Strength Training without gym/weights

CallmeSbo
CallmeSbo Posts: 611 Member
edited October 6 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone!

How can I strength train without gym or weight...Im kinda between a rock and a hard place right now where money is concerned. I cant afford to join a gym or buy weights..I have 3.5kg weights that I bought years ago when I still had a job.But thats it.What CAN i do strength train ?
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Replies

  • Push ups, pull ups, sit ups, etc... Good calisthenic work can add strength (and provides a good workout) when you don't have the equipment or ability to get to the gym.
  • melaniejames
    melaniejames Posts: 11 Member
    Use your own body weight. I do lunges which works the legs. I also do squats. Anything that means I have to move my own fat butt with my own muscle.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Resistance bands, gallon jugs of water
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    lift heavy objects around your house. Buy water jugs and use them for hand weights. BW work is a great place to start.
  • KOOLSMILE
    KOOLSMILE Posts: 12 Member
    There are so many things that can be done outside. I train with my friend who is absolutely crazy. We do everything you can imagine outside...walking up stairs at the court house, squats on the bus benches, push up against buildings a/c units, bench dips on benchs at a park..the list is endless. When I work out at the gym, it is like a relief from the craziness. All around you are things/places you can go to build strength. Just this morning I was screaming feeling like Rocky as we climbed up and down the stairs at the local court house. I can't even tell you how my legs are shaping out very nicely from stairs.
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    Use your body. You don't need weights to strength train. Check youtube for example of body weight workouts.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Use your body. You don't need weights to strength train. Check youtube for example of body weight workouts.

    How do you propose a strength training program for legs with bodyweight?
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    Use your body. You don't need weights to strength train. Check youtube for example of body weight workouts.

    How do you propose a strength training program for legs with bodyweight?

    Tell me how does a person strength train their legs?
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Use your own body weight. I do lunges which works the legs. I also do squats. Anything that means I have to move my own fat butt with my own muscle.

    You aren't improving strength doing just bodyweight squats and lunges. You'll get some muscle endurance on the short term, and thats about it. You need resistance.
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    Use your own body weight. I do lunges which works the legs. I also do squats. Anything that means I have to move my own fat butt with my own muscle.

    You aren't improving strength doing just bodyweight squats and lunges. You'll get some muscle endurance on the short term, and thats about it. You need resistance.

    ---
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Use your body. You don't need weights to strength train. Check youtube for example of body weight workouts.

    How do you propose a strength training program for legs with bodyweight?

    Tell me how does a person strength train their legs?

    You need resistance to build strength in the legs.
  • AZTrailRunner
    AZTrailRunner Posts: 1,199 Member
    See if you can afford a TRX. It's all about body weight movements.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Use your own body weight. I do lunges which works the legs. I also do squats. Anything that means I have to move my own fat butt with my own muscle.

    You aren't improving strength doing just bodyweight squats and lunges. You'll get some muscle endurance on the short term, and thats about it. You need resistance.

    I wasn't the only person that recommended bodyweight exercises. But, you've singled me out. Why?

    I commented on another poster too.
  • Sublog
    Sublog Posts: 1,296 Member
    Lift Heavy - this applies to everyone, everywhere! Put down those dinky pink dumbbells. Go workout in man-land instead!
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Lol.

    See the thing with legs is, you're using your legs all the time, every day. You're legs are used to your bodyweight. You HAVE to add resistance to build strength in them.

    This isn't the same as your upper body. You can use your own bodyweight to build strength in upper body because you don't walk on your arms, shoulders, chest, and back all day long.

    Ya dig?
  • Scott613
    Scott613 Posts: 2,317 Member
    Hi everyone!

    How can I strength train without gym or weight...Im kinda between a rock and a hard place right now where money is concerned. I cant afford to join a gym or buy weights..I have 3.5kg weights that I bought years ago when I still had a job.But thats it.What CAN i do strength train ?
    go to a place like half price books. Look in the fitness section and you can find tons of books on bodyweight exercises. If you want to get more muscle you will eventually need to add more resistance.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Use your body. You don't need weights to strength train. Check youtube for example of body weight workouts.


    For strength training, you need progressive overload. There is a finite amount of resistance you can create using your own bodyweight.
  • byroman
    byroman Posts: 75 Member
    Try one leg squats. More than double the weight per leg of using both legs at the same time.
  • doughnutwretch
    doughnutwretch Posts: 498 Member
    Use your body. You don't need weights to strength train. Check youtube for example of body weight workouts.

    How do you propose a strength training program for legs with bodyweight?

    Tell me how does a person strength train their legs?

    Doing any movements with just body weight, such as squats and lunges, will condition your muscles, but you will not build any more strength with this method. You have to factor in resistence in order to build strength.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Try one leg squats. More than double the weight per leg of using both legs at the same time.

    Lmao. Seriously? Ok you got me.

    If I find someone at my gym doing one legged squats like that I will write them a check to buy some weights at the store.
  • thecrossfitter
    thecrossfitter Posts: 424 Member
    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

    He also includes a video where you explains and shows how to do everything :)
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    To the OP. If you are a beginner, Uisng your bodyweight is probably sufficent for now. Especially if you are doing a squat properly. ie.. down enough for a legal squat. Jump squats would probably help add some resistance. Along with bands (that are very cheap to buy used).

    Eventually, you'll overcome your bodyweight and need to start using more resistance that bands can give.

    Note: this is for the OP and is NOT designed to be a reply to anyone else's comments. :)
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Try one leg squats. More than double the weight per leg of using both legs at the same time.

    Lmao. Seriously? Ok you got me.

    If I find someone at my gym doing one legged squats like that I will write them a check to buy some weights at the store.

    I squat and dead. But plan on learning how to do one legged squats. My right leg is weaker than my left due to my knee bugging me before.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    To the OP. If you are a beginner, Uisng your bodyweight is probably sufficent for now. Especially if you are doing a squat properly. ie.. down enough for a legal squat. Jump squats would probably help add some resistance. Along with bands (that are very cheap to buy used).

    Eventually, you'll overcome your bodyweight and need to start using more resistance that bands can give.

    Note: this is for the OP and is NOT designed to be a reply to anyone else's comments. :)

    thank you for explaining how you "designed" your reply. interesting...
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    Don't get discouraged. You should be able to accomplish plenty doing body weight exercises and cardio while you save some dough for some weights to help complete your workouts. Check out thrift/second-hand stores for some bargains. Good luck!
  • diaryoffatdad
    diaryoffatdad Posts: 175 Member
    Try one leg squats. More than double the weight per leg of using both legs at the same time.

    Lmao. Seriously? Ok you got me.

    If I find someone at my gym doing one legged squats like that I will write them a check to buy some weights at the store.

    joe what gym do you work out at and when will you be there
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Try one leg squats. More than double the weight per leg of using both legs at the same time.

    Lmao. Seriously? Ok you got me.

    If I find someone at my gym doing one legged squats like that I will write them a check to buy some weights at the store.

    joe what gym do you work out at and when will you be there

    I'd also like to know, but for completely different reasons :blushing:
  • thecrossfitter
    thecrossfitter Posts: 424 Member
    To the OP - Also some tabata stuff gets in cardio with your strength. Here is an example:

    Do 20 seconds on (max reps) and 10 seconds off/rest. Repeat this cycle 8 times (4 minute) for EACH of the following
    -Air squats
    -Jumping squats
    -Lunges
    -Jumping lunges

    (16 minute total workout)

    I implore you all, MFP - don't bicker in a non-construtive manner, let's not get the thread locked. Try to respond with information to help the original poster! They posed a great question! Let's try to all help this person out!
  • Try doing the exercises from this website - they focus on alot of bodyweight exercise and give free daily workout routines. It's a site where you can do great ramped up exercises in your home without having to spend a bunch of money on fitness equipment plus get in the best shape of your life.
    http://www.bodyrock.tv/
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Try one leg squats. More than double the weight per leg of using both legs at the same time.

    Lmao. Seriously? Ok you got me.

    If I find someone at my gym doing one legged squats like that I will write them a check to buy some weights at the store.

    joe what gym do you work out at and when will you be there

    Gold's Gym - Washington DC on Capitol Hill

    I'm there Tues, Wed, Sat, and Sun from 6:30am - 8:00am. =)

    Will you spot me on the flat bench before I write you a check? lol
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