Home Gym Recommendations
 

I want to use weights, etc... during the winter months to help build up muscle/strength, upper body strength. I'm 55. Nothing to expensive, just some basic equipment. I was thinking some sort of a weight bench with leg raise, maybe the perfect push-up. Any suggestions? Thank you

You can do an AWFUL lot with inexpensive stretch bands, your own body weight, a fitness ball and regularity of exercise. There are manuals and guides available on the internet. Planks, pushups, bridges, wall squats, body dips (you can do them on a chair), pullups (some pipe between some rafters in the basement/garage), crunches - (check out George Forman's technique - it is best).

Beyond that, some barbells, but they have gone up in price lately.

The major problem is motivation and keeping it up.

There are also stretch tubes, which I think are a bit better.

Yes, motivation. I forgot about bands. I do have some 10# barbells. I'll have to go into a sporting goods store and see whats available. Thanks for the info. I'll check out George Foreman's technique.

I agree with everything Denver said. I would add, a good mix of music you love on your iPod. I find music really motivates me.

If you have a space to do it, TRX is an amazing strength work out. A ceiling height of 8 ft is required if you hard mount it. Buy the pack with the door kit if you decide to try it. It is tough so not for everyone.

http://www.trxtraining.com/

Start with a daily dose of good old P.T.: pushups, crunches, pull-ups and running.

Ten bucks will get you a good set of construction site/junk yard equipment: a couple buckets & some sand, a few feet of rope and a couple old tires, a length of pipe and half a dozen concrete blocks. Use your imagination, set a bunch of goals (reps, days, weeks) and if you motivate yourself to stick with it... buy a couple sacks of concrete!
You'll be amazed what you can do without spending a bunch of money. Your body will get as tough as your mind -- and you won't empty your wallet or have expensive equipment taking up space.

A single 20lb dumbell, and I don't mean a 120lb dumbell.

I've been working out for years and have found these powerblocks to be the most useful and least hassle http://www.powerblock.com/Classicseries.php

Marc

Maybe more than you want to spend, but if you have the room, a rack and Olympic weight set can be had for under $1000, perhaps way under if you can find them used (many people have expensive clothes racks). IMO, nothing beats it for versatility. For doing squats it's almost a must.

Not going to turn you into Charles Atlas but I really like the Total Gym for staying in shape over the winter. Info Mercials are lame but the thing does what they say it will. I have the most basic system. Got it from Sears on sale. http://tvgyms.com/total-gym?KID=2706...Fcnb4AodU030yw

My indoor core/resistance workouts assigned by my coach uses simple equipment yet still kicks my but. I use a chin up bar, big stability ball, 8 and 10# medicine balls, a couple dumbbells, Bocce ball and a 6' step ladder. I have do do various pullups with the palms in and out with the legs at an "L", various pushups (close, normal and wide) while balanced with a medicine ball under each hand and under each foot, lateral raises with the dumbbells while kneeling on the stability ball, squats while standing on 1 then 2 medicine balls, crunches on the bocce ball, squats with various hand and arm positions while standing on an upside down bocce bal,l and pushups (narrow, normal and wide grip) with my feet as high up on the step ladder as possible. There is a whole lot of pain derived from a small amount of $ in equipment.

You should avoid the leg raise thingy. It can strain the knee.

do what you want to do.

Weights are good, I have a few. Bands are great, I have a bunch.
I have a rowing machine I really like. You could try spinning classes or Crossfit
or laps in the pool.

Best exercise is the one you'll actually do.

I have the two largest Superbands. I cut them to use as straps.
I stand on them and do squats and deadlifts.
http://www.performbetter.com/detail....tegoryID_E_281

Hey, Chuck Norris uses a "Total Gym". So, it must be the way to go. :innocent:

Actually, my oldest son uses this and finds it very adaptable to almost any fitness routine you want.

I think DnvrFox summed it right on the money, can't add anything to that. Motivation will always be the key ingredient. BTW, if you engage in push ups, DnvrFox and I will to keep an eye on you. You cannot exceed DnvrFox or I in reps. :D If you do, you will be blacklisted! :D :D :D

Push ups are old school. Evolve! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkHvVT70m6s

+1 added advantage is it is portable and light, and you can take it anywhere (works great in hotel rooms)

train safe-