Need at home ideas

jecka31
jecka31 Posts: 284 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey MFP! I have been working out at the Student Rec center on campus now and have a loved it. They closed today for the winter break (till mid Jan). I can't afford to join the local gyms for one month (they all want $75) so I am stuck working out at home. My current weight lifting schedule is 3 on/ 1 off: (1) Legs, (2) Chest, delts and triceps and (3) Back, Biceps and forearms. I workout abs every other day and do cardio 5x week. I know how to work my legs, biceps, delts, triceps and forearms with what I have at home.

What can I do for my chest and back? I have access to 3 lb, 5 lb and 8lb dumbbells at home (not enough to challenge me). I don't have anywhere nor can I do pull ups (not strong enough yet). I do as many push-ups as I can and then switch to "girly" to finish out the sets (again, not strong enough yet).

This would be a plan for just the winter break but I don't want to set back my progress because of lack of equipment. Thanks for any ideas!!

Replies

  • christinehetz80
    christinehetz80 Posts: 490 Member
    Check out Girls Gone Strong on facebook and their blog...they have TONS of at home solutions for most workouts. Also Erin Stern she has a youtube channel where she has some wicked crazy vids. I know I'm not being specific, because I don't have an actual exercise solution...I'm JUST starting to strength train. Oooh and shape magazine. They just posted on facebook top alternatives to machines for strength training.
  • jecka31
    jecka31 Posts: 284 Member
    Check out Girls Gone Strong on facebook and their blog...they have TONS of at home solutions for most workouts. Also Erin Stern she has a youtube channel where she has some wicked crazy vids. I know I'm not being specific, because I don't have an actual exercise solution...I'm JUST starting to strength train. Oooh and shape magazine. They just posted on facebook top alternatives to machines for strength training.

    Thanks! I'll check these out!
  • iamvillanueva
    iamvillanueva Posts: 63 Member
    Check out your local ymca. My y offers a free 7 day trial. That'll get you one week at the gym. Other gyms may have similar offers.
  • jecka31
    jecka31 Posts: 284 Member
    Check out your local ymca. My y offers a free 7 day trial. That'll get you one week at the gym. Other gyms may have similar offers.
    I live in a really small town. We don't have a YMCA. There are two gyms here that offer a free week but you have to join to get it (dumb).
  • Diary_Queen
    Diary_Queen Posts: 1,314 Member
    You can get a resistance band set with an over the door attachment that's very useful to simulate pull-ups. I have one set that I got from Academy for about $20 that has interchangeable band strengths. You can use then separately or together as your strength progresses. :)
  • PepeGreggerton
    PepeGreggerton Posts: 986 Member
    Hey MFP! I have been working out at the Student Rec center on campus now and have a loved it. They closed today for the winter break (till mid Jan). I can't afford to join the local gyms for one month (they all want $75) so I am stuck working out at home. My current weight lifting schedule is 3 on/ 1 off: (1) Legs, (2) Chest, delts and triceps and (3) Back, Biceps and forearms. I workout abs every other day and do cardio 5x week. I know how to work my legs, biceps, delts, triceps and forearms with what I have at home.

    What can I do for my chest and back? I have access to 3 lb, 5 lb and 8lb dumbbells at home (not enough to challenge me). I don't have anywhere nor can I do pull ups (not strong enough yet). I do as many push-ups as I can and then switch to "girly" to finish out the sets (again, not strong enough yet).

    This would be a plan for just the winter break but I don't want to set back my progress because of lack of equipment. Thanks for any ideas!!

    You can do my push-up challenge!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/1459-2012-366-push-up-challenge
  • BobbyClerici
    BobbyClerici Posts: 813 Member
    Yes, check out these exercises I do at home.
    LOVE IT!

    http://www.calisthenicexercise.com/

    Also, for a more advance workout, these bodyweight exercises work wonders.
    http://extremebodyweightworkouts.com/

    For Cardio, try this:
    http://fitnesstrainerstogo.com/cardio/

    Good Luck!
  • juma4474
    juma4474 Posts: 64 Member
    You can do a standing row, a row with a "y" variation, and a butterfly; all of these with the dumb bells will work your upper back. You can google search them for instructions on proper technique.

    As for your chest, try some staggered push-ups to give your body a little challenge. Try alternating your hands one higher up and one lower down, or try doing up and down planks. You get into the plank position then lower yourself to your forearm with one arm then the next, then go back up to your hands one at a time. This will work your chest, triceps, biceps, etc.

    Good Luck, and keep up the hard work!
  • jecka31
    jecka31 Posts: 284 Member
    Hey MFP! I have been working out at the Student Rec center on campus now and have a loved it. They closed today for the winter break (till mid Jan). I can't afford to join the local gyms for one month (they all want $75) so I am stuck working out at home. My current weight lifting schedule is 3 on/ 1 off: (1) Legs, (2) Chest, delts and triceps and (3) Back, Biceps and forearms. I workout abs every other day and do cardio 5x week. I know how to work my legs, biceps, delts, triceps and forearms with what I have at home.

    What can I do for my chest and back? I have access to 3 lb, 5 lb and 8lb dumbbells at home (not enough to challenge me). I don't have anywhere nor can I do pull ups (not strong enough yet). I do as many push-ups as I can and then switch to "girly" to finish out the sets (again, not strong enough yet).

    This would be a plan for just the winter break but I don't want to set back my progress because of lack of equipment. Thanks for any ideas!!

    You can do my push-up challenge!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/1459-2012-366-push-up-challenge

    I Joined!!
  • jecka31
    jecka31 Posts: 284 Member
    You can get a resistance band set with an over the door attachment that's very useful to simulate pull-ups. I have one set that I got from Academy for about $20 that has interchangeable band strengths. You can use then separately or together as your strength progresses. :)

    I have bands already but don't have an overhead attachment. The one I have goes around the door knob, then you shut the door. I forgot about being able to do chest flyes or rows with these! I'll have to see if I can find something that will allow me to attach it higher so I can do pull-downs.
  • jecka31
    jecka31 Posts: 284 Member
    Yes, check out these exercises I do at home.
    LOVE IT!

    http://www.calisthenicexercise.com/

    Also, for a more advance workout, these bodyweight exercises work wonders.
    http://extremebodyweightworkouts.com/

    For Cardio, try this:
    http://fitnesstrainerstogo.com/cardio/

    Good Luck!

    I am lucky in that I have a treadmill at home so I'm set on cardio. I'll check this websites out. Thanks!
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    I do circuit training w/weights online with Jillian Michaels. Go to jillianmichaels.com/shred for a 30 day free trail. It is awesome and if you decide you like it, the cost is $4.00 a week!
  • jecka31
    jecka31 Posts: 284 Member
    You can do a standing row, a row with a "y" variation, and a butterfly; all of these with the dumb bells will work your upper back. You can google search them for instructions on proper technique.

    As for your chest, try some staggered push-ups to give your body a little challenge. Try alternating your hands one higher up and one lower down, or try doing up and down planks. You get into the plank position then lower yourself to your forearm with one arm then the next, then go back up to your hands one at a time. This will work your chest, triceps, biceps, etc.

    Good Luck, and keep up the hard work!

    Thanks! I will try these out!
  • cantobean
    cantobean Posts: 287 Member
    I use resistance bands. They are fairly cheap and you can use them for just about everything. Get one with a little hook that you can put in a door hinge.
  • LeeDahlen38
    LeeDahlen38 Posts: 156 Member
    Check planetfitness.com for a gym near you. They are 10/mo and 20/mo will let you use ANY location in the US. I got that one and have done 3 states so far (Being a truck driver.) When I am home I use the wii. Tonite I just did Wii bowling. 60 minutes is 350 cals. Also the wii will do netflix and then you can stream all the workouts you want for 8.99/month. Hope one of these will help you!! Good Luck! Lee #NoExcusesLetsGo!!
  • FITnFIRM4LIFE
    FITnFIRM4LIFE Posts: 818 Member
    bump
  • watergirl626
    watergirl626 Posts: 249 Member
    You can check out the Women's Health Big Book of Exercises from the library. They have a ton of exercises along with both harder and easier variations. It is a personal trainer in a book.
  • jecka31
    jecka31 Posts: 284 Member
    Check planetfitness.com for a gym near you. They are 10/mo and 20/mo will let you use ANY location in the US. I got that one and have done 3 states so far (Being a truck driver.) When I am home I use the wii. Tonite I just did Wii bowling. 60 minutes is 350 cals. Also the wii will do netflix and then you can stream all the workouts you want for 8.99/month. Hope one of these will help you!! Good Luck! Lee #NoExcusesLetsGo!!

    The closet "big" chain gyms are all in North Austin which is easily an hour drive without traffic (usually takes me 30 minutes to get into south Austin because of Traffic). Tomorrow I'm going to see what the gyms close to campus have to offer. I do have the Wii and have Zumba for cardio. I didn't think to look for videos on Netflix!
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