Buying equipment - luxury or necessity?

myrzee

Hey everyone,

First, a little about my quest for fitness (you can skip that part, doesnt have much to do with the main issue at stake here): I'm a girl, 5'4, 145lbs, I'm aiming at lowering my body fat percantage / get toned / make my body strong, useful, fit. I've started MFP over a year ago, and did it on and off because I kept moving out for my studies, or was visiting the family for a few days during Xmas, or [insert excuse]. There was a magical time where I actually did not go anywhere for three months: I would eat really healthy, go to the gym 4-5x/week (McFit, cheapass gym, perfect for me... there I discovered the elliptical, which was awesome). However, due to my student budget (almost no income) and my studies finishing I had to go back home, where there's none of that.

Anyway, since I don't intend to buy DVDs (no dvd player, student budget again), I've been looking for free videos online. I found some, like BodyRock.tv, which offer great workouts - or so I've heard on the MFP forum... only thing is there's loads of material to buy (sandbag, yoga ball, timer, HRM...). No clue where to start, and I'm not even motivated to start at all.
On the other hand, you have those videos like Be Fit in 90 days on youtube, which don't seem too bad (although I haven't heard that much good about them).

Basically, I'm looking for a free program online, which would not require any kind of equipment. Problem is, most of those I've seen do.

Any suggestions? Do you think it is doable to start a fitness program (endurance/strength, weight loss will come along) without buying equipment?

Discoveri

I think parts of the 30 day shred are on youtube. If you don't have weights, just use canned goods of 2 full water bottles. If you have access to a local library (probably not the one on your college campus) they should have exercise dvds there that you can borrow.

amnski

Equipment is very optional. Your two best friends are the legs attached to your body...walk, jog, run, sprint, interval training on hills etc.... Add in body weight exercises like squats, push-ups, lunges, chair dips and you can lose weight and tone without a single piece of equipment. There are a ton of great free videos out there too to help you along. Good luck!

MissingMinnesota

since you are a student do you have a free gym you can go to?

babycook

Body weight exercises. Circuit training. There are plenty of options, lunges, squats, push ups. There are lots of videos on you tube. Lots of ideas on pinterest under fitness. I have pinned a bunch of exercise routines. Dumb bells are ten dollars a piece here.