Your home the gymnasium

leila lozano, germany — Wed, 09 May 2007 11:46:24 GMT

excellent stuff - do send me these all the time.
they are great, helpful stuff for us average beings...
thank you all of you with your efforts to educate ordinary men and women become forever fit.
sincerely, leila
email address: leilalozano@hotmail.com

Your home the gymnasium

SANDY PHARO, CARROLLTON, TX — Wed, 09 May 2007 16:09:10 GMT

Kathy - I am extremely impressed with this new and convenient way for us to hopefully be more dedicated to "becoming and staying FIT"!! Sounds like a WIN-WIN situation........IF we can stay away from our tempting kitchen!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us !!

Your home the gymnasium

David Dickeson, Port St. Lucie, Florida — Wed, 09 May 2007 18:47:12 GMT

I have been exercising for 21 years. I teach people how to exercise in their home with even less equipment, and more important; less time. This article was very good and accurate. BUT.... the exercises do not allow for any considerable increase in weightlifting. For an exercise program to really work, you need aerobics, stretching, weightlifting, and diet/nutrition.

Your home the gymnasium

Duane, Topeka — Wed, 09 May 2007 19:47:18 GMT

I exercise when I can. But I eat to many corn dogs but they taste good. But I exercise when I can. I'm a I found running good. I try to get to my gyms but it is hard some times but I don't each as much McDonald's anymore since I stopped going so much. It's good to have exercises at homes because it's more cheaper and right there. I found running good and not when it's cold out when there's snow. We should have more work out regimens in this country like we do here but not with all the hard ones.

Your home the gymnasium

Jessica Christine Wasilla Ak. — Wed, 09 May 2007 22:44:45 GMT

Jessica- happy to hear that there are some stuff to do at home, I normaally walk 6 miles a day while pushing a stroller. But it has been raining for a few days out here, gotta excerice a little, Will give it a try sounds fun,

Your home the gymnasium

Jack Kennely, Sterling Heights, MI — Thu, 10 May 2007 01:48:51 GMT

Jack- I so impress with the work-out that me and my firlfriend no longer go to the gym. It saves me money and the time spend with her is great. Plus, she likes the way I am starting look. Thanks and keep the tips coming

Your home the gymnasium

rita,nashville,tn — Thu, 10 May 2007 01:58:01 GMT

Your home the gymnasium

Caroline,Bacolod,Philippines — Thu, 10 May 2007 02:21:43 GMT

Thanks for this new work out! I've been planning to enroll in the gym but if this works out I don't need to go to the gym and save a lot of time and money.

Your home the gymnasium

chitty, hongkong — Thu, 10 May 2007 04:33:45 GMT

i just love this. i want to keep fit. i dont have the money for gym membership or even enough to buy used equipment. these kind of suggestions are very good. this way i can get fit when no one is at home. thank you very much for this very useful idea. this is also useful when we have torrential rains and cannot step out of the home. thanks again.

Your home the gymnasium

Raygirl from Utah — Thu, 10 May 2007 05:52:43 GMT

Because I work at a prison, I am always amazed at how in shape the male inmates stay with no equipment at all. They do the types of exercises described above, using garbage bags filled with water, and other creative things. However, the one thing they have is time, and lots of it. The last thing most people want to do at home is exercise and at a gym, there is nothing else distracting you. But if you don't work and are motivated to stay in shape, I know it it works because it works for the inmates!

Your home the gymnasium

Hailey, Grande Prairie Alberta — Thu, 10 May 2007 09:38:56 GMT

I am going to try this some day hopefully i loose my fat stomach and get a sext toned stomached. And my fat thighs are toned and sexy. And i will look good in a bikini. And lose weight all over.

Your home the gymnasium

Angel, New York — Thu, 10 May 2007 12:14:34 GMT

Nothing is working out the chest and back muscles. Does anybody know any home workouts for these muscles?

Your home the gymnasium

Della, Mantua, NJ — Thu, 10 May 2007 13:17:49 GMT

These exercises are great. I hired a personal trainer 2 months ago and these are the exercises we do. He uses no special equipment only my body weight as resistance. As I get better at each one he ups the routine to more reps or increases the weights, which you can easily do at home. While I need the discipline of a trainer, these exercises are a great way to do the same thing without the expense.

Your home the gymnasium

bob jablonski, alegheny — Thu, 10 May 2007 13:43:03 GMT

Angel
Push ups (if more advanced... put your feet on an elevated surface and do push ups) for the chest
For the back, lie flat on your stomach and raise your right hand and left foot simultaneously...hold for a few second then switch

Your home the gymnasium

Bruce Camire, Scarborough, ME — Thu, 10 May 2007 14:34:01 GMT

Your home the gymnasium

SallyB — Thu, 10 May 2007 15:08:28 GMT

You can buy some very inexpensive fitness equipment and do a fairly balanced workout at home in 20 minutes. You will need a set of resistance bands, ankle weights and small hand-weights, and none of this will run you more than, say, $30-$40 total.

Using this equipment that can be easily stored in a very small space (especially if you live in a tiny apartment like I do), you can get fit quickly and easily and save yourself an expensive gym membership and a commute to get there.

I work out with my physical therapist who is also a fitness trainer in a small (and very inexpensive) class he holds in the PT facility where I had my knee rehabbed last year. It also happens to be within easy walking distance of my apartment. We do mostly resistance training but we do other stuff as well.

We do cardio, upper body, lower body and abs, all in one hour each week. I also have some home workouts that he gave me using the above described equipment that I can do in my home during my free time. All of this has resulted in my losing 20 pounds and keeping it off permanently. I got through our normally harsh winters without the usual 15-20 pound weight gain!

Get fit, America! Off your butts, off the couch and workout for better health!

Your home the gymnasium

Tim Walsh, Boston, MA — Thu, 10 May 2007 15:25:01 GMT

If anyone thinks that this workout is going to take them from overweight and weak to being lean and fit, they are sorely mistaken. I guess that's a relative thing, but if you find this workout effective for making progress, then you have a much longer way to go than you think. If someone is serious about getting into really good shape without a gym membership, they're going to have to commit to running 20-30 miles a week outside, and doing things like weighted pushups, pullups, dips, etc. Maybe invest in a barball, at least, for some deadlifts and overhead pressing. It's very possible to get a body worthy of being on a magazine cover from working out at home, but this is not the program to get you there.

Your home the gymnasium

Martha Lloyd, Cleveland, Ohio — Thu, 10 May 2007 15:42:18 GMT

Your home the gymnasium

Marian Mansilla, Anaheim, California — Thu, 10 May 2007 15:48:22 GMT

You don't need a Bowflex, do you?

Your home the gymnasium

K.K., Waterbury, Vermont — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:00:45 GMT

Well, Tim, that sounds great....but 20-30 miles of running a week? I don't believe that the average Joe (or Jane) is capable of doing this! I don't think any of us believe that we will EVER have a body that is worthy of being on a magazine cover, but if we can become focused on living a more healthy lifestyle and work on getting more toned and fit, that's a huge bonus. Any exercise is better than NO exercise, right?

Your home the gymnasium

Nick, Davis, CA — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:04:11 GMT

Additionally for a slight investment, it is easy to make a pull-up bar/ bar-dip combination outdoors as a supplement. And because these exercises can be done in a short period of time (5-10 minutes), it is possible to brave the cold and do them in the winter. The pull-up bar can be made with two 4"X4"X10' (or longer depending on your height) of lumber (posts), preferably pressure treated, and a 4' length of pipe (3/4" diameter). Drill a hole, slightly larger than the diameter of the pipe, about 2 inches from the end of each piece of 4"X4" and place the pipe through each hole, keeping the posts separated by about 3 feet. This makes the pull-up unit. Now dig two holes outside 2 ft deep and 3 ft. apart. It is best not to make the holes too much wider than the posts. I used the tip of a machete to chop out the soil, kind of like chipping away at a large block of ice. I removed the soil by hand as I chopped. When you have the desired depth, lift the unit upright and insert the two posts in the respective holes, and adjust the level of the bar by raising or lowering a post. Fill in the soil, packing it as you fill it. There is no need for cement. The same can be done to make bar-dip bars. I usually make these wherever I live and find them to be a nice addition for my exercise regime. Although it may take a day to complete this project, it is well worth it.

Another way to break up the monotony, in addition to varying your hand placement when doing push-ups, is to vary where you place the stress when pushing, such as the pad near the thumb, or the outside edge of your hand. You will feel different areas of the arm being worked as you vary the placement of the stress.

A more advanced exercise to do at home is one legged deep knee bends. Hold on to a table edge, elevate the inside leg slightly off of the ground and squat as deep as possible on the outside leg, and return to the upright position. Just use the table for balance, do not push off on it because then you will take the work away from your leg. This requires some practice and eventually, when you get your balance, you can do it without holding on to the table.

And there are toe raises that can be done off of a block of wood. Again, varying placement of the stress(inside edge of the foot, outside edge of the foot) will work different areas of the calf muscle.

Hope this helps.

Your home the gymnasium

Tim Walsh, Boston, MA — Thu, 10 May 2007 20:57:11 GMT

K.K., you're right, something is better than nothing. But if you just want to look and feel a LITTLE better, then the fastest way to get there is taking the same path as the one that gets you to the magazine-cover figure. I'd rather commit to working 100% for a few months and reach my goal than give a 20% effort for years and NEVER get there.

By the way, I don't think working up to running 20 miles a week (or biking/swimming the equivalent) is impossible for the average person. I'm sure the average person can find about 40 minutes a day.

The hard part for anyone is just making the commitment to stick with it (especially in the diet area). But it just depends on your priorities.

Tim

Your home the gymnasium

Ambrosio M. Rodriguez — Fri, 11 May 2007 02:53:53 GMT

This is great. This kind of stuff is needed by people who are busy and can hardly find the time for fitness activities. Congratulations for coming up with innovations like this one. I now have a good alternative for the gym trips. Thank you.

Your home the gymnasium

Jimmie Rageuradsez — Fri, 11 May 2007 05:58:01 GMT

This is a good workout if you don't workout at all like the typical extremely sedentary, overweight and unhealthy American. To get in good shape (to be even a moderately decent (very amateur) athlete, you need quite a bit more, but since the avg person is SOOO fat and out of shape, just doing this will, sadly, put you in the average fitness range I would guess. But shoot, for some people, just not huffing and puffing carrying groceries up a flight of stairs is a huge advancement. But watch "Biggest Loser" to see how to actually make a serious difference...be careful to eat well and work out as much as you can possibly make time for (if you've already taken years to slowly get yourself fat, you have to put in some time to reverse it). Good luck and keep it up, everyone! The more you exercise, the more energy you will have. It's hard to believe when you are tired after work, but if you just freaking do it, your energy will return. Humans are designed to work much harder and longer than most of us do, and we can easily do much more exercise and look and feel much better than most of us do. It's just a choice to be the best you can be, I guess. Or, just hit the McD's drive through and watch TV. Your choice, fellow fat, sick Americans.

Your home the gymnasium

Katty Spark — Fri, 11 May 2007 12:09:04 GMT

Open your eyes! Average people don't run 20 miles a week and don't buy gym memberships, but can do with a 15-min exercise a day. And that's okay, if you are not eating unhealthy food, not smoking and not drinking or drinking occasionally.
PS I am not an American and I am not fat.

Your home the gymnasium

Alice Lee — Sun, 13 May 2007 02:40:26 GMT

Your home the gymnasium

Cathy, Clovis, NM — Tue, 15 May 2007 23:24:48 GMT

I think these are pretty good exercises, since I just spent some money on 3 and 5-lb. weights and a big rubber ball (pump included). I took a class called Body Sculpting at the local community college for only $52 but we are between sessions now for a month. These home exercises are a good start but if you need a schedule and motivation, take a class. It is working for me! After 3.5 months I am wearing jeans I could not fit in for years. And I stopped watching TV.
Can't wait til the next class starts!

Your home the gymnasium

Laurel, Portland, Oregon — Thu, 17 May 2007 04:35:07 GMT

For younger people who want to become models or athletes, there are plenty of websites and books where they are really more likely to go for specialized fitness information. MSNBC has a helpful article here that hopefully will inspire some couch-potato types and others - like maybe myself (busy baby boomer who could use some fitness tips and a kcik in the butt). The message is any exercise is better than no exercise. I actually found the article quite inspiring. So, if it's beneath your level, don't be critical, go to a more source more geared to your needs. And thanks to those with more expertise who offered additional tips and inspiration.

Your home the gymnasium

Rose Janssen — Thu, 17 May 2007 19:18:49 GMT

Thank you for the information. I am always looking for something to "work". I am 51, have been menopauseal for years and have sucha a hard time losing around the middle. I sit a desk all day long. I just started walking on breaks & lunch & I am upo to 4 -5 miles day. This will add a "kick" to what I am doing. Thanks again, I am also open to suggestions in getting my abs tighter!

Your home the gymnasium

Ersa — Sat, 19 May 2007 16:45:14 GMT

Your home the gymnasium

jack kennely, SHAP, MI — Wed, 23 May 2007 01:17:24 GMT

i am crusie liner dance instructor and I don't have alot of time to spend at the gym. I began your workout plan and its FABULOUS!!! Me and my life-long parnter help one another. While one is doing one exercise, i'm ramping up for another. Our room is full of stuff to exercise on. The bed, chairs, and even push-ins on the floor. Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions. We enjoy them together

Your home the gymnasium

Christy, Atascader, CA — Wed, 23 May 2007 17:37:45 GMT

I think that this article is great...I sit in an office all day too and there are at least 3 of these excercises I can do while I am there...and the rest I am sure I can squeeze into my day...and for the ones who feel like they need to belittle the article and subsequently the people who are reading it, please find something constructive to say, or say nothing at all...if you don't like the article, don't read it and for sure don't comment on it...sometimes life is about choices, if I have to choose between 40 minutes running and an extra 40 minutes with my 5 year olds, it's no choice...and yes, before you tell me, I know that I can excercise with them, and I do...anyway, just let people take what they want from the article and if it doesn't suit you, find something else... :-)

Your home the gymnasium

AJ, Puerto Rico — Thu, 24 May 2007 06:03:31 GMT

Exactly... well said Christy!!! i think this article really does help, and even if you don't follow the regimen exactly as the author says, you can still take a little out of it and use it next time you are randomly lying on the floor with a chair conveniently sitting by your side.

Your home the gymnasium

Angie Lee Trainer, PA — Tue, 29 May 2007 14:27:22 GMT

Hi: I started to read your article today cos it reflects on a personal problem I've been fretting over for some time. I'm Menopausal at the age of 51 and I have developed some belly fat. I'm only 5'2 and 140 lbs. My husband says I am Not fat but when exiting an "Olive Garden" one nite and a lady waiting to be seated nicely asked me how many months I was, Right then and there reality bit me in the ass! I immediately tried getting into some of my blouses and dresses I haven't worn in awhile and realized I looked like I was carrying a small watermelon. Ughhh....Now I have No wish to look like a magazine model. I just wanna lose that beach ball and maybe trim down my outter thighs a bit so I can get back into my jeans without using a plier to pull up the zipper and w/o looking prego! I take care of my mom at home, on oxygen who has COPD so I can't get out let alone afford a gym. But if these home exercises will help get me on the road to at least slimming my mid section, I would be EVER so grateful. I also realize now that I get out of breath without much effort so I gather I need cardio vascular exercise and must start out slow. I just hope I can see some results w/o having to wait a year....ty for the information.

Your home the gymnasium

Xi, hongkong — Thu, 31 May 2007 23:36:43 GMT

what to do about fat roll in buttocks? my boyfriend said he likes it but i do not. any help please

Your home the gymnasium

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:13:56 GMT

Check out what this blog has to say about living the fit life.

Your home the gymnasium

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:47:54 GMT

The studies show that people on a diet almost always put the weight back on. This blog gives you great solution to turn eating into a healthy habit. No dieting required.

Your home the gymnasium

Zach Wright, Cincinnati, OH — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 06:49:26 GMT

unfortunately, there is no such thing as losing fat on just one area of the body. our genetics determine where we store and lose fat. if you burn enough fat, you will eventually burn the fat off of the area you want it. doing exercises targeted to specific areas definitely helps, just know that losing fat is a good 60-80 percent of it.

Your home the gymnasium

Ghazala Ajjan, Mumbai, India. — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:46:40 GMT

Simple and effective. I would like you to send me these workouts regularly. I will be obliged. Thanks.

Your home the gymnasium

Jeff W, Saginaw MI — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:12:35 GMT

Well i'll tell you what for all people on here that have model bodies and spend most of their leasure time excercising. I am over weight, I have energy, I play softball in the summer, ice hockey in the winter and I don't worry about how I eat and how fast/long I can run. I feel bad for you people who are so worried about how they look b/c as your perfecting your body, your life is coming closer to and end every day so I hope you all enjoy life as much as my over weight American self does.

Your home the gymnasium

sylvia spring branch TX. — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:48:21 GMT

I have a three story house every time i go up, on each floor i do 10 push ups that adds up really quick.No stairmaster required.

Your home the gymnasium

Gina Archuleta, Lamar, colorado — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:37:21 GMT

I have been working out for 7 weeks now. I have lost 25 lbs of fat, lost 9.5 inches and built some lovely muscled out legs. I started at the gym with cardio every day and then 30 minutes of weight training. I used machines because I was fresh from some injuries and very weak. I have gained so much strength and i feel good and I still have 30 lbs more to go. I plan to use your simple home gym ideas because there are just some days I just CANNOT get to the gym. Those days when I work 12 hour shifts.
Thank you for the ideas!!

Your home the gymnasium

Afsheen, Sunnyvale, CA — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:09:55 GMT

wonderful... i am not very active, very lazy to do work out. Most of the time i spend on my desk... i have started doing all of these from today. i am feeling good about all these simple exercises. Thanks a lot.

Your home the gymnasium

Patti Casas Chula Vista CA — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:48:18 GMT

Your home the gymnasium

Patti Casas Chula Vista CA — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:57:42 GMT

Hi, My busy schedule does not allow me to go to the gym as ofter as i would like, so i have started working out at home and it is great. I usually go for a run and then i do my work out at home and i fill very good as well as sort so i know that my workout is working and the more you work at home the more tricks you start to learn to at home. There are plenty excersises that we do at the gym that do not require the supervision or weights.

Your home the gymnasium

Debbie Emigh, Ballston Spa, New York — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:22:19 GMT

Your home the gymnasium

st<ylefhhfhf — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:24:05 GMT

Your home the gymnasium

Betty Sue — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:05:35 GMT

Hi, question for anyone who can answer: I have a moderate scoliosis mid to upper back. this makes it difficult for me to do crunches or ab work as the curve of my back is already thru most of the crunch. I just lost 30 lbs through hard work and diet but I want to lose the belly fat. Any suggestions??