Any suggestions for strength???

ohtobe2
ohtobe2 Posts: 43 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I kinda live in the whop whops so dont have access to gyms etc close by. I also dont have any weights at home.
So my question is:

How can I strength train with no equipment? What are the best exercises to do?

I have no idea when it comes to building muscle...

Replies

  • Mmmporkrinds
    Mmmporkrinds Posts: 192 Member
    You could use tins of tomatoes etc (though weights are really good to have). Also pushups are good - I'm doing the hundred pushups challenge (http://hundredpushups.com/) which I'm finding is building strength quite quickly.
  • ohtobe2
    ohtobe2 Posts: 43 Member
    OMG - how embarrassing! I took a look at the push up challenge.. I cant even do one!
  • thefuzz1290
    thefuzz1290 Posts: 777 Member
    - PVC pipes filled with water and end caps
    - Sand bags
    - Tractor tire
    - Sledge hammer
    - Heavy chains and metal bar
    - Big rocks
    - Heavy duty backpack filled with heavy stuff

    That's all I could think of in about 30-45 seconds.
  • Feathil
    Feathil Posts: 162 Member
    Yeah, I can't do any push ups. It's a pain because if you could do one, then at least you could start doing one, then two, then keep building. ... Can't begin that journey if I can't do one...
  • Amy_nz
    Amy_nz Posts: 145 Member
    I'm push-up-challenged as well - but a good way of starting to build up strength with them is to stand facing a wall and do push-ups against the wall. You'll slowly build up strength and can graduate to proper push-ups. Works a treat!
  • ohtobe2
    ohtobe2 Posts: 43 Member
    Yea, Ive started doing them leaning on the kitchen bench. Done it a couple of time with a days rest in between. Have definately noticed a difference, but still no where near a real push up... LOL
  • Mmmporkrinds
    Mmmporkrinds Posts: 192 Member
    Little by little! I could do six at first (struggled though) and now I can get up to 14, just by adding a tiny bit more each time... it does feel good when you can do more! So if you work up to doing more kitchen bench ones, it won't be long before you can do one on your knees, then more, then one 'real' one, etc. etc.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    Try these two:
    http://www.twohundredsquats.com/
    http://hundredpushups.com/

    Do modified pushups until you can do full ones. (on a wall, on your knees....)

    This website also has body weight workouts: http://nerdfitness.com/blog/
  • wdwghettogirl
    wdwghettogirl Posts: 559 Member
    Find things around your home to substitute for hand weights: eg. cans of beans (or whatever), water jugs (full, obviously), rocks, etc. Grab a 5 pound bag of flour and do lunges, squats, sit ups. I peeked at your profile and you said you have a son. If he's young, use him as your weight. See how many times you can lift him up in the air (above your head), or toss him up and catch him, swing him around... you'll be getting a great work out and he'll think it's just play time! :smile: And keep working on those push ups! :wink:
  • ohtobe2
    ohtobe2 Posts: 43 Member
    wdwghettogirl - I had a wee giggle when I read your post. He is 10 years old and weighs about 35 kgs. Dont think Id be able to throw him up anymore, let alone catch him. But good idea with a wee one...
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    I have a book called "You are your own gym" by Joshua Clark that is all about bodyweight exercises.
    I bought it on Kindle on my iPhone and it has some pretty good ideas that don't need any equipment.
  • wdwghettogirl
    wdwghettogirl Posts: 559 Member
    wdwghettogirl - I had a wee giggle when I read your post. He is 10 years old and weighs about 35 kgs. Dont think Id be able to throw him up anymore, let alone catch him. But good idea with a wee one...

    haha Yeah, I don't think a 10yo would work so much for that. lol
  • Daydreams406
    Daydreams406 Posts: 249 Member
    Squats are awesome as well! And Lunges!
  • thinclo
    thinclo Posts: 164 Member
    bump
  • kayleen_longworth
    kayleen_longworth Posts: 147 Member
    YOGA! Seriously, you use a lot of your own body weight. That's what I use for my strength training. The added benefit is increased flexibility. You can probably find you-tube videos of basic yoga moves/workouts. Give it a try at least once and see what you feel the next day. You get out of it what you put into it, much like free weights.

    Yoga incorporates pushup type exercises, squats, lunges, abdominal/core work, lots of stretching. Well worth it!
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    I'm a fan of water bottles as weights. All you need is to fill them or empty them to adjust the weight! That and your own body weight is great too. Pushups, situps, squats, lunges, tricep dips, etc. work great. Lots of things you can do to work those muscles! Move stuff around just for the sake of moving it. Lift your couch. Push your car down the driveway - you may not move it but it's still a good workout! LOL! It's all about getting moving in the motions you use everyday.
  • stephenatl09
    stephenatl09 Posts: 186 Member
    If you are not able to do a push up you should start there. If you have stairs then use them that is a good way to start. Use one of the higher steps then work your way down, it should build as you go, before long you will be doing the pushup challenge. :smile: Do bodyweight squats against a wall if you are worried about balance. just make sure you place your feet out a bit. your knees should not go past your toes. the main thing is to start, small steps at first.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Put your car in neutral, have someone sit in the driver seat, and push it. 100 yards and you'll have a new appreciation for combustion engines.

    This exercise is a BLAST: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/sledgehammer-workout/#axzz1pa47gkb0

    Fill a gym bag with books and heavy things, clean it, then run a relay.

    Tie some long heavy rope to a tree and do battle ropes work

    Google calisthenics, there's MILLIONS of body weight exercises you can do. Squat Thrusts, Burpees, Mountain Climbers, Squats, Lunges, Box Jumps, Mason Twists, Leg Lifts, Dive Bombers, Pull ups, Squat Kicks, Jumping Jacks to name a few.

    Invest in workout bands

    Invest in workout DVDs
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