Quitting the gym... How do I keep working out at home?
MJ9876
Posts: 3
I've come to love and depend on the bikes at the gym for my cardio as well as all the different machines, but I just can't afford my membership as a student anymore. I do frequent floor exercises, but I just can't believe that they might possibly make up for loosing my cardio. I can't afford to purchase anything and I can't run, I was exposed to second-hand smoke the vast majority of my life and I just... yeah, I can't breathe. What are some other things I can do to keep from having the loss of the gym effect my workout?
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Replies
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How about leg raises, jumping jacks, squats, lunges, sit ups, push ups, go for a short walk, today while watching football I did sitting crunches, breathing exercises too.0
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Hop on youtube and hunt around for short fitness videos that catch your interest. There are a bazillion on there, so there's bound to be at least 1 that you like!0
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Why not try some exercise DVDs? You can buy them or search for some on YouTube. They are a great alternative in my opinion.0
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Skipping is meant to be great cardio...0
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Walking is actually pretty good. Anything that raises your HR up, jumping jacks, burpees, leg-lifts, crunches.0
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A very fast walk is fantastic cardio. Study notes as mp3 and off you go0
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Before I joined a gym I did a lot of jogging/running in place while watching TV, various aerobics, wall pushups and crunches. Also bought a set of dumbbells that I did stuff with every morning. As someone else mentioned, Youtube is full of various workout DVD stuff that you can do at home.0
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How about leg raises, jumping jacks, squats, lunges, sit ups, push ups, go for a short walk, today while watching football I did sitting crunches, breathing exercises too.
^This!
Also, I thought I absolutely couldn't afford a threadmill, like, ever. But my partner found ours on Craigslist for 40 bucks! It sure isn't fancy, and it doesn't do your heartrate or anything. But, I wonder if you could find a bike online for super cheap, or even free from someone trying to just get it out of their house? Good job for not giving up after ending the gym membership. You can do it!
Another thing - Do you have a Planet Fitness in your area? I don't think they're as common as 24hr fitness, la fitness and such. By my local planet fitness costs just ten bucks per month. No joke! And they focus primarily on cardio and have limited weights. They're open 24 hours during the week and shorter hours on weekends. Anyway, I hope something here is helpful. Sorry if it's not!0 -
Does your local library do fitness DVDs?0
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As others have mentioned, walking. Just a regular pace will help, or if you want max results, walk a little faster. A good pair of shoes is all you need. Walking used to be my only cardio, but I got bored of it...but it defintely works.0
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browse around youtube...you have so many different workouts there on it..You're bound to find one you like...!0
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I like these ones for working out at home:
bodyrock.tv
bodyripped.net
ZuzkaLight on youtube0 -
Know how you feel! I use youtube. Go on befit's channel. Loads of cardio, dancing and yoga.
This one is pretty good too. Makes me sweat loads!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6olejYe6bU&feature=youtube_gdata_player 0 -
Get Jillian Michael's DVDs or any workout dvd "online" =P0
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It sucks that you enjoy the gym but can't keep your membership. I know that going to the gym really works for me. Knowing I paid for a membership motivates me to get there and use it. I have zero discipline at home. If I don't leave the house, it ain't happening for me. On weekends I run long trails in the hills and that's wonderful, and no gym is required, but I see that you aren't able to run. Hopefully, you aren't like me and you can take some of this great advice people are giving - finding free online workout videos, etc. - and enjoy some exercise at home. Good luck! :flowerforyou:0
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Find an apartment block with at least 8 floors.
Walk, run, crawl up and down those stairs for half an hour.
You will have legs like an oil rig and the lungs of Usain Bolt!0 -
exercise dvds, I have been doing the 30 day shred you can find it on youtube also bodyrocktv and amanda russell , zukzakalight all on youtube and there are many more just type in workouts
also check out some fitness classes like zumba, pilates, aerobics etc from the parks and recreation district in your area they have several classes for really cheap. also look on craigslist for a bike or exercise bike and weights, maybe check yardsales also. I hope this helps0 -
If you're a student does your school have a gym? Chances are if your going to a collage or university you're already paying a gym fee for their gym. It's already paid for so use it as much as you want
I know I put my school gym to good use and I missed being able to go there once I graduated.
You might be able get student discounts at some gyms in your area too, it doesn't hurt to ask around. Being a student sucks because you're broke most of the time so you might as well take advantage of the perks ( gyms aren't the only places that have student discounts either, restaurants, airlines, museums, amusement parks and movie theaters are all places that might offer lower rates for students).
Good luck!0 -
Hi.
I'm a student and for me, if I really wanted to join a gym, loads of local places offer student rates - but I'm going to assume you've alreay looked at that option and ruled it out.
Personally, I saved up and got a Heart Rate Monitor (from a shop that gave student discount LOL!) and I wear it every time I work out to make sure I'm hitting the calorie burn target I should be.
I look around local charity/thrift shops and am always buying workout DVD's, which I use at home, Hence the Heart Rate Monitor to check how I'm doing. That way I get to do loads of different workouts which target different areas and I really make sure I sweat!
My husband is currently looking at buying a magnetic resistance trainer stand for his old bicycle, so that he can turn it into a stationery cycle for the winter months.
Finally, whilst you may love cycling, I'm wondering if you might consider taking up the C25k challenge (couch to 5k running plan in 9 weeks). It's a free plan (check out coolrunnings.com) and if you are in the UK (sorry I didn't check), you can get a free itunes download podcast to help you along c/o the NHS. Alternatively, if you get yourself a waterproof HRM - swimming burns calories like you wouldn't believe and gives you a great body shape in return.
Hope some of these ideas help out.
Mavis0 -
A very fast walk is fantastic cardio. Study notes as mp3 and off you go
Fantastic idea - now why didn't I think of that! I am SO doing this in my final uni year! Thanks.
Mavis0 -
Go to http://www.fitnessblender.com/ for loads of free workouts with workouts being added all the time. You might want to play your own music in the backgrounds as they do not play music but they are great and many of them do not require equipment or you can find substitutes for weights e.g filled water bottles.0
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Kettlebells may help. You can buy one Kettlebell and get a kick-*kitten* workout in less than 20 minutes. I use my kettlebell when I'm short on time. WalMart has them for reasonable prices, or you could try a consignment sporting goods store like Play It Again, Sports for decent prices on kettlebells.
Then check out the kettlebell workouts on YouTube. My first 15 minute kettlebell workout had me limping for 3 days after! That is some serious exercise!0 -
Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. If you can't afford DVDs it's on youtube. Once done with that you can do 30 Day Ripped. Awesome workout in 30 minutes. POP pilates also do some hard core workouts on youtube. Also if you have a normal push bike you can buy devices to sit under the wheels to make it into a stationary bike.
I had a pulmonary embolism and have 2 large areas of 1 lung damaged due to the lack of blood and oxygen flow. I've been following the Couch to 5km app on iPhone and am back running. Doc is impressed with the recover of my lung. Only way to reverse damage is to start slow and steady. Most people's mistake when taking up running to to go at it like a bull at the gate. Swimming is another good way to get lung capacity up without overdoing it.
Good luck.0 -
Resistance bands and a yoga mat. You can do almost anything at home with them, with a little imagination. You can walk in place as you watch TV. You can walk as fast as you want. Adding different motions, steps and exercises while you walk, adds to the cardio expenditure. It's easy to figure out a doable walking program.0
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Spend 20-40 quid on a second hand mountain bike.
Go out, cycle a bit to warm up and then find a hill and sprint up that mutha..... take it easier on the way back down. Then repeat for 30-60 mins depending on your level of fitness on a variety of hills with different inclines/elevations. I guarantee this will be twice the workout of hitting a stationary bike (hell, maybe three/four/five times the workout).
You won't be setting fire to your money on a monthly basis (a bike is a one off cost) and you get a mode of transport that can actually get you places and help to up your daily activity level.....0 -
I use workout apps! and you could also try at home workout videos until you find one you like! But I use the Daniel miller apps (free versions!) and I rotate them different days. I do the cardio app one everyday and then mix in a leg, butt, arm, or abs one!0
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Hop on youtube and hunt around for short fitness videos that catch your interest. There are a bazillion on there, so there's bound to be at least 1 that you like!
^^This!!
Also, get yourself a kettlebell! They don't cost much and are a great way to get cardio and strength in one go, work out your whole body without using loads of different machines and because the workout is more intense and effective, it only takes 20 mins a day (not including warm up of course) I love mine and use it all the time! There are LOADS of videos on Youtube showing you the exercises and proper form (SO important with this type of exercise!)
Also, i quite like the Wii Fit Plus for mild exercise and a bit of fun...
X x x0 -
Yea I sometime utube videos, also workout are on the tv, I record them for later, virtual skipping and jumping jacks really get your heart rate up, i do these through the adverts when i'm watching tv. I would say also schedule time in for your workout at home, i have a reminder that pops up on my phone saying workout time, just like scheduling the gym. Good luck0
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i just play my favourite music that can make me jump up and down, put my headphone on and dance!
better than running !
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Suggest you visit Car Boot Sales/ Garage Sales in your area. You will pick up a discarded Static Bike or Cross Trainer for a few Pounds/ Dollars!0
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