Need help with strength training at home

sarahcohee · October 2017

I am unable to make it to a gym for lifting, but I would like to do some strength training in addition to the cardio I already do. Does anyone have suggestions for things I can do without gym machines? Thanks!!

Yohli · October 2017

Jillian Michaels App is pretty good. You can customize the workouts. A mat and hand weights will suffice. She has a few demo workouts before you subscribe.

Riskay123 · October 2017

Hi Sarah
I have recently started training at home using a bar and some hand weights. I also was finding it difficult to attend the gym and I was using this as an excuse not to exercise. One of the other ladies on this site recommended a website called Fitness Blender. I enjoy these workouts a lot and I can do them all at a time that suits me and there are lots of different videos so you don't get fed up doing the same thing.

MagicJimmy · October 2017

I think resistance bands are the way to go for home strength training if you don't have access to barbells and machines, especially for major muscle-group exercises like bench press, curls, squats. They replicate machine movements better than anything else and are very versatile without breaking the wallet.

EmbeeKay · October 2017

I have a:
-set of adjustable dumbbells (up to 50 lb ea)
-mat
-set of bands
-pull up bar
-Swiss ball
-flight of stairs (haha- it’s a basement)

And with this, I am able to get in a really good hard workout for not a lot of money. Currently doing Strong Curves (alternating with Bodyrock workouts). I do want more equipment, but I’ll get there.

Even with no weights, you can get a great workout doing push-ups, pull-ups, squats, lunges, and planks.

pondee629 · October 2017

A set of adjustable dumbbells (I like the PowerBlocks) and FitnessBlender.com

rybo · October 2017

Yayog
Al kavadlo
Convict conditioning
GMB fitness
gymnastics bodies

stanmann571 · October 2017

rybo wrote: »

Yayog
Al kavadlo
Convict conditioning
GMB fitness
gymnastics bodies

For the uninitiated YAYOG=You are your own gym.

I second these recommendations and would add Pavel Tsatsouline's Naked Warrior.

xvolution · October 2017

I'd get a set of resistance bands that come with a door anchor. A really good set can be found for as low as $15.

lorrpb · October 2017

I got a pair of DB handles at Goodwill that accept 1" plates. They are much cheaper than the Powerblocks and infinitely adjustable. I've also bought some used fixed weight DB and a 60" bar I use for DL.

jjpptt2 · October 2017

If you're willing to spend a little money, a TRX or similar suspension system can be a great bang-for-the-buck investment.

The previously mentioned body weight routines are also excellent suggestions.

RavenLibra · October 2017

For functional fitness have a look at sandbag workouts, for $100 bucks or less you can create some fantastic strength building and muscle endurance ( cardio) workouts, without needing a lot of storage space for the gear

stanmann571 · October 2017

jjpptt2 wrote: »

If you're willing to spend a little money, a TRX or similar suspension system can be a great bang-for-the-buck investment.

The previously mentioned body weight routines are also excellent suggestions.

lorrpb wrote: »

I got a pair of DB handles at Goodwill that accept 1" plates. They are much cheaper than the Powerblocks and infinitely adjustable. I've also bought some used fixed weight DB and a 60" bar I use for DL.

See also Craigslist and Facebook/Freecycle

jagilmour · October 2017

Can buy dumbells or kettlebells pretty cheap, and both are versatile, use them for upper body, kettlebell swings and holding them for squats are great compound movements working major muscle groups and both don't take up much space if storage is a problem.

brendanwhite84 · October 2017

stanmann571 wrote: »

jjpptt2 wrote: »

If you're willing to spend a little money, a TRX or similar suspension system can be a great bang-for-the-buck investment.

The previously mentioned body weight routines are also excellent suggestions.

lorrpb wrote: »

I got a pair of DB handles at Goodwill that accept 1" plates. They are much cheaper than the Powerblocks and infinitely adjustable. I've also bought some used fixed weight DB and a 60" bar I use for DL.

See also Craigslist and Facebook/Freecycle

+1 for Craiglist and other regional markets for used home gym equipment.

I also put together a power rack and olympic barbell setup for home for well under $1000. Sounds like a lot for the uninitiated but it's totally worth it, and with a proper rack you can safely lift all by yourself with no spotter.

sarahcohee · October 2017

Thank you for all of the suggestions! I'm going to be checking these things out to see what works best for me. Thanks!!

Lean59man · October 2017

Pushups and bodyweight squats.

DancingMoosie · October 2017

There are some video that I really like that use dumbbells. Do you like a mix if cardio and weights? Some good ones to try are (almost) anything from The Firm, Denise Austin 3week boot camp, Jillian Michaels 30 day shred/Ripped in 30 or shed and shred, Cathe Friedrich.