Getting started at home..

M

Maverick

0
The scenerio.,,

I'm looking to improve overall health/physique. I don't have the motivation to go to the gym nor do I like exercising outside unless I'm walking the golf course. ;)

I currently own push-up bars and jump rope but I think I really need a treadmill to get the overall effect of a true cardio workout. I know I wouldn't have a problem using a treadmill in the basement in front of the T.V.. :) Can you get a decent treadmill for around 1K? or do you think skipping rope for 15 minutes and doing pushups/sit-ups is a comparable workout? I need some type of outline for getting started and just a little uncertain how to go about it...

thanks for any replies..
 
The way I see it, if you cant do cardio outside, a TV isnt going to make a difference.

The fact of the matter is, most people buy treadmills/gym memberships/home gyms and stop using them 30 days later, maybe less. Get yourself into an outdoor cardio routine for a couple of months before you go out and buy a treadmill, if for no other reason than making sure your going to use the thing.

When your panting your ass off, the TV isnt that interesting. ;)

All personal opinion of course. Personally, if you really want the treadmill, just head out to a few places and see whats available for your budget and pick the one with the best feature set.
 
This sounds like a very half-hearted new yr fitness regime plan that will fizzle out by mid january...

To start with, do some exercise you enjoy doing!
And dont buy a treadmill, these hamster wheels are a joke. Try running up and down the stairs if you dont wanna go out.
 
i hate exercising out doors no matter if its frigid, hot or beautiful. but it sounds like a treadmil isnt gonna really get you going on a good program. know any personal trainers? :) jumping rope is great, combined with crunches, pushups, pull ups, lunges and what not you should have a decent beginer program. but i think based on what your post says and your motivation right now, you should try and work with what you have, then if that goes well and you see that you are being consistant with your routine, then reward yourself with a treadmil. if you find yourself giving up in a few weeks you might kick yourself for that grand spent.
 
Keeping motivated

Most people work out in a gym to get motivated, although some are just there to socialize. I must admit that being in a gym helps motivation, but after getting in shape there, I've found it easier to maintain the exercise routine on my own. I vary my routine to keep it interesting. Sometimes I ride up steep hills in high gear on my bike to pump up my wind. Other times I will do chin-ups with a weight strapped to me on my home chin-up bar. A local park has vertical bars I like to use for dips occasionally. Just doing simple pushups and isometric exercises has kept me in top condition, and I look as good or better than anyone working out in the local Holme's place.

Yochanan
 
You couldn't pay me enough to work out in a commercial gym.To me, it is like going to the circus because there is so much crazy stuff going on; the guy doing curls in the squat rack, the two yuppies seated on the leg extension and leg curl machines alternating 5 minutes of conversation with 1 set of leg work, the guy who has 2,000 pounds loaded up on the leg press and moves the platform maybe 6 inches while screaming like someone is squashing his testicles, and the steroid laden guys who strut around flexing and attempting to intimidate people with their pharmacuetical-induced size.I'll take the sanctuary of my patio and limited equipment any day.

Maverick,

As has already been suggested, I would hold off on the treadmill and focus instead on some type of circuit training utilizing your jump rope and bodyweight exercises; squats, lunges, burpees, mountain climbers, push-ups, pull ups, sit-ups, etc.Build your base.



Matt
 
I really hate the gym too. to many weirdo's makes me uncomfortable. esp when they call you names.. ahh home is good..
 
Working Out at Home is Better

I'm glad to see you are interested in improving your strength, conditioning and fitness levels.

Here are my thoughts...

Don't join a gym... most of them will put you on a program that fits their needs not yours.

Quite frankly, if you are interested in becoming an overall better human being suited for the successful completion of physical tasks with excellence... a gym will only be a distraction.

Gyms notoriously only use workouts that improve muscle growth and aerobic capacity... while completely ignoring the other physical abilities needed for physical fitness.

Is it any wonder that the drop out rate is astronomical?

Don't buy any equipment... yet.

You have everything you need to get an excellent workout right now.

I always advocate starting any physical training program with bodyweight / calisthenics exercises first and then adding equipment as the need arises.

If you are concerned about getting a good "cardio" workout using these types of exercises you should consider blurring the lines between your strength and conditioning exercises.

The point is this... prove to yourself that you are going to stick with the physical training before you spend any money.

Then, once your physical training becomes part of your lifestyle, buy equipment as needed to keep the variety coming and your interest up.

Coach Lomax
 
coachlomax said:
Don't join a gym... most of them will put you on a program that fits their needs not yours.
Click to expand...


Unfortunate but true and this is exactly why I quit as a personal trainer.They want you to run your clients through a circuit of machines and then give them a quick kick in the ass towards the door so the next batch of "customers" can enjoy similar treatment.Totally ridiculous when you consider what most gyms charge for personal training.
 
jen people call you names at the gym? what gym did you go to? i have never heard of such a thing at any of the gyms ive trained at, thats just not right.
 
yep the men at the gym i was going to use to call me an animal. working out at home is better, although with out a spotter or racks (yay sawhorses tomorrow) the amount i lift is pitiful, considering i can carry a 250lbs patient and equipment up and down 4 flights of stairs. i feel like a whimp.lol . but the whole calling me an animal has really put me off the gym. :(
 
Inside or outside? Gym or home? Bottom line is if you don't love it you'll eventually stop. Working out doesn't have to be dull. We post a scaled workout every day and answer questions by email or on our site. Take a look at it here.

If its not for you find something that is.
Here are some of our kids working out (inside and out).
 
Yup, I've been off break for two weeks from the university and while I missed the power rack, I sure had a hell of a time going into the back yard and using my old cement weights. It was almost as good as having bumper plates--I could just drop the damn weight if it was going up.

If I could have all the equipment I wanted, I'd only have three things-a power rack, a glute-ham raise machine, and a line up of bumper plates.
 
Sooo complex!!! how about those lift weight according to thier interests??? why dont you have your own interest up there? we are quite different as long as strength, weight to handle, types of exercise ones like and so on...... but is it impossible to find people with common interest, capacity.......workout in the gym? My suggestion is, gym is the right place!!!! Something has to be clear here and that is GYM too differs on how clients are handled up there . [sorry about my poor english]
 
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Riddic, what a couple of us are saying is that there is some merit to working out outside. I admit that I love the power rack at my university because I've spent so long working out of it that it's very comfortable to me. But there was a completely different feeling when working out outside. I believe (weather barring) that working out outside has a greater benefit to it than being shut up inside...but that's just a personal opinion.
 
awesome advice.

Thanks for the replies. Exactly the type of advice I was looking for.


I was just a little concerned that home exercises/body weight exercises couldn't get the heart rate up enough for a good sweat. Perhaps I just haven't done the right things to accomplish that.


My opinion about gyms..
I grew up with those home sand weights and working out in a small high school weight room and never was sold on the 'gym membership' atmosphere. Eight years ago I had a membership to the local city fitness club and was distracted by the crowds and socializing. I used it for a good 6 months but I haven't done much since but never considered myself in 'bad shape' until I got some recent comments from my buddies back home about my deskjob and getting a 'soft-shape'..


Anyway,,I'm going to hold off with the treadmill and just start with my limited equipment to build up my basics like most of you suggest and see how that goes. I do have the motivation,,, I'm getting married in Sept. :)

Thanks again.
 
Can't get your heart rate up with bodyweight exercises? Try this one 5 pull ups-10 push ups-15 squats, how many rounds can you do in 20 minutes? (a CrossFit benchmark workout) The best I've seen is 37 rounds. Try it and let me know if you need anymore cardio. :p
Best of luck to you, keep us posted on your progress.
 
evolution said:
Riddic, what a couple of us are saying is that there is some merit to working out outside. I admit that I love the power rack at my university because I've spent so long working out of it that it's very comfortable to me. But there was a completely different feeling when working out outside. I believe (weather barring) that working out outside has a greater benefit to it than being shut up inside...but that's just a personal opinion.
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Yah on that side I completely agree with you. thanks for making that clear to me. I real enjoy this.
 
I think most of what needs to be said has, so I'll refrain from saying anything other than congratulations on the upcoming marriage and I wish you well of it.
 
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