Workout without weights - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Lawn Furniture · 12-01-2004, 08:14 AM

Dilemma...
I don't have ready or easy access to a gym or weights. So I'd like to ask whether it's possible to stay in good shape by just doing weightless excercises such as: pushups, curls, lunges etc... and cardio by running and jump rope.

I'm considering doing this now that I have less time for a gym and no room for a weight room in the house, any info or input would help (esp in the area of reps for such a routine)

Thanks fer the time

sailor · 12-01-2004, 08:17 AM

Absolutely. If you can get a pyramid workout going with pushups, crunches, and pullups, along with running, you can stay in damn good shape. You may not be as big as if you had access you weights, but you'll certainly be in much better shape.

dman2 · 12-01-2004, 08:26 AM

Yes you can. I have tried this before and it works. Try this. For example, for biceps, use a bar of or other object and do the motion of a bicep curl. Tense, not strain the muscle as if you are lifting a much heavier weight. Do this both while curling up and down for resistance. It sounds funny but after doing this for several sets, you will feel as if you had actual weights. I have not taken pilates or tai chi but I think this is similar. (I don't mind being corrected if the last statement isn't true.) Anyway, if you are concentrating on the motion of the exercise and doing it slow and controlled, you will get results. You can also do quick reps with a light weight or quick push ups, but the key is to watch your form!! Keep proper form when doing ANY exercise and you should start seeing results.
I thinks it's great that you are dedicated enough to want to work out without having weights. I know it is hard sometimes to go to the gym where I have access to weights and equipment for every part of my body. Keep working out,running,etc. Your main focus should be keeping fit no matter what the cost, which by posting this thread, I can see you are.
Ideally, weights are usually the preferred method of working out but you have use what you have.

Lawn Furniture · 12-02-2004, 09:06 AM

Thanks guys, your input is much appreciated.
The hardest part about working out is access to equipment for me, so this solution seems to be the best. Honestly, I'm not looking for bigness just physical well being and this seemed an ideal solution for me.

At the moment I'm doing 20-30reps and 3 sets of each om conjugation with 30-40mins of cardio, which is really more difficult than it seems.

Stay fresh

Nazggul · 12-02-2004, 11:05 AM

Look into getting some Thera-band products to add some resistance in as well. All you need is a post or something to tie it around and there are numerous wightless exercises you can add to your program which increase resistance.

thingstodo · 12-02-2004, 06:13 PM

A pullup bar is great for back and reverse grip for bis. Also, do the reps very slowing to enhance the pain, uh, I mean benefits.

Rodney · 12-04-2004, 08:10 PM

Pushups are seen largely as a chest and shoulder exercise, but you can hit different body parts by varying the distance between your hands. If you spread plant your arms wide to left and right, you involve your back muscles as well as your chest. When your arms are at medium width, most of the emphasis is on the chest and delts. And if you do pushups with your hands placed close together -- hard to balance, I know -- you can hit the triceps pretty hard.

gh0ti · 12-05-2004, 05:44 AM

I'm a big fan of weights myself. But quite a few professional athletes claim to work out with out them.

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/articl...-2-2-2,00.html

Quote:

Running back Herschel Walker claimed pushups were his only muscle-building exercise, and he won a Heisman Trophy and gained more than 13,000 yards in two professional football leagues. Outfielder Ted Williams did 50 to 100 fingertip pushups a day, and he was the Barry Bonds of his era. The great boxers--Marciano, Ali, Foreman--did pushups by the hundreds.

12-01-2004, 08:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lawn Furniture Upright	Workout without weights Dilemma... I don't have ready or easy access to a gym or weights. So I'd like to ask whether it's possible to stay in good shape by just doing weightless excercises such as: pushups, curls, lunges etc... and cardio by running and jump rope. I'm considering doing this now that I have less time for a gym and no room for a weight room in the house, any info or input would help (esp in the area of reps for such a routine) Thanks fer the time

12-01-2004, 08:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Absolutely. If you can get a pyramid workout going with pushups, crunches, and pullups, along with running, you can stay in damn good shape. You may not be as big as if you had access you weights, but you'll certainly be in much better shape. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

12-01-2004, 08:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
dman2 Insane Location: Georgia	Yes you can. I have tried this before and it works. Try this. For example, for biceps, use a bar of or other object and do the motion of a bicep curl. Tense, not strain the muscle as if you are lifting a much heavier weight. Do this both while curling up and down for resistance. It sounds funny but after doing this for several sets, you will feel as if you had actual weights. I have not taken pilates or tai chi but I think this is similar. (I don't mind being corrected if the last statement isn't true.) Anyway, if you are concentrating on the motion of the exercise and doing it slow and controlled, you will get results. You can also do quick reps with a light weight or quick push ups, but the key is to watch your form!! Keep proper form when doing ANY exercise and you should start seeing results. I thinks it's great that you are dedicated enough to want to work out without having weights. I know it is hard sometimes to go to the gym where I have access to weights and equipment for every part of my body. Keep working out,running,etc. Your main focus should be keeping fit no matter what the cost, which by posting this thread, I can see you are. Ideally, weights are usually the preferred method of working out but you have use what you have. __________________ I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing. ~Marsha Doble Last edited by dman2; 12-01-2004 at 08:30 AM..

12-02-2004, 11:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
Nazggul Psycho Location: San Francisco	Look into getting some Thera-band products to add some resistance in as well. All you need is a post or something to tie it around and there are numerous wightless exercises you can add to your program which increase resistance. __________________ "If something has to give then it always will." -- Editors

12-02-2004, 06:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	A pullup bar is great for back and reverse grip for bis. Also, do the reps very slowing to enhance the pain, uh, I mean benefits. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

12-02-2004, 09:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lawn Furniture Upright	Thanks guys, your input is much appreciated. The hardest part about working out is access to equipment for me, so this solution seems to be the best. Honestly, I'm not looking for bigness just physical well being and this seemed an ideal solution for me. At the moment I'm doing 20-30reps and 3 sets of each om conjugation with 30-40mins of cardio, which is really more difficult than it seems. Stay fresh

12-04-2004, 08:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Pushups are seen largely as a chest and shoulder exercise, but you can hit different body parts by varying the distance between your hands. If you spread plant your arms wide to left and right, you involve your back muscles as well as your chest. When your arms are at medium width, most of the emphasis is on the chest and delts. And if you do pushups with your hands placed close together -- hard to balance, I know -- you can hit the triceps pretty hard.