Home gym recommendations for the tiniest apartment

aacoulter
aacoulter Posts: 3
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello,

I've been doing body weight strength exercise 4 times a week at home (Fitness Blender and other exercises I've picked up online.) for just over two months and I've finally seen some results that grinding away on a cardio machine never gave me. It seems like I've plateaued though because for the last two weeks things haven't been challenging me like they used to and adding more reps doesn't seem to help. I'm looking into getting some weights for at home because between full time university and working nights, I just don't have time to go to a gym. My problem is that my apartment is so tiny. I have about 4'x6' to work out in after dragging my coffee table off to the side of my livingroom. I was browsing online and dumbbells that nest are a great way to save space and found the PowerBlock sets like these http://powerblock.com/prod_homeuse_u70stage1.php. They seem like a really great option. Some sets can be adapted into kettlebells as well. I can also bring them with me this fall while I finish off my degree at a remote field station for three months. Once I'm done school I'm hoping to start lifting at a gym so expanding more than that isn't really an issue. I'm not totally sold though and open to other recommendations. Any idea?

Thanks,
Angie

Replies

  • SKME2013
    SKME2013 Posts: 704 Member
    I have Bowflex dumbbells and Bodylastic exercise bands, both of which are great.
    Stef.
  • aliakynes
    aliakynes Posts: 352 Member
    They are a great investment. I use Bowflex because I found a better deal. Go to a store that sells them and try them out to be sure you know which one you prefer.

    You don't have a lot of weight to lose so it sounds like you're interested in changing your body comp. This is pretty much what lifting is for. You might see about getting a trainer for a few sessions to make sure you're lifting properly or find a friend who can show you the ropes. There are plenty of lifting programs online you can choose from and loads of success stories around the forum.

    Here's a recent one: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1222939-look-what-3-years-of-lifting-can-do

    I'm currently using mine to do a 5x5 program. I'm hoping to be able to use the full weight (52.5 lbs) in each set by the time I'm done (not much in the world of lifts but it's enough for me).
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    You can do a lot with exercise bands. You can usually find a set which gives you several bands with varying levels of resistance several different interchangeable end grips for different exercises, and a door anchor. That door anchor is invaluable. You can do tons of exercises with it. You can usually find a set for around $20.

    Another option is a set of adjustable dumbbells. You can usually find a set of those for around $20 as well, and you can always buy more plates as you progress for much cheaper than buying static dumbbells, and you'll need much less space to store them.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,042 Member
    TRX Suspension training system. You can even take it with you. Great if you go on vacation and there's no gym. We use them with clients on a daily basis.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Make the exercise that you currently do more difficult.
    Check out convict conditioning or YAYOG for ideas how.
    Or name what you do, and I (or others) will tell you how to make it harder.
  • aliakynes
    aliakynes Posts: 352 Member
    There's also Start Bodyweight. Loads of fun.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Agree with either getting some adjustable dumbbells or a TRX. The TRX is nice because you can get outside and go to park and use it.
  • Lift_Run_Eat
    Lift_Run_Eat Posts: 986 Member
    Get some small round furniture sliders if carpet or washrags for hard wood floors and google exercises you can do with them. I love doing mountain "sliders" with mine.
  • rachelrb85
    rachelrb85 Posts: 579 Member
    Adjustable dumbbells and a portable weight bench
  • mtnrvn
    mtnrvn Posts: 6
    Resistance bands and a kettlebell. If there is room, a bench is nice too. Also, adjustable dumbbells are great too.
  • DR2501
    DR2501 Posts: 661 Member
    Kettlebells! I have a small space in my living room and that's it, and I have several kettlebells that give me a great all over workout.
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    A pull up bar is all you really need to get in a full body workout. Get the book Convict Conditioning, and build yourself a pull up bar you mount on the wall, ceiling, or freestanding. I made my own freestanding pull up bar from about $100 worth of piping and fittings.

    Beats the sace and cost of using weights any day.
  • JoanneLynn
    JoanneLynn Posts: 156 Member
    Bump
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    If money isn't an issue, I recommend investing in Powerblock dumbbells (the ones that go all the way up to 50 lbs--not the ones that stop at 20, 24, 30, or 45), and the matching foldable sportbench. If money IS an issue, a suspension trainer or sandbags. Though I'd probably do the suspension trainer regardless.
  • aacoulter
    aacoulter Posts: 3
    Thanks for your input, everyone. I'm not really focusing on losing weight anymore because after two months of strength training I've only lost 2lbs (118 to 116lbs) but I have seen a lot of change in my thigh and butt shape and appearance of cellulite. I'm learning that a strong 120lbs looks better than a skinny-fat 110lbs on my frame. Dumbbells or resistance bands seem like the best options. The TRX system is pretty cool but my space is too small and doesn't have a door in the right spot. I'll probably keep checking craigslist for weights and grab some bands in the mean time.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    Thanks for your input, everyone. I'm not really focusing on losing weight anymore because after two months of strength training I've only lost 2lbs (118 to 116lbs) but I have seen a lot of change in my thigh and butt shape and appearance of cellulite. I'm learning that a strong 120lbs looks better than a skinny-fat 110lbs on my frame. Dumbbells or resistance bands seem like the best options. The TRX system is pretty cool but my space is too small and doesn't have a door in the right spot. I'll probably keep checking craigslist for weights and grab some bands in the mean time.

    If a suspension trainer won't do, sandbags in place of weights. I use ones made by Ultimate Sandbag. Great system.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Kettlebells take up very little space, and can be used for hundreds of different exercises. There are some good Youtube viedeos for kettlebell workouts.
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    If money isn't an issue, I recommend investing in Powerblock dumbbells (the ones that go all the way up to 50 lbs--not the ones that stop at 20, 24, 30, or 45), and the matching foldable sportbench. If money IS an issue, a suspension trainer or sandbags. Though I'd probably do the suspension trainer regardless.

    My boyfriend has the Powerblocks and he loves them. He really felt like he progressed much more quickly after getting them. They're a very cool system. He's debating on getting the extension to raise them to 70 lbs.
  • aacoulter
    aacoulter Posts: 3
    The PowerBlock set I was eying is from 5-40lbs and can be expanded to 60 and 70lbs and it is also compatible with a handle to convert to kettlebells. They are pricy though.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    Get a couple of KB's and a doorway chin-up bar and do something like simple and sinister. Or one of the old RKC programmes.

    Or do a bodyweight programme: You Are Your Own Gym, Convict Conditioning, Never Gymless, etc.

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