Do I have to join a gym to do weights and strenth train?

britlem
britlem Posts: 49
in Fitness and Exercise
I want to get into lifting and also strength training. I guess these are the same, but im not really sure. Thing is I dont have a gym membership and mostly do zumba at a dance studio and cardo tapes at home. I do have some free weights at home, but no bench or bars or anything like that.

So is it possible to still do weight without the machines at the gym or do I need to invest in a membership?

Thoughts???
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Replies

  • thepetiterunner
    thepetiterunner Posts: 1,238 Member
    You absolutely don't need to. You can get some cheap weights at places like Target and you don't need a bench. A chair works well, so does the floor. There are tons of non-gym options for weight lifting. The internet is full of places to look. I'd check sites like Shape magazine, Women's Health Magazine, Runner's World, etc.
  • britlem
    britlem Posts: 49
    bump
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    You can get pretty strong with body weight exercises. Check out the book Convict Conditioning, pretty awesome program.
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member
    Another thing I used to use a lot was the "Charles Atlas" Dynamic tension workouts. Look up charles atlas and you will find a lot of gym free excersizes without need to buy anything =)
  • katkins3
    katkins3 Posts: 1,359 Member
    There is a weight lifting for dummies book, it is very basic and starts with simple hand weights. It might be a good starting place.
  • tangal88
    tangal88 Posts: 689
    I work out entirely at home with free weights only, and a pull up bar. Very do-able and you can get an excellent full body workout. I only use dumbells myself, though nothing wrong with a bar and some plates also, if your space permits. But you can do many of the same muscle groups and types of moves with dumbells also.

    Oxygen Magazine, Fitness RX for her magazine. Fitness Magazine, and their websites have a number of workouts with free weights only.
  • cburke55
    cburke55 Posts: 10
    Go buy Chris Powels book and do exercises at home, no extra things needed and weight loss plan that is easy and make's sense.

    www.chrispowell.com/chris-powell-news.html
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,956 Member
    No you don't, but it is very important to learn how to do the exercises with correct form for efficiency and safety.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • britlem
    britlem Posts: 49
    And how exactly do I learn this without going to the gym?
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member
    I would find a friend who knows the proper form, or can watch on youtube or something, to critique you and help you get the form correct.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    Try body weight exercises. A lot there you can do without any actual weights.
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    And how exactly do I learn this without going to the gym?

    Its called research, try putting forth some effort first.
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member
    And how exactly do I learn this without going to the gym?

    Its called research, try putting forth some effort first.

    wow... that doesn't seem motivating at all... I think she wants some input from the message board full of people doing the same thing... sounds like research to me =)
  • britlem
    britlem Posts: 49
    And how exactly do I learn this without going to the gym?

    Its called research, try putting forth some effort first.

    wow... that doesn't seem motivating at all... I think she wants some input from the message board full of people doing the same thing... sounds like research to me =)


    I saw his post and thought the same thing, but honestly wasnt going to even reply to his foolishness. Obviously I am researching it now and not just by asking questions on here! I wanted advice from people who are doing it and have gotten results!
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    And how exactly do I learn this without going to the gym?

    Its called research, try putting forth some effort first.

    wow... that doesn't seem motivating at all... I think she wants some input from the message board full of people doing the same thing... sounds like research to me =)

    Give a man a fish he'll eat for a day, teach a man how to fish he'll eat for the rest of his life

    Give this lady all the info she asked for she'll lift with just that info, teach her to do her own research....

    Sorry you don't find this motivating but i would find giving her all the answers enabling.
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    Roid rage.
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    I saw his post and thought the same thing, but honestly wasnt going to even reply to his foolishness. Obviously I am researching it now and not just by asking questions on here! I wanted advice from people who are doing it and have gotten results!

    Then ask a question that shows research, such as:

    Hey everyone i have some weights at home and not really sure if i want to make the jump to a commercial gym. While doing squats should i hold the weight erect over head at a snatch width or would a standard C&J width work just as well. Would it be just as beneficial to my twitch muscles to just hold the weight on my shoulders much like a thruster.

    My goals: blah blah blah

    My Answer: You would only need the snatch grip width if you plan on doing snatches later on at a gym. The nice part of OHS is that the shoulders are also brought into the lift, but it can be tiring if you are going to high reps. Since your goals aren't sport bases you'd be fine to just hold the weight on your shoulders.


    SEE?
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member
    And how exactly do I learn this without going to the gym?

    Its called research, try putting forth some effort first.

    wow... that doesn't seem motivating at all... I think she wants some input from the message board full of people doing the same thing... sounds like research to me =)

    Give a man a fish he'll eat for a day, teach a man how to fish he'll eat for the rest of his life

    Give this lady all the info she asked for she'll lift with just that info, teach her to do her own research....

    Sorry you don't find this motivating but i would find giving her all the answers enabling.

    I really hate to honor this with a response... BUT...

    even if she were to get a personal trainer, and research forever on strength training, she would NEVER know everything about it. She isn't looking for be all end all... people here are mostly trying to get started. I came on here to help my wife, I have never tracked what I did publicly, but I must say, it is nice to see people that want to help out. If you want to just tell people to look something up, don't bother with a reply unless you are going to give a decent source of information. I see on your page that you know a lot about steroids... Doesn't seem like the kind of person I want telling me how to naturally get fit anyway.

    /end rant

    You are on the right path britlem =) I would be happy to share anything I know and some of the resources I use and have used.

    PS: I have never done steroids as I am currently in the military and I have always wanted to keep a natural physique with my muscle tone, though I have dabbled in several different supplements for weight loss and muscle gain, some help, some don't, but they all still require significant effort on the user's part. Placebo's that I thought were great and were debunked after were some of the best results I have gotten.
  • iuangina
    iuangina Posts: 691 Member
    Nope, you can use your body weight to do a lot of strength training exercises. Squats, pushups, chair dips, etc.
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    Roid rage.

    Sorry to let you know but less than 5% of steroid users experience "roid rage" and it is often directly connected to cockiness and a false since of toughness due to new muscle gains. Come back when you've done more research.
  • iuangina
    iuangina Posts: 691 Member
    Roid rage.

    Sorry to let you know but less than 5% of steroid users experience "roid rage" and it is often directly connected to cockiness and a false since of toughness due to new muscle gains. Come back when you've done more research.

    You must really like research. I hope you're a librarian or something.
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    even if she were to get a personal trainer, and research forever on strength training, she would NEVER know everything about it. She isn't looking for be all end all... people here are mostly trying to get started. I came on here to help my wife, I have never tracked what I did publicly, but I must say, it is nice to see people that want to help out. If you want to just tell people to look something up, don't bother with a reply unless you are going to give a decent source of information. I see on your page that you know a lot about steroids... Doesn't seem like the kind of person I want telling me how to naturally get fit anyway.

    Actually when she said she liked working out at home and was looking to strength train with out having to go to a gym I recommended Convict Conditioning, a really great book that focuses on body weight exercises, that allows for a lot of progression. Try rereading comments before you go all bananas.
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member
    Roid rage.

    Sorry to let you know but less than 5% of steroid users experience "roid rage" and it is often directly connected to cockiness and a false since of toughness due to new muscle gains. Come back when you've done more research.

    Can this guy be blocked? Do YOUR research... it is indeed hormone and extreme cases cause noticible "roid rage" . But irritablity and your page says you have, will be enhanced by any hormonal inbalances. Fact of the matter, there is a reason the FDA doesn't endorse them, and reasons they are banned for athletics and military use.
  • britlem
    britlem Posts: 49
    bump
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member

    You must really like research. I hope you're a librarian or something.

    Nah i just swallow information, its like being on aderal at all times, and ignorant comments such as "roid rage" are often like nails on a chalk board. I have a hard time understanding why other people don't learn like i do. Just the human complex.
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member

    Can this guy be blocked? Do YOUR research... it is indeed hormone and extreme cases cause noticible "roid rage" . But irritablity and your page says you have, will be enhanced by any hormonal inbalances. Fact of the matter, there is a reason the FDA doesn't endorse them, and reasons they are banned for athletics and military use.

    "extreme cases" sounds like less than 5% to me.

    The irritability quote you speak of on my page is a play at Marilyn Monroe's famous quote. I didn't come up with the quote i just like the irony.

    I am not arguing their illegality, i support the decision to make them a controlled substance 100%
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member

    You must really like research. I hope you're a librarian or something.

    Nah i just swallow information, its like being on aderal at all times, and ignorant comments such as "roid rage" are often like nails on a chalk board. I have a hard time understanding why other people don't learn like i do. Just the human complex.

    often directly connected to cockiness and a false since of toughness - addisondisease

    LOL - me
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    I want to get into lifting and also strength training. I guess these are the same, but im not really sure. Thing is I dont have a gym membership and mostly do zumba at a dance studio and cardo tapes at home. I do have some free weights at home, but no bench or bars or anything like that.

    So is it possible to still do weight without the machines at the gym or do I need to invest in a membership?

    Thoughts???

    Sorry for derailing your topic OP, but as I said before. There is a book called Convict Conditioning that focuses on body weight exercises, and has a lot of room for progress that i would recommend. If you go to YouTube -> Body Rock Tv there is this Ukrainian (i think) woman who has some really hard really fun work outs. These are many others out there but those two are my personal favorites.
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member
    Sorry Britlem....

    Let's try to get this thread back on topic.

    Look into the "couch to 5k" program for a little endurance building if that's what your interested in.

    as far as at home workouts, look into different programs... Not every program works for everyone. Perhaps kettle ball workouts would be a good inexpensive alternative for you. or maybe just some resistance bands. you can look up different workouts to do with either.
  • britlem
    britlem Posts: 49
    I want to get into lifting and also strength training. I guess these are the same, but im not really sure. Thing is I dont have a gym membership and mostly do zumba at a dance studio and cardo tapes at home. I do have some free weights at home, but no bench or bars or anything like that.

    So is it possible to still do weight without the machines at the gym or do I need to invest in a membership?

    Thoughts???

    Sorry for derailing your topic OP, but as I said before. There is a book called Convict Conditioning that focuses on body weight exercises, and has a lot of room for progress that i would recommend. If you go to YouTube -> Body Rock Tv there is this Ukrainian (i think) woman who has some really hard really fun work outs. These are many others out there but those two are my personal favorites.

    THANK YOU

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