Strength training without a gym membership?

imflabbygabby
imflabbygabby Posts: 1 Member
edited November 16 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm trying to whittle down my waist, becuase of my apple shaped body. I hear that lifting can help expedite the process and strengthen my core, but unfortunately I am not financially able to get a gym membership, and the only equipment i have at home are 5 lb dumbells! Is there any way I can strength train without weights? Suggestions for specific exercises would be nice, Bodyweight exercise/cardio just doesnt seem to be producing results...

Replies

  • ChristineCoen
    ChristineCoen Posts: 16 Member
    Hey Gabby, I recommend people buy resistance bands and/or a TRX for at home workouts if they want to do strength training. You can do really challenging body weight and resistance training using this equipment. It's a little bit of an investment, but the payoff is worth it! GOod luck!
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Look into the program called You Are Your Own Gym.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    Look into the program called You Are Your Own Gym.

    This.

    Alternatively Convict Conditioning or Nerdfitness.

    As with any methodology a structured plan helps
  • hilhilbean
    hilhilbean Posts: 92 Member
    I've been doing the 30 day trial from beachbody to get started (currently doing Chalean Extreme) and my own weights. I went to a lift-centric gym for a few months about two years ago, so that knowledge combined with a trainer on the TV telling me what to do helps. There are so many free videos and tutorials out there, too.
  • Lavelle1980
    Lavelle1980 Posts: 367 Member
    I used Body Beast by Beachbody products. It's all strength training and it's like having your own personal trainer at home. I invested in dumbbells. You can get a workout with 5-25lbs. And Resistance bands are cheap and very good for building and strength.
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    Look into the program called You Are Your Own Gym.

    I'm a big fan of that program.
  • GrayRider61
    GrayRider61 Posts: 337 Member
    You can do a bodyweight circuit at home (planks, pushups, lunges, etc.). Resistance bands or dumbbells are helpful. Check out nerdfitness.com for a detailed program.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    Look into the program called You Are Your Own Gym.

    This.

    Alternatively Convict Conditioning or Nerdfitness.

    As with any methodology a structured plan helps

    This. Non access to a gym does not at all mean that one can't effectively strength train.
  • ticiaelizabeth
    ticiaelizabeth Posts: 139 Member
    I, too, have an apple shaped body. I have found that focusing on building bigger legs and glutes has started to better balance my body. With such few weights, I would focus on step ups, glute bridges, 1 leg glute bridges, donkey kicks, squats and lunges (which have tons of variations). I used to work a lot on abs, but the muscles pushed out the fat and made my torso look thicker. I still do some for balance purposes and to prevent injury but a strong focus on legs/butt and arms/shoulders/back will be your best bet to make your waist appear smaller
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    I added significant strength with resistance bands and general floor exercises. It's amazing what you can accomplish with them!

    I like the YouTube channel "popsugar" for free videos, including resistance band workouts.

    You must be careful to avoid accidents. Some exercises involve attaching one end of the band to something like a doorknob and pulling toward you. (What could possibly go wrong?)

    Here's a set that looks good:

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/7245456313/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_8SwWybP9SE87E
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    I added significant strength with resistance bands and general floor exercises. It's amazing what you can accomplish with them!

    I like the YouTube channel "popsugar" for free videos, including resistance band workouts.

    You must be careful to avoid accidents. Some exercises involve attaching one end of the band to something like a doorknob and pulling toward you. (What could possibly go wrong?)

    Here's a set that looks good:

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/7245456313/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_8SwWybP9SE87E

    I have that set. Note to OP: it does come with a door anchor, so you can adjust the height up and down for your exercises (and no doorknob injuries ;P ).
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