No gear with weight-training?

[Nightporter]

Hello,

I know I post a lot of questions... I want to reassure that I always take a good gander before I post to make sure it hasn't already been posted.

I have been reading on here a good deal and it has been stressed many times that weight training is pretty much a must if you're going to exercise. I have decided to start but the problem is--I have no gear whatsoever.

... So I've put together a little routine of exercises I'm doing without gear. Right now, I'm doing push-ups, wall-ups (push ups off the wall LOL... Just something I made up) Situps, crunches, Lots of stretching (Is stretching as critical as most people make it out to be? I still want to stretch, but I just want to know the facts too.) and squatting.

To be honest, I don't know a lot of the terminology associated with weight training. (Such as a rep) What I do is try to do 10-15 of each thing, and add on a bit more if I'm not too worn out by it.

My question is--Am I doing a decent workout or is this kid stuff? Are there other muscles that I'm not using at all that I should use? And lastly, are there any other no-gear-necessary exercises I should add to this list?

I also wanted to mention a while ago I caught a topic where someone mentioned a website of exercises that you could do in the width of a small room (or something to that effect) If anyone could re-point me to the link I would appreciate it!

Thanks for putting up with my questions!

-N-

 

[maleficent]

try searching on body weight exercises -

and if you check the stickied threads... you'll find more info

Squats are going to give youo the most bang for your buck... as it engages multiple muscle groups... if you can do a pushup -there's no need for a wall pushup...

Lunges will also give you a lot of bang too...

 

[Steve]

Hello,

I know I post a lot of questions... I want to reassure that I always take a good gander before I post to make sure it hasn't already been posted.

I have been reading on here a good deal and it has been stressed many times that weight training is pretty much a must if you're going to exercise. I have decided to start but the problem is--I have no gear whatsoever.

You don't need to train with weights in order to exercise. I know a lot of people who exercise every single day, but they don't lift weights. It's all about what your goals are.

I think there are a lot of benefits associated with it, but that's another story.

... So I've put together a little routine of exercises I'm doing without gear. Right now, I'm doing push-ups, wall-ups (push ups off the wall LOL... Just something I made up) Situps, crunches, Lots of stretching (Is stretching as critical as most people make it out to be? I still want to stretch, but I just want to know the facts too.) and squatting.

1. Stretching is very important.

2. Go to this website, it will show you what you can do with little to no equipment:

Remember, you can make resistance by using gallon jugs full of sand/water, buy cheap bands, etc, etc. Resistance is resistance.

To be honest, I don't know a lot of the terminology associated with weight training. (Such as a rep) What I do is try to do 10-15 of each thing, and add on a bit more if I'm not too worn out by it.

That's a fine starting point. Once your body is accustomed to the execution of these exercises, you can start adding more sets. Right now you're doing 1 set of 10-15 reps for each movement.

You can progress down the road by adding sets.

My question is--Am I doing a decent workout or is this kid stuff?

Starting out, body weight is more than enough.

Are there other muscles that I'm not using at all that I should use?

You aren't really hitting your back. You can add in some rows with a gallon jug if you'd like. Again, check out that website I linked to above for more ideas.

 

[Nightporter]

Thanks to you both!

I was hoping that you both would jump in on this topic! I remember Maleficent back when I was on here the first time, and I have to say that you've come such a long way! Congrats on what you have accomplished! Between the time I left and when I come back, Steve joined, and being able to come back and read all of those sticke's and stuff has been a pleasant surprise! I've learned A LOT the past few weeks.

I will definitely check out that link you pointed me to. I still have to read a few pages on the 'Words of Wisom' thread. (I might be able to knock'em all out today... Benefits of it snowing a foot in the middle of April )

Maleficent--I do the 'wall-ups' because while I can do a push up, I can only do about 2 or 3 of them. ... On my knees, 7-10, and on the wall I can do about 25 or so... I'll keep doing them until I can get a decent number of regular push-ups in lol.

I'll be doing my best to expand the weight training with exercises and time. I'd do jumping jacks, but I'm in an apartment! hehe. I'll definitely be skipping rope when I get back home and have a yard!

Thank you both again,

-N-