Are body weight exercises enough?

doneatfour

I don't have access to a gym and I wanted to do some resistance/strength. I haven't exercised since September and I want to get back on track. Before I did squats, push ups, etc. and then started holding dumbbells when those got easier, but now I'm wondering if I should do something else. I don't have money to buy a bunch of equipment either, so I suppose the question is moot. I was just wondering if body weight + dumbbells are enough to make a difference. Before I had a lot more weight to lose and was fairly strict with my diet. Now I want to lose about 5-10 lbs. How many reps/sets should I do?

wellbert

weighted pistol squats and handstand pushups , one arm pullups?

doneatfour

Thanks. I have to work up to those. :blushing: So body weight exercises are effective for fat loss then? How many reps/sets are good?

Joreanasaurous

Google "You are your own gym" and I think you will find the info you are looking for

Also Nerdfitness has a decent workout that only uses body weight I believe.

redraidergirl2009

Pilates and yoga are great.

AlongCame_Molly

You obviously have access to the internet, so why not try Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred on Youtube? No equipment--well, they do use small hand weights, but I get away with just using a pair of water bottles or can of vegetables. It's a really great workout.

BonaFideUK

Its entirely possible to get into shape just using your body weight. Although a used set of dumbbells would be extremely useful.

Cr01502

Body weight exercises are good up to a certain extent but at some point, as the exercises get easier, you will just be training for muscular endurance..

If you want the exercises to get progressively more difficult and focus on strength gains I would look into

Convict Conditioning

You Are Your Own Gym

davesurf20

Google 'insanity workout', follow for 60ish days, then come back and tell us what you think!

doneatfour

Thank you everyone! I'll look into those videos. I do have dumbbells so hopefully I'll be good for a while.

Gizziemoto

Google "You are your own gym" and I think you will find the info you are looking for

Also Nerdfitness has a decent workout that only uses body weight I believe.

I have a friend that has done both and seen results. Recommend both of these.

cordianet

Enough for what? That's the question. Body weight exercises can be great, but if you're trying to be, say, an Olympic lifter, it's obviously not the correct approach. You need to know what you're trying to accomplish before you can ask if this is "enough".

wellbert

Thanks. I have to work up to those. :blushing: So body weight exercises are effective for fat loss then? How many reps/sets are good?

nope. diet is for fat loss.

body weight exercises can make you stronger and help preserver muscle mass though.

doneatfour

Oh, I suppose a common goal: to shape up or (dare I say it) "tone". I don't aim for defined muscles, maybe later. For now I just want to minimize the effects of gravity and look less flabby. Maybe have a flatter stomach, rounder butt, lifted breasts. I just read all the time about heavy lifting that it makes it seem like body weight isn't good enough. Makes me wonder if it is a waste if time and I should be doing more cardio instead.

cordianet

Oh, I suppose a common goal: to shape up or (dare I say it) "tone". I don't aim for defined muscles, maybe later. For now I just want to minimize the effects of gravity and look less flabby. Maybe have a flatter stomach, rounder butt, lifted breasts. I just read all the time about heavy lifting that it makes it seem like body weight isn't good enough. Makes me wonder if it is a waste if time and I should be doing more cardio instead.

I think body weight exercises would be fine based on your goals. Just remember that even with body weight exercise, you have to always be progressing. Once you can do say, 3 sets of 20 or 25 of a particular exercise, you probably need to be moving to a harder exercise and not decide it's "good enough". This type of progression is one of the primary keys to successful strength training.

doneatfour

Thanks everyone!