Can you effectively workout at home?

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Replies

  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Absolutely! I have a membership to the YMCA but I also have a lot of home equipment… recumbent bike, treadmill, gazelle, dumbbells, barbells, kettle bells, and benches.

    Fitness Blender has great videos. Jillian Michaels has a number of videos on YouTube as well.
  • SomeNights246
    SomeNights246 Posts: 807 Member
    I do all the time. I can't afford a treadmill or anything (though my one sister has a treadmill, and the other an elliptical - and I'm about [this] close to getting the one to give me her elliptical), but I make use of what I do have.

    If you don't want to waste money on the DVDs (and I wouldn't blame you), Youtube has a LOT of work out routines. You can switch it up all the time. I, personally, love Jessica Smith. She has a website, just Google the name. She has a great personality, and a cute dog. Another thing I like to make use of are work out apps. Sworkit is a good one, and links to your MFP account to automatically log routines. Of course, that presents that problem that you can't cut them in half if you prefer to do that for a more accurate estimation.

    I have resistance bands, which I use on my light routine days. I, also, have a pilates kit. I love my Pilates . I have two sets of dumbbells to add a bit of a challenge to cardio. And a set of weights for strength training. I, also, like my ball. It makes cardio interesting, and can make certain exercise moves a bit challenging (planks, sit ups, etc).

    And then, sometimes I just do random work outs. Like 100 jumping jacks, 10 push ups, 30 second wall sit, 60 second plank, 10 burpees, 50 sit ups. And just do whatever gets me moving. I find it really helps to do this if I time myself.

    And of course, I walk a lot. And sometimes I get bored of walking, so jog for a few minutes.

    Anything to get moving occasionally.
  • derik999
    derik999 Posts: 73
    Check out these resources
    Convict conditioning
    Nerd fitness
    Strength unbound
    Al Kavadlo

    Yep, doing CC as well. Just need a decent pull up bar and maybe a bench if you are starting out with the lower level steps.

    If you are in shape enough to handle it you can always jump rope. This is another inexpensive option. Kettlebells are another option. You may have to invest some money in them in the beginning but they will be less expensive in the long run compared to a gym membership. Plenty of cardio options without needing any equipment as well.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    get yourself some resistance bands. look up workouts with resistance bands on youtube. there are plenty on there. all you have to spend is twenty bucks. For cardio go outside and/or look up some workout videos on youtube. there you go. home workouts for not so much money.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I used to workout at home and I've never in my life had a workout DVD. My workouts were effective...lots of body weight resistance movements and some band work coupled with some running and riding my bike.
  • I work full time and have a 2 year old and 3 month old so I don't have time for the gym. I lost over 50 pounds after having my first child doing Leslie Sansone's walk at home tape and a Prevention flat belly dvd. I'm going to try biggest loser and Jillian Michaels tapes. Leslie Sansone is good to start off with if you are out of shape (like me).
  • akuaafriyie
    akuaafriyie Posts: 21 Member
    I only work out at home. i am a student so i dont have the time or the money to go to the gym. youtube has free body weight exercises all you need is an internet connection, a hard floor and your body. Fitnessblender.com is my virtual gym.
  • melissaw78
    melissaw78 Posts: 214 Member
    Do an internet search for bodyweight exercises. You can get a good workout with no equipment at all.

    At least twice a week right now my workout is taking turns shagging ground balls and pop flies with my 13 year old daughter. It's great family time and she appreciates me helping her practice.
  • macdiver
    macdiver Posts: 145 Member
    Can you? Absolutely!
    Are you likely to? Absolutely not!

    I think someone is just as likely to work out at home as go to the gym. Gyms sell plenty of memberships expecting that there will be mostly no shows. If everyone who belonged went to the gym then the lines would be huge. I heard the average is around 30% who belong actually go. Don't know if that number is true.
  • sstermole
    sstermole Posts: 37 Member
    I only workout at home! The key for me is variety! I've done many different things! I just became a Beachbody coach, and doing PiYo right now! Awesome workout and low impact!
  • bludflower
    bludflower Posts: 21
    I work out more regularly now that my husband and I cancelled our gym membership. It was harder to motivate ourselves to drive there after a long day and we often only showed up a couple times a month. We decided to invest in our own equipment instead. (weight machine and elliptical) My husband uses the weight machine way more than I do, simply because I get bored faster than he does. I NEED variety or else I'll stray from the path. We also recently got bikes--not *technically* working out at home, but it costs nothing to hit the trail when the weather's nice.

    I have a decent collection of cardio and yoga DVDs and I play Xbox Kinect fitness games pretty regularly too, but if you're trying to save on money, there are tons of great workouts on Pinterest that require nothing more than a bit of space on your floor. Also, a cheap set of hand weights might be a good idea (my husband's uncle liked to use gallon jugs of water).
  • mariabee
    mariabee Posts: 212 Member
    If you have access to some free weights, Youtube is your best friend :)