type of cardio

gonna be moving soon/changing jobs and will have time and money for a gym membership, which is exciting since there's a pool and an arena at the gym I'm looking at, which means swimming and skating again, not to mention the chance to try out some more strength training, but I still plan on keeping up with the majority of my home workouts (no feeling self-conscious, I get to try a wide variety of activities, plus if I wake up and want to do kickboxing in my pjs I can

SkimFlatWhite68

I have recently set up my Garage Gym and love it. It is super convenient, there is always room, no waiting or changing my plans of what I want to do, I can wear what I want and if it's raining I don't have to go out in the wet. If I get hot I can take my top off and I can dance around like a crazy person between sets if I feel like it. No travel time. No creepy dudes staring at me. Awesome all round!

A) What equipment do you use?
I have a barbell and 2 dumbbell bars and just under 100kg weight plates between 1.25 - 10kg. 16kg kettlebell, BOSU, Resistance Bands, Gym mats and yoga mat, Spin Bike, skipping rope. Also have a TV/DVD.

Do you use any dvds, insanity, 30 day challenges etc?
Just got the Les Mills Pump programme on DVD, looks good for days when I want to zone out and not plan a workout. Also have P90X, Jillian Michaels Shred, Pilates and Yoga. I've only done the Pilates so far, usually I plan and do my own weight training.

C) How heavy do you lift if you use weights... ie what kg?
I don't have a squat rack, so can't go heavy on legs as I can't raise more than 25kg safely up and over my head. So anywhere from 25kg down to 5kg. Lifting weights will give you the curves that you want and if I were you I would lift heavy - believe me, if you think you are getting "bulky" you can always go lighter.. Just give it a try and you will get that "toned" look you want.

D) How long do you workout for?
I like to do split routines and supersets, so my weights usually go for about 35-45 minutes and then I chase that up with 10-15 mins HIIT on the bike.

E) How many times a week?
3-4. Love it.

marvybells

A) What equipment do you use?
Equipment that i use on a regular basis: A squat rack, barbell, and weights (several sets each of 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 14.8 and 25 lb weights and a set of fractionals) and adjustable dumbbells that go up to 52.5lbs each. I also use a bar in the basement to do partial bodyweight chinups & pullups from. It works ok for now but i think i will soon outgrow it & want to buy a pullup/dip station. (I have a pullup bar but despite checking the measurements carefully before buying, it doesn't fit any of the doorframes in my house. grrrr)

I also have a few yoga/exercise mats, a stability ball, a high step, a rebounder, a bosu ball, a high stepper machine, rowing machine, recumbent bike & a glider. I have been slacking on cardio for a few months so they are collecting dust, but i hope to start getting some cardio in again soon.

Do you use any dvds, insanity, 30 day challenges etc?
a couple years ago i bought P90x and Insanity, but did not care for them so i sold them on amazon. I have some other videos downloaded on my computer (30DS and a few by Jari Love) but i do not use them anymore. If i were to use videos again i would probably go with fitnessblender.com. I like that they have a lot of free routines and there is no music in the background so you can play your own tunes while working out.

C) How heavy do you lift if you use weights... ie what kg?
It varies depending on the lift. Basically for the main lifts i aim to go as heavy as possible. Once i can execute all reps with good form i will increase the weight. I used to increase by 5lbs each time for most lifts, but after a few months i had to drop it to 2.5 lbs. Eventually even that got to be too much for some lifts (OHP & bench press) so currently i am only able to increase by 1-1.5 lbs at a time.........On the accessory lifts i go a bit lighter (what i would consider to be medium/heavy weights) and do higher reps.

"I would prefer to tone, so I am thinking lighter weights but more reps."---IMO you should lift heavier weight/fewer reps. I did that lighter weight/higher rep thing for a few years and had so-so results. Using heavier weight and doing fewer reps is really working. I am very pleased with how my body (especially my thighs, butt & tummy) is looking smaller, tighter and much less jiggly. If that is the result you are looking for then heavy lifting is what you want to do.

D) How long do you workout for? / E) How many times a week?

When i first started heavy lifting i did StrongLifts 5x5 which is a full body workout 3x's a week. Each session took me about 45-50 mins to complete. Then for about 2 months i was adding accessory work to the program and my workouts were running 100-120 mins each. I burned out pretty quick trying to keep up with that volume and found that i was not able to squat 3x's a week anymore, so recently i switched to an upper/lower split which is four days a week. Each session is taking about 60 mins to complete.

GradatimFerociter

A) What equipment do you use?

I predominantly use my kettlebells but also use dumbbells for isolations etc. I also own resistance bands and a skipping rope, a few hand grippers and some running shoes (which I've never used ). I also technically own several barbells, plates, a bench, more dumbells etc but they are in storage.

Do you use any dvds, insanity, 30 day challenges etc?

No. Though I have watched the "Enter the Kettlebell" DVD.

C) How heavy do you lift if you use weights... ie what kg?

I don't lift heavy at home due to the restrictions of having fairly transient living arrangements. I mostly use a 28kg kettlebell, but also a 20kg one and a ~ 13kg dumbbell (need to buy a heavier one when I am more solvent: curlz for da gurlz).

D) How long do you workout for?

20 - 80 minutes, intensity and protocol dependent

E) How many times a week?

Used to be 3 - 5. Recently I've been lazy.

milesaway61

A) What equipment do you use? mat, adjustable kettlebell (it's small, getting more later), adjustable dumbbells, weighted vest, ankle/wrist weights, swiss ball/physio ball, aerobics step.

Do you use any dvds, insanity, 30 day challenges etc? Fitness blender. I'm currently following program #1, and I've got the others as well. I highly recommend them, even if you don't buy the program. It's all free, and a huge selection of videos.
I do have some Jillian Michaels videos, but I find they get repetitive very quickly. They're okay once in a while.

C) How heavy do you lift if you use weights... ie what kg? Depends on the exercise. The heaviest I can go for some is 6 kg, others I need 1 or 2 (getting stronger, but not strong yet)

I like the feeling of lifting heavy weights, and seeing the difference in my strength.

D) How long do you workout for? Varies widely, from 45-90 minutes (the longer days are usually split into two sessions)

E) How many times a week? Between 5 and 7 days, the seventh day is usually a light walk and stretching day.

3laine75

A. My wee gym has squat rack, barbell, plates, adjustable dumbbells, homemade bench, parallel bars and pull up bars. I share with my daughter so have punchbag, floor to ceiling ball and medicine balls too.

All mine was bought gradually, as I moved up the weights, so I didn't really notice the expense - it has definitely paid for itself rather than paying for a gym (where I just feel akward)

B. Haven't used DVDs for a while - bodybuilding.com, YouTube and books (starting strength, strong curves, wendlers 5/3/1 and NROLFW)

C. OHP & bench, my heaviest has been 40kg, deadlift 90 and squat 75 but I've been at it for over a year.

D. Around an hour/hour and a half

E. Monday to Friday

Edited as mixed myself up with question order

kinkyslinky16

A) Precor elliptical, power rack, resistance bands, bench, exercise balls, medicine balls, dumbbells, foam roller, Olympic bar, curl bar, power rack has a pull up bar

I don't use dvds but I have them.

C) I'm squatting 120 lbs but my husband lifts much more than that. We need to buy more plates for him. I think we have like 200 lbs in weights. We have dumbbells that go up to 50 lbs each.

D) Until I finish. LIke 45 to 60 minutes for weights, not including cardio

E) 3 to 4

I love working out at home. Now I don't have any excuses not to work out.

sparklefrogz

A) What equipment do you use?

My building's stairwell, one of my walls, my kitchen counter, a chair, a yoga mat.

Do you use any dvds, insanity, 30 day challenges etc?

No. I have tried DVDs in the past but it never ends well. I end up pausing for breath, laughing at myself, and cursing the DVD instructor. It's too easy for me to watch DVDs instead of do them.

C) How heavy do you lift if you use weights... ie what kg?

I do bodyweight exercises and weigh 153 lb (11 stone/69.4 kg). We have weights -- they're just only used by my husband right now. I'll pick them up once I feel I'm not getting further benefit from the bodyweight exercises.

D) How long do you workout for?

20-30 minutes/day, plus a 20-30 minute walk in the morning.

E) How many times a week?

6 days a week. Half of them are bodyweight training using Mark Lauren's "Body By You" program, the other half are stairclimbing.

Also your general feedback about workout out at home over the gym.

I've never been a "gym person"; I can come up with way too many excuses not to go. Working out at home removes all of them. My routine is also geared so I can do it anywhere (even when travelling on the road) and any time I need. It cost me nothing beyond the cost of the Body By You book and the yoga mat -- and my employer's health benefits reimbursed the cost of the yoga mat...

moylek

A) What equipment do you use?

Power cage, bench, three barbells (luxury), two paris of dumbbells, a miscellany of weights, and a weight belt. Everything but the bench and power cage came from the garage sales and charity shops. My wife uses the dumbbells, mostly, but also a big rubber ball thing.


Do you use any dvds, insanity, 30 day challenges etc?

I read books and magazines out of the library in order to get ideas for changing things up every three months or so (something I've been convinced is important). My wife, however, has been working with variations out of _10 Years Thinner_ for two or three years.


C) How heavy do you lift if you use weights... ie what kg? I would prefer to tone, so I am thinking lighter weights but more reps.

I won't touch the whole "there's no such thing as toning but not putting on muscle" thing here. And you probably don't care how much a 47 year-old man squats and presses. But I will note that my wife - who is quite toned - uses weights between 10lbs (arms) and 70lbs (compound lifts).


D) How long do you workout for?

Me: 25 - 25 min. My wife: 20 - 30 min. And because the gym is our shed, travel time is about 45 s each way.


E) How many times a week?

Me: 2 - 3 times. My wife: 3 - 4 times.

rainbow198

A) What equipment do you use?

My Pilates Reformer, a weighted hula-hoop, dumbbells, kettlebells, a mat, various resistance bands, mini-stepper, wrist/ankle weights, a pull up bar and I also have a ton of workout dvd's that I use. I'm currently researching quality treadmills for the fall/winter. The area I live in is completely flat and I would love to start training to walk uphill so I can hike up a mountain next year! That's a huge fitness goal of mine I'm going to conquer. Just need to make sure I will use it before making the big investment.

Do you use any dvds, insanity, 30 day challenges etc?

I do but just during the colder weather months. It helps keep me focused and challenged especially during the holidays and when it's cold out. I enjoy doing personal challenges, doing them with my online fitness friends or joining online groups. I've done Chalene Extreme three times over the past 3 years (progressing with weights each time), T25, 30 Day Shred twice and Supreme 90 Day Workout. I'm eyeing Jillian Michaels Body Revolution or Cathe Friedrich's Shock Training System for the upcoming fall/winter.

I also use Lesile Sansone workouts several times per week and Youtube videos.

C) How heavy do you lift if you use weights... ie what kg?

I have dumbbells ranging from 3 lbs - 30 lbs. I mostly use the 8 - 15 lb range. The lighter ones are the more lighter weights/more reps workouts which I consider cardio and not strength training and the heavier ones are more for squats and lunges etc.

D) How long do you workout for?

I workout twice a day most of the week anywhere between 30 mins - 1.5 hours. First thing in the morning after washing my face/brushing my teeth and drinking a glass of water I workout fasted doing 15 - 20 mins. of cardio or HIIT and 10 - 15 mins. of strength/resistance/bodyweight training. In the evening a couple of hours after dinner I will either get outside and briskly walk for 3 - 5 miles or use a Leslie Sansone dvd. I mix things up though. Sometimes I get a heavier workout in in the morning and none at night or vice versa or 2 quick workouts. It all depends on how my body is feeling and the time I have.

E) How many times a week?

7 days per week with active rest days as needed. Monday - Wednesday - Fridays I focus on my upper body and Tuesday - Thursday - Saturdays I focus on my lower body.

Also your general feedback about workout out at home over the gym.

I never minded using a gym especially fitness classes. I've just seen a lot of unclean things and people when I used to go that still makes me squirm. I decided to take the money I was using for a gym membership and slowly invest in my home gym. It has been the best decision ever. I can work out anytime of the day, I'm the only person using my things and most importantly there are no excuses not to workout (weather, time, don't feel like driving etc.)

Now that's enough typing - it's time to go workout...

KatiePapaya

A) Dumbbells, a pull up bar, and random household objects in place of things I don't have (e.g. a bit of wood propped up to serve as a bench, chairs used for dips etc.)
Nope...
C) 4-6KG per arm, 8KG on a good day, so about 16KG altogether (I try and lift as heavy as I can, but dumbbells are expensive! £36 for the 10KG set!!! :sad: )
D) 30 minutes to an hour if I'm just in the house
E) Five days a week, with a bonus day if I'm feeling up to it

evedroid

A) What equipment do you use?

gym ball, squat rack, foldable bench, adjustable dumbells and barbells, pull up bar, resistance band (plus high painting platform for step-ups, back of chairs for dips... etc)

Do you use any dvds, insanity, 30 day challenges etc?

nope

C) How heavy do you lift if you use weights... ie what kg?

i have a total of ~170kg worth of plates. i squat around 50-60kg, bench around 30-40kg and deadlift 70-80kg

D) How long do you workout for?

until im done. usually around an hour.

E) How many times a week? 

lifting 4x a week. cardio 2x a week (jog in the nearby park)

id like to state though, that it might sound quite a bit, yet i have limited space, and my 'gym' is in my living room, in my first floor flat, opposed to some lucky buggers who have an entire garage to themselves. *envious*
you dont necessarily need a huge space, thats all im saying.
budget is a different story, but nowadays you can buy pretty much everything online. majority of my gear is off amazon, ebay or argos.

AmyRhubarb

A) What equipment do you use? Dumbbells, medicine ball, kettlebells, my own body weight

Do you use any dvds, insanity, 30 day challenges etc? I use free FitnessBlender.com workouts at the moment, occasional Jillian MIchaels kickboxing DVD, and run 3-5 miles near my house. In the past have used other Jillian DVDs, and the Nike Training Club app

C) How heavy do you lift if you use weights... ie what kg? I would prefer to tone, so I am thinking lighter weights but more reps. I have 8-30lb dumbbell sets (I think that's around 3-14kg?)No fear of bulking - I lift as heavy as I can with what I've got - I wish I had money and space for full barbells, but building muscle takes some serious heavy lifting and a calorie surplus, and quite a bit of time.

D) How long do you workout for? Average about 60 minutes a day, 5-6 days a week. Always at least one rest day.