Fitness for free.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I am trying to set up a plan that will give me weight-loss, strength, tone and energy. I've already begun changing my diet for the better, but I've slacked on exercise since I don't have a workable plan.

I enjoy walking in my neighborhood, but it's not really the safest place for me to walk alone. Even if I take the dogs, my boyfriend is reluctant to send me out on my own and he doesn't enjoy walks.

I am thinking of things I can do in my home or in the yard that are cheap or free. I need aerobic exercise as well as weights. My goal is to be lean and toned without adding bulk.

I plan to purchase a couple of dumbbells (is that how you spell it!?).

Here's what I've thought of so far. I would apprecitate any feedback and suggestions.

• Use the front porch steps to do stair climbing (up, up, down, down kind of thing).
• Push Ups.
• Crunches.
• Jump Rope.
• Yoga postures for flexibility (any ideas on where to get good pictures for proper form?).
• Lunges.
• Tone arms with weights.

I am looking for a way to put it together and some kind of schedule that will facilitate my goals while not consuming too much time. This is the part where I get a little stuck. Should I just wing it or set up some sort of plan for each day, alternating, etc?

I plan to allocate 30 minutes in the morning.

Fire away folks. I am eager for your advice. Thanks!

[openeyes]

If I were looking for a solid workout I could do inside with not too much equipment I'd jump rope, do push ups, and get a chin-up bar for about $18 on Amazon.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

Fire away folks. I am eager for your advice. Thanks!

Have you checked out johnstonefitness.com?

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks guys.

openeyes, it's been a looonng time since I could do a chin-up (like high school)! Looks like that's a new goal too. Thanks for the reminder.

seeker, I will check out that site. I wasn't sure where to look online either (too many options -- which is good?). I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.

[Dan.Linehan]

My advice...

• Jump some rope.
  
• Work on improving your overhead press. This exercise has a lot of collateral effect all over your body.
  
• Buy yourself an ab wheel.
  
• Find a rock wall if there's one nearby. Make your friends go too.
  
• Do yoga (seriously.) Here are some poses and a couple videos.

Forget everything else..

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks, Dan. I am set on yoga too. Know any good videos.

Also, rock climbing sound fun, definitely. Might be a little pricey...I'll have to see what we've got here.

(The site with the overhead press is cool. Going to check that out further.)




*Is Squishy still alive?

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

My advice...

• Do yoga (seriously.)

Forget everything else..

Do you mean.......

# Do yoga in a serious manner with application and perserverance?

or

# Seriously, you must do yoga!



Apologies but I just hate ambiguity!!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I think he means the second. How well do I know Dan? We'll see.

[Angela]

Aspiring, you might also like pilates. It's got some of the relaxation, flexibility and strength training of yoga, and it makes me feel longer, taller, and often more exhiliarated than I do with yoga.

Try the Mari Winsor cd's; they're available on Amazon, they're easy and I find them fun. Don't bother to get the ones that require toys, though (circle, ball, springs, etc.; you don't need 'em. They're just extras.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Sounds great, Angela, thanks.

[NotesMaeve]

Have an exercise buddy if you can get one. My landlady is a biologist out in the field, and sometimes I go out with her and help on the weekends for fun. It's tiresome, but fun. Also love running and biking with Slamhot or doing yoga with my friend R. I admit, a couple days a week, exercising alone can be a blessed relief.

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Do you mean.......

# Do yoga in a serious manner with application and perserverance?

or

# Seriously, you must do yoga!



Apologies but I just hate ambiguity!!

LOL

# Seriously, you must do yoga!


**I throw the "seriously" in because I grew up in Ohio, where everyone makes fun of yoga.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

LOL

# Seriously, you must do yoga!


**I throw the "seriously" in because I grew up in Ohio, where everyone makes fun of yoga.

Ahhhhh!

Been meaning to try it out myself.

[FreelanceWanderer]

Aspiring, could you hire a trainer for an hour or two just to develop a workout you can do at home? That way you can be sure to get a total workout that's customized to your needs. My trainer worked up a workout that uses only exercise bands and my own bodyweight for my vacation this month...bicep curls, squats, planks, side planks, dips, etc.

FW

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks, FW. That might be a viable option. I will have to look into it.

[Amandaaa]

have you checked out FitTV?


they offer a lot of different workouts that you can do from the comfort of your own home.

(when i'm in the mood, i like to do Gilad: Cardio Kickboxing, "Shimmy," and Namaste Yoga: Extended Leg Balancing.)




and Angela already mentioned it, but pilates is amazing.
i'm getting kind of tired of it, because i've been doing it for like 7 years...but if you've never done it before, then you'll probably love the results. it really improves my overall mood, too.

i like Jennifer Kries' pilates/ballet mix.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks, Amandaaa. I feel like I've got some great resources here. I'm getting pretty pumped!

[Angela]

Ha! Gratitude burns calories.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Sweet! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.......

[Angela]

Don't you feel leaner and stronger and more supple already?

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Hehehehe. I actually feel much better...THANK YOU!

[Angela]

STOP! You're getting emaciated! You want to end up with a thanking disorder?

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Certainly not. Everything in moderation. Than...

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Hey, guys, I am bumping this thread because I received a mailer today about a new fitness center opening down the street from me. They have a plan for $19.99 per month with no start up fee and a one year contract term. There is an annual fee of $39.00.

This seems like a very reasonable price to me (much lower than what I've seen elsewhere). I am quite tempted to join. They open at 5:00 am, so I could go before work easily.

Does anyone have experience with Planet Fitness? Thoughts?

[mopDog]

Not to redirect your new interest, but if you are interested in martial arts there is something called the Bas Rutten MMA (mixed martial arts) workout. It's an audio program, 28 minutes of nonstop work - shadow boxing, knees, push ups, abs (I use an ab wheel), body weight squats, lunges, and more. I've been doing it 3x a week and it does definitely burn fat and build and tone muscle. I woudn't want to try it before work though, I usually do it after work..

[Lola]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

Hey, guys, I am bumping this thread because I received a mailer today about a new fitness center opening down the street from me. They have a plan for $19.99 per month with no start up fee and a one year contract term. There is an annual fee of $39.00.

This seems like a very reasonable price to me (much lower than what I've seen elsewhere). I am quite tempted to join. They open at 5:00 am, so I could go before work easily.

Does anyone have experience with Planet Fitness? Thoughts?

Nope. Don't know them. But go check it out live and in person - more than once. Or better yet - see if you can negotiate a trial membership for a couple of weeks. The gym I'm currently going to had a similar offer when they first opened and I joined after one quick tour.

Overall, for the price, I guess it's ok but I have some gripes. They only open at 5:00 if the person who's opening at 5:00 shows up for work on time. Otherwise you're waiting. The treadmills break down frequently. Sometimes I pop in for a quick workout and can't get on a machine because 75% of them are out of order. They don't have enough shower space for busy traffic times (right after work, for example). It's frequently too hot in the workout area due to keeping the air down to cut costs, especially if I go at an off-time (which I like to do). And, biggest gripe, they're not open on Sundays, which somehow escaped my notice when signing up for a year.

On the plus side, I love that they have infrared saunas which are almost always available. And I like the classes which are usually not too crowded and have good instructors.

[FreelanceWanderer]

Aspiring, I belong to Planet Fitness. (Though my membership is only about $10 per month! Watch for specials.) I really like it, but be aware that it's pretty bare-bones: No pool, racquetball courts, sauna, etc. They have just cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. Planet Fitness facilities tend to be clean and non-scary for exercise newbies. They also have trainers, and when you sign up you should get a free session; the trainer will show you how to use the machines and draw up a workout that meets your needs.

I hope that helps!

FW

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks, Lola and FW for the input on gyms. I noticed they don't have a great deal of extras there, but I don't really need any of those things. I can also get a $10.00 per month membership which I may do, but the other one has a few benefits. I am weighing them now. I am pretty sure I may go this route because I hate to waste money, so if I am paying for it I am more likely to go.

The one big deal would be making sure they are open when they say because that's the big draw for me, to do it before work. I tend to be too tired and busy after work.

Thanks to mopDog too, that sounds great. Maybe I will incorporate that for a switch up.

Thanks all for helping me sort this out. Helps to bounce ideas off of you guys.

[health4all]

Hi, what a great thread, so many good ideas for low-cost weight loss resources.
Here's one to add: if you are having trouble sticking with it, check out Weightcircles - Weight loss support site with free membership -- it's a social network for people losing weight, and it's totally free. You could keep using this site and that one as well - it's different, gives you a place to blog and put up pictures, etc.
Good luck!

[Freelancer]

Have you considered shovelglove?

Its a nice full body work out and all you need is time,dedication a sledgehammer and an old sweater.