I want to start doing heavy weights, but I hate the gym!
argenterie
Posts: 93 Member
Hi all! I am on a plateau and have been considering starting to "lift heavy". I know that for other women sometimes it really helps them tone and get out of a rut/plateau.
The problem: I have a set of 5lb dumbbells, and a set of 20lb dumbbells. I have a pull-up bar. And that's IT!
I HATE the gym, and I will not be joining one. So that's out too!
So my question is: is there a way to do heavy lifting with only home stuff? or will I need to buy a bunch more equipment? What's the best way to go about starting this process?
Thanks in advance for the help everyone!
The problem: I have a set of 5lb dumbbells, and a set of 20lb dumbbells. I have a pull-up bar. And that's IT!
I HATE the gym, and I will not be joining one. So that's out too!
So my question is: is there a way to do heavy lifting with only home stuff? or will I need to buy a bunch more equipment? What's the best way to go about starting this process?
Thanks in advance for the help everyone!
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Replies
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a power rack, bench, and olympic weight set will have you set up.0
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Should I check walmart or somewhere like that for those things?0
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I'd start with a bench, a barbell, and some plates. You might also want plates for your dumbbells depending on the style. You can also check books and online for bodyweight exercises. If you can't afford a power rack, as I understand they're expensive, maybe you could attach brackets or hooks to a sturdy wall and use that? It might work.0
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Walmart can be a good place. Also check Goodwill, Craigslist, and, if you have it in your area, Freecycle. I see exercise stuff at these places all the time.0
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Depending on your home circumstances / whereabouts could you check for something like a para-fitness/army boot camp fitness class near you ? The reason I say is because I've known them include things like log lifts or have you got a wood pile you could attack with the axe ? Exercise and stress relief in one move
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Good ideas! I never thought to check used equipment. I'll look into that! Thanks all!0
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nerdfitness has a really good bodyweight programme so you could get started in the meantime.0
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Should I check walmart or somewhere like that for those things?
No.
A sports store, or amazon. Expect to spend about $1300 for everything in general.
You don't need a $700 barbell, but you don't want a $150 one either.0 -
Should I check walmart or somewhere like that for those things?
No.
A sports store, or amazon. Expect to spend about $1300 for everything in general.
You don't need a $700 barbell, but you don't want a $150 one either.
Why? Not being sarcastic, I'm serious. Whats the difference for those of us still new to this?0 -
a power rack, bench, and olympic weight set will have you set up.
Dumbbells are nice to have too
0 -
Should I check walmart or somewhere like that for those things?
No.
A sports store, or amazon. Expect to spend about $1300 for everything in general.
You don't need a $700 barbell, but you don't want a $150 one either.
Why? Not being sarcastic, I'm serious. Whats the difference for those of us still new to this?
Quality. Cheap ones bend.0 -
See if you have a "Play It Again" sports equipment in your area. They have tons of weight training equipment at a good price.
Edit: Just checked on line, they have 8 in Georgia and one in Atlanta.0 -
Play It Again is a great suggestion, as well as Craigslist (mentioned above). Also, yard sales can be a great resource especially for bars benches and plates.See if you have a "Play It Again" sports equipment in your area. They have tons of weight training equipment at a good price.
Here is a link for Play It Again stores in your area (profile officially stalked!
)
http://www.playitagainsports.com/locations/list/GA0 -
Should I check walmart or somewhere like that for those things?
No.
A sports store, or amazon. Expect to spend about $1300 for everything in general.
You don't need a $700 barbell, but you don't want a $150 one either.
This is why I've been skipping over this question all day. This is the equipment you need; it's expensive, takes a lot of space, and dangerous to use alone if you are not 100% sure of how to use it safely.
In other words, you need to join a gym. You don't have to stay the rest of your life, just long enough to be sure lifting is something you're ready to commit to, spend money on, and set aside home space for. Better to spend $40 a month for 6 mos to a year than write a fat check for a new place to hang your laundry. You hate the gym, but I'd bet you'd hate blowing $1500 even more. Especially on equipment you have no idea how to use.
Baby steps. Join a gym. Get some training. Develop a routine that suits your goals. Then spend a ****load of money.0 -
Academy has a bench set with 100 lbs for $79. 6 plates in all. I'm getting one!0
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Should I check walmart or somewhere like that for those things?
No.
A sports store, or amazon. Expect to spend about $1300 for everything in general.
You don't need a $700 barbell, but you don't want a $150 one either.
I'm sure there are differences in different $150 barbells, but I paid about that 10ish years ago for one at a local sporting goods store, and it has held up with no noticeable bending (although the most weight I've ever used it for was 300 lb deadlifts). Given that she's just starting out, there may be an argument for a serviceable $150 barbell in her basic equipment.0 -
If you do bench pressing with free weights, and need a spotter... please get a spotter!!0
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If you do bench pressing with free weights, and need a spotter... please get a spotter!!
Or something like this: http://newyorkbarbells.com/92563.html
(Not disagreeing with everyone saying that there are clearly benefits to joining a gym, but there are still solutions to the problem if someone really doesn't want to go that route.)0 -
My solution was the Chalene Extreme program from Beach Body and a set of Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells (adjustable from 2.5 to 52.5 lbs) with the rack. I work out in my living room.0
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I started a Beach Body program called Les Mills Pump. It comes with weights. I am new at weight lifting but I can do the modifications. I do this workout in my living room.0
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Should I check walmart or somewhere like that for those things?
No.
A sports store, or amazon. Expect to spend about $1300 for everything in general.
You don't need a $700 barbell, but you don't want a $150 one either.
This is why I've been skipping over this question all day. This is the equipment you need; it's expensive, takes a lot of space, and dangerous to use alone if you are not 100% sure of how to use it safely.
In other words, you need to join a gym. You don't have to stay the rest of your life, just long enough to be sure lifting is something you're ready to commit to, spend money on, and set aside home space for. Better to spend $40 a month for 6 mos to a year than write a fat check for a new place to hang your laundry. You hate the gym, but I'd bet you'd hate blowing $1500 even more. Especially on equipment you have no idea how to use.
Baby steps. Join a gym. Get some training. Develop a routine that suits your goals. Then spend a ****load of money.
Said... Done... Agree. 0 -
Check out TRX at www.trxtraining.com
You need that and your body weight.0 -
Another vote for ChaLean Extreme, great program, great results!0
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I got a cheap (around a hundred bucks) bench and barbell set from Sears. For most guys, it wouldn't do but for me, that 80 pounds will be enough to keep me going for a while. I'm not looking to become a power lifter or fitness model. I just want to maintain what I have. When the weights I have are no longer a challenge, and I have more money, I'll get better equipment.
I hated going to the gym. (Planet Fitness) It wasn't conveniently located - I live between two locations, and it takes about a half hour to get to either one - and it didn't have free weights other than dumbbells. I hate doing indoor cardio... I'd rather run in the rain or snow than on a treadmill. I was paying $20 a month for the black card so my husband could go with me. But like I said, I hated going. I'd go maybe twice a week at most. I now lift every other day, because it's a lot easier to "commute" upstairs than drive a half hour each way. And in five months, this set will have "paid for itself."0 -
Craigslist is awesome for a bench/bar and weights.
Check out New Rules of Lifting for Women for a great schedule/plan and routine reference. awesome book.0 -
Should I check walmart or somewhere like that for those things?
No.
A sports store, or amazon. Expect to spend about $1300 for everything in general.
You don't need a $700 barbell, but you don't want a $150 one either.
Why? Not being sarcastic, I'm serious. Whats the difference for those of us still new to this?
Quality. Cheap ones bend.
Ah. Thank you.0 -
Another vote for Chalean Extreme. I used it last year to lose 60 pounds. You probably will need some 8 and 10 pound weights, which are cheap at walmart....no shipping! I am doing another round starting next Monday! I'm getting ready to get in shape for vacation in December! 90 day program! Message me and I can talk with you more about it!
Ruth0 -
I have a pullup bar and a couple hand weights, that's all the equipment I need.
Bodyweight exercises provide plenty of resistance as long as you progressively decrease the leverage.
Take for example the pushup, the bodyweight equivalent of the bench press.
Wall pushups -> knee pushups -> standard pushups -> diamond pushups / feet elevated pushups -> one arm emphasized pushups -> incline one arm pushups -> wide stance one arm pushups -> close stance one arm pushups / pseudo planche puhups -> feet elevated one arm pushups / tuck planche puhups -> straddle planche pushups -> full planche pushups
If you are capable of doing a full planche pushup, benching 2x+ your weight is not a problem. I'm not aware of a female ever being strong enough to hold a full planche, let alone strong enough to do pushups while in the postion.0 -
a power rack, bench, and olympic weight set will have you set up.
Exactly. The power rack is essential because you can do bench press without a spotter plus you'll need it to do squats.0 -
Should I check walmart or somewhere like that for those things?
No.
A sports store, or amazon. Expect to spend about $1300 for everything in general.
You don't need a $700 barbell, but you don't want a $150 one either.
This is why I've been skipping over this question all day. This is the equipment you need; it's expensive, takes a lot of space, and dangerous to use alone if you are not 100% sure of how to use it safely.
In other words, you need to join a gym. You don't have to stay the rest of your life, just long enough to be sure lifting is something you're ready to commit to, spend money on, and set aside home space for. Better to spend $40 a month for 6 mos to a year than write a fat check for a new place to hang your laundry. You hate the gym, but I'd bet you'd hate blowing $1500 even more. Especially on equipment you have no idea how to use.
Baby steps. Join a gym. Get some training. Develop a routine that suits your goals. Then spend a ****load of money.
This pretty much sums it up. You can start exercising with your dumbbells and body weight at home until you feel more confident, but just get into a gym if you want to start doing proper heavy lifting.0
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