Ever since the school year started, I have been doing most of my midweek strength workouts at home. I have the equipment necessary to do chest/shoulders/triceps (aka pushing) and legs but still don't have what I need to work my back. That would require a pull up bar and some TRX cables. So while I still schlep to Planet Fitness for pull ups, I have really been enjoying my early morning workouts at home.
Here's what I use:
- beach towel
- kettlebell (15 lbs- wish it were 20 lbs)
- piano bench (we have a weight bench downstairs but it's easier just to use this!)
- stability ball
- 15 lbs dumbbells
- 22.5 lb power block weights (We have a whole set downstairs.)
Good for more than just piano lessons!
Weird power block weights... I'm not a fan but they work for now.
These are the exercises I like to do to work my chest and legs:
Chest Press
Push Ups
Shoulder Press
Overhead Tricep Extension
Planks
Squats
Kettle Bell Swings
Backwards Lunges
Bulgarian Split Squats
Wall Sit
Obviously, there are all kinds of wonderful perks to working out at home!
1. Sleeping in! If I go to PF, I have to get up at 5:30 am. If I stay home, I can roll out of bed at 6:00 am.
2. Nancy Grace! There's nothing like hearing Nancy squawking in the background while I'm banging out some push ups.
3. Jelly! He's just beautiful, and that's the end of the story.
4. Hydrating with coffee! Do as I say, not as I do.
5. Showering at HOME. Although right now I bet the showers at the gym are cleaner than mine! It's on my weekend to do list, I promise.
Do you work out at home? What are the biggest perks?
Do you have any cool equipment you could recommend?
Yes. I work out at home. We have a garden level basement and I took over 1/2 of it for my workout room, art studio, yoga studio. I used to have a treadmill (had to get rid of it since running on it injures me). I have a rowing machine, a bike on a trainer, a bench with weights (a bench press bar and leg press/extensions), dumbells and a power tower (used for dips, pull ups, etc). We also moved our old big screen down there so Rick can do T-25 and I can watch stupid TV :) The only thing I need at home is a lap swimming pool. Not likely to happen in this lifetime but a girl can dream. I love the convenience and also that I get to see Rick when he wakes up and also that I don't have to schlep my stuff to the gym to get ready. I will get a gym membership for 6 months in the winter for snowy days when I still feel like running (they have an indoor track, elliptical, etc) but I am already kind of dreading that and mentally getting ready for those days...
ReplyDeleteWow you have quite the set up! I didn't know you had so much stuff at home. I never did a rowing machine but I would like to try it.
DeleteTry the rowing machine. Full.body.workout (and I happen to really enjoy cranking out 10-15 minutes post run/walk). Feels like it gives my back a nice stretch.
DeleteThe only times I work out at home are when I'm doing a Jillian Michaels video which is like 2 times per year :) One of the perks of living in a condo is having two gyms right here at home! I did have a treadmill once, but I wasn't a runner yet when I bought it so I never used it. It was one of those dumb "I'm going to start running" impulse purchases non-runners make! I eventually sold it and of course now I wish I still had it!
ReplyDeleteYou have an AWESOME perk. I really shouldn't complain since it takes literally 5 min to get to my gym. And it's on the way to work, so it's not even like I have to go out of my way.
DeleteI used to work out at home but now I need heavier weights. I do have dreams of furnishing a home gym as soon as I buy a house in the next few years - the good thing is strongman equipment actually isn't that expensive!
ReplyDeleteSince my surgery my legs have been so weak that it doesn't matter that I don't have really heavy weights. My left leg especially. There is a huge difference between the strength of my legs.
DeleteI do all of my strength training at home...if it were up to me to go to a gym, it wouldn't get done. I leave my weights and mat out in the middle of the living room and don't put it away until I do the workout--that is motivation for me right there!
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a good tactic! I get mine out the night before so I don't wake my hubby banging my weights around.
DeleteWorking out at home beats the gym any day. And I agree, Nancy sure does Sqwauk!
ReplyDeleteI know, I wish I had more weights so I could stay home every day!
DeleteI work out at home every day - it makes me happy!!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite pieces of equipment is my BOSU!
I knew yours would be the BOSU! :)
DeleteSurprisingly I DO workout at home more than I ever thought I would, lol. Lola really loves it and I like that I don't have to pack a ton of gear for gym showering. What are those power weight things???
ReplyDeleteThey're these weird weights called power blocks that you can adjust to weigh more or less. We bought them used off a friend. http://www.powerblock.com/
DeleteIf I'm not running I'm doing strength training at home. I feel much more comfortable here and it's easier to squeeze in a workout in between classes or work. One day I would like to join a gym but today is not that day :)
ReplyDelete