ideas for strength training if u don't have a gym membership

Claire594
Claire594 Posts: 349 Member
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi there,

I would like to incorporate some strength training into my exercise routine but don't have a gym membership so can't just do heavy lifting in machines.

Any ideas for stuff I could do at home? Would doing some kettlebell training count as strength or is that still cardio? In case u hadn't already guessed I'm a newbie when it comes to exercise. LOL

Replies

  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    bump. I'd like to know this too!
  • Blanche76
    Blanche76 Posts: 89 Member
    I don't go to the gym, I use dumbells they are pretty cheap at the stores. Do some push ups, even using household things would work, like gallon of water, can of soups.
  • Hummingbird82
    Hummingbird82 Posts: 79 Member
    There are tons of strength training exercises you can do at home using your own body weight. Examples: Pushups, tricp pushups, lunges, squats. These are all strength exericses using your own body weight. If you have kettle bells you can use this by with compound exercises. I would google some strength exercises using kettle bells. Also,
    I highly recommend ANY of Jari Love's Get Ripped videos. She is amazing and I love doing her videos in the comfort of my own home. All you need is a set of light to medium hand weights as she does high reps. Hope this helps!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Improvise! :laugh:

    IMG_3836.jpg
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Improvise! :laugh:

    IMG_3836.jpg

    SHUT UP! *LMAO*
  • Nopedotjpeg
    Nopedotjpeg Posts: 1,805 Member
    Improvise! :laugh:

    IMG_3836.jpg

    That is awesome.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Bands would work. Especially if you can get them in various thickness
  • rammsteinsoldier
    rammsteinsoldier Posts: 1,552 Member
    The weight of the cat would put me over the top. That is a great picture!
  • Fit_and_Healthy
    Fit_and_Healthy Posts: 52
    Google "calisthenics"
  • MJ7910
    MJ7910 Posts: 1,280 Member
    get some free weights. do some weight videos... they do have a lot of good ones on amazon. lunges, squats with weights... lots of good ideas out there
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    I bought a bowflex on craigslist for $100; it's working really well for me. For less space/money, I hear great things about resistance bands.
  • swycoff17
    swycoff17 Posts: 50 Member
    Push ups are AMAZING for your body. So are planks. You can do squats, lunges, and calf raises with just your body weight. Same goes with tricep extensions (using your couch as the edge to lower your body) Wall sits also help to build leg muscles, and if you google ab work, you can find about 1,000,000 different ways to work your abs at home as well.
    You may need to do a lot of repetitions, but it does the job.
  • samanthakre
    samanthakre Posts: 26
    I use dumbbells and bench press with just the bar for now.

    If you 'browse all' in the exercise/strength training portion of mfp, you'll see a lot of exercises that can be done with dumbbells - just google them and see how to do them.

    That's how I got started strength training at home! ;)
  • Squidgeypaws007
    Squidgeypaws007 Posts: 1,012 Member
    Improvise! :laugh:

    IMG_3836.jpg

    LOVE the cat's face in this photo.....like omgwtf xD
  • srathfelder
    srathfelder Posts: 28
    Here is a you tube site with good instructional weight training videos.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1qLRlpxqwM
  • judybrim
    judybrim Posts: 82 Member
    Good for you for joining mfp and for working out at home! You can do amazing things at home and have fantastic results! I agree, there are so many excellent dvd's and so much info online to help you get going. I've used several of Jillian Michael's dvd's and have lost 45 lbs and 8" off my waist! Just do some research, read other people's reviews and you'll find something that will work for you! Have fun! It's great to work out at home - I love the time flexibility! Good luck and stay in touch with mfp! .... Judy :D
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    LOVE the cat's face in this photo.....like omgwtf xD

    I have seven cats and six litter boxes, and use clumping litter. The REAL strength training is cleaning those suckers!
  • chu604
    chu604 Posts: 353 Member
    Push-Ups
    Dips
    One arm bent over row or just a bent over row with two hands (kettle bell)
    Crunches
    Leg lifts
    Lunges
    Squats
    Stiff leg deadlifts & Single leg deadlifts (kettle bell)
    Supermans
    Planks
    Glute bridges
    Wall sits

    ** I dunno how heavy your kettlebell is or If you have more than one.

    You can really do alot just with a set of dumbbells or a good quality exercise band
    Lateral raises
    Rows
    Curls
    Chest & shoulder press
    Flys

    etc etc...
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Ok... So... I don't know if I should be posting a link to sparkpeople or not... but here it is anyway:

    http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/exercise_demos.asp?exercise_type=core

    They have examples of a bunch of different kinds of exercises for core, upper body, lower body, and stretches. Some use body weight, some use dumbells, some use resistance bands, and then some use other things like an exercise ball, medicine ball, etc. I'm sure you can find some with what you have.
  • jonski1968
    jonski1968 Posts: 4,490 Member
    Get yourself some resistance bands...The ones i use go up to 60lb...Numerous excercises you can use them for...Amazon uk around £14.00
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Hi there,

    I would like to incorporate some strength training into my exercise routine but don't have a gym membership so can't just do heavy lifting in machines.

    Any ideas for stuff I could do at home? Would doing some kettlebell training count as strength or is that still cardio? In case u hadn't already guessed I'm a newbie when it comes to exercise. LOL

    Pick a muscle, any muscle.

    In the list is body weight type exercises, as well as dumbbells, which water filled milk jugs can duplicate.
    And proper form in doing them.

    girls - http://www.exrx.net/Lists/WtFemale.html

    boys - http://www.exrx.net/Lists/WtMale.html
  • StacyBMe
    StacyBMe Posts: 30 Member
    Bump to read later :smile:
  • Claire594
    Claire594 Posts: 349 Member
    Thanks for all the great responses. The picture with the cat was class LOL. Getting lots of ideas now. I am doing jm 30 day shred. I didn't realise planks etc was strength training, d'oh.
  • plhv19
    plhv19 Posts: 46 Member
    bump
  • LittleElephant
    LittleElephant Posts: 106 Member
    Bump for ideas
  • zeepotafb
    zeepotafb Posts: 6
    I bought a used power rack and a barbell set from the craigslist at a huge discount and I don't miss a gym membership a single bit. I can save the time for the travel and waiting. And the cost was roughly a year's membership. If you don't have enough space, you can get a half rack.
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