No gym access...how do I do strength training at home?

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cupajoe
cupajoe Posts: 155
in Fitness and Exercise
I have tried a gym membership once and I was able to go about 4 times and had to pay for 11mos. I live too far from town and I have 4 kids-the gym just doesn't work for me. I know I need to do more strength training, but how do I go about doing this at home? I also have a tiny house and no room for much equiptment. Any suggestions?
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Replies

  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
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    body weight exercises..google them..there are tons of different kinds
  • kayladiane5
    kayladiane5 Posts: 94
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    Do Pilates! If you search on youtube 'POP Pilates' then a bunch of videos should come up. The girl that does them is Cassey. I would also just find a bunch of dumbbell and resistance band exercises to do.
  • picturesing
    picturesing Posts: 228
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    I started my journey with this site. So many classes to choose from. Good Luck!

    http://www.demandfitness.com/
  • Sanya77
    Sanya77 Posts: 172 Member
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    Try resistance bands.There are many exercise on youtube.
  • soccerjewel47
    soccerjewel47 Posts: 23
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    BUMP
  • McBody
    McBody Posts: 1,703 Member
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    I train in a teeny-tiny space- lots of push=ups, crunches, planks (and side planks), yoga, sit-ups, burpees, mountain climbers, lunges (and jumping lunges), side step ups (onto a kitchen chair), etc... and if you can get your hands on a kettlebell or some dumbbells then you can do snatch, curls (bicep and tricep), shoulder press- and those small weights don't take up much space!

    Good luck!
  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
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    Resistance bands work pretty well. They come in different strengths, and don't take up much space. They travel well too.
  • elliecolorado
    elliecolorado Posts: 1,040
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    Youtube has tons of workout videos! If you have weights you can use those or any workouts that require them you can replace the weights with water bottles or even milk jugs filled with water if you want something heavier. Of course you can always do push-ups and other body weight exercises. Also get some Pilates or Yoga DVD's or get them at the library and change up what you do every week.
  • maryloo2011
    maryloo2011 Posts: 446
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    Do you have Netflix? There are a lot of Yoga and Pilates videos on-demand there.

    Also have heard the book, "The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess" is a great read. Can you get some dumbells and do some basic exercises at home?

    YouTube is definitely your friend as well as Google:
    http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+strength+train+at+home
  • irishgal44
    irishgal44 Posts: 1,181 Member
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    Bump
  • OliveLucas
    OliveLucas Posts: 84
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    Several years ago I lived in a small condo (only 550 sq ft), and I managed to do "power 90" (a 90-day home fitness program) every morning in our tinny livingroom, all I used are two set of dumbells. You really don't need big space or a lot of equipments to do strength training at home.
  • dragonbug300
    dragonbug300 Posts: 760 Member
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    My workout bible in website form:
    bodyrock.tv
    It took me a while to get over Zuzana's skimpy attire, but the workouts are solid, challenging, and fast (usually 15-30 minutes tops).
  • BunnybeeJG
    BunnybeeJG Posts: 344 Member
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    When I do some of my strength training at home, I use a pilates band, resistance bands, weights, and I have one of those big exercise balls I LOVE those... I highly reccommend you get a big exercise ball if you can. I use 5lb weights tho and then also do manual stuff, side bends and pushups.... dance to music sometimes too helps ... unless like me you rarely get privacy.
  • JenniB619
    JenniB619 Posts: 85 Member
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    You can try P90 or P90x... the program is a little pricey, but you def. get results. You also dont need much room. and then only equipment I have are a set of dumbbells. You need about a space as big as 7x7, if that, at most. If you're not interested in getting this there are plenty of workouts on the internet. OR.. I'm not sure if you have cable (or what kind if you do) but Verizon Fios has a BUNCH of free workouts on demand.. they are free and theres probly 100s to choose from, it was great when I wasnt doing P90X.. Hope this helps
  • rachmaree
    rachmaree Posts: 782 Member
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    Check out bodyrock.tv Zuzana uploads new workouts or exercise challenges almost daily. She mostly does bodyweight exercises, if she uses a sandbag you can just do the move without. They are super challenging workouts, so don't hesitate to modify them to suit your fitness levels.
  • CatseyeHardcast
    CatseyeHardcast Posts: 224 Member
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    bump
  • rayfromtx
    rayfromtx Posts: 111
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    I highly recommend scoobysworkshop.com
  • MysterChiz
    MysterChiz Posts: 5
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    The list is all about how creative you can be. Get some resistance bands for starters. You can do push-ups (wide, close, V, claps, one-arm), planks, side-planks, sit-ups, bicycles, leg-lifts, dips on chair or using the side of your bathtub, jumping jacks, sprints in place, and when all else fails...

    Get you a Wii (Wii fit, Dance, or Michael Jackson Experience). That MJ is nothing to play with!!

    Good luck!!

    Z
  • Schwiggity
    Schwiggity Posts: 1,449 Member
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    Dips, Squats, Lunges, Calf Raises, push-ups, crunches, etc. Plenty of body weight exercise that strength train.
  • charli21
    charli21 Posts: 13
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    the latest "prevention" magazine has 4 weeks of exercises you can do at home. its a 4 week weight loss plan...alternating cardio, rest, strength training for all 7 days of a week. im finishing week 1 and i really like it. look for the may 2011 edition. you might also be able to find it online. they suggest consuming 1600 calories a day while you're doing their exercise plan. check it out!

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