had to cancel gym

Faolchu

folks due to a number of factors, finances being the most prominent I’ve had to cancel my gym membership.

But i obviously was thinking of setting something up in the spare room. I live in an apartment so I’m pretty restricted in that i couldn’t get a full multi bench or anything like that and can’t obviously put a treadmill in coz I’d probably go through the floor and land on the fella living below me.
So I’m thinking maybe an exercise bike, and work up to about an hour a day on it and then something like this http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9003314.htm because i like to lift weights, makes me feel like I’m going more work.
then when i manage to shift some of the weight (I’m circa 17 stone) start doing some running in the local area, the estate has plant of grass areas around the back of the apartment blocks coz I’ve a gimpy knee and i reckon pounding pavement might aggravate it a little right now.

Obviously the first step is the grub, today i had to avoid taking lunch with the rest of the people in the office because someone took in a box of Roses and i know I’d just keep picking at them. So I’ve decided to take lunch outside til i can get the will power up to “just say no”.

TommyKnocker

Sorry to hear you were forced to leave your gym, but I will offer another alternative to you.

Personally speaking I find the stationary bike to be the most boring type of exercise on the planet. And the number of folks I know who have stationary bikes in a corner of their room being used as a clothes horse or gathering dust in the attic/garage is crazy.

Now by all means if you are into stationary biking then go ahead. But you stated that you feel more like you worked out when you use weights and were thinking of getting a bench and some dumbbells.

My suggested alternative would be to consider Kettlebells, no bench required. KB's will give you the benefit of both a cardio/conditioning and weights workout. The are reasonably inexpensive, easily stored and you do not need a large workout area to work out with them. I honestlu don't think a pair of 5kg dumbbells are going to do too much for you.

Again, personally speaking, I would go with KB's, an over door pull-up bar, possibly a skipping rope (though probably not suitable for yourself at present with a dodgy knee) and body weight exercises.

Faolchu

TommyKnocker wrote: »

Again, personally speaking, I would go with KB's, an over door pull-up bar, possibly a skipping rope (though probably not suitable for yourself at present with a dodgy knee) and body weight exercises.

i'll look into those thanks, was just thinking of the weights more for a psychological thing than any actually major benifits, like you said the bike can be as boring as hell i figured a small amount of weights even light ones thrown in might help lessen the boredom, that and maybe a good book.

yeah was thinking of a rope, apartment living wouldn'tt help though, have to have some consideration for the guy living under me, and my fat ass pounding on his ceiling as i skip might cause him to take a hit out on me or something LOL. that said maybe when the knee gets better (ie i lose a few pounds) i could take one with me while out for a run. nice one

robodonkey

Cardio: Get a real bike and/or go for a run. Theer are studies that show outdoor exercise gives you a better "happy buzz" after exercise.

Weights: Use bodyweight, plain old pressups (there's loads of variations too to keep your body guessing), jump squats, tricep off the edge of a chair (no idea what these are technically called), chin ups (get a bar installed in a doorway?), core exercises......

Maybe invest in some dumbells (good heavy ones) when the above becomes too easy.

I reckon a lot of folks will be cutting back on gym fees and following your lead.

d'Oracle

If you are really heavy can I suggest that maybe you start with walking rather than running?

Faolchu

d'Oracle wrote: »

If you are really heavy can I suggest that maybe you start with walking rather than running?

when i said running i meant staggeting a few paces and falling on my face

robodonkey wrote:

Cardio: Get a real bike and/or go for a run. Theer are studies that show outdoor exercise gives you a better "happy buzz" after exercise.

live in an apartment which has no lock up area for a bike and technically we're not allowed to wheel them in through common areas. but i was thinking that the outdoor would be better in that i'de get the benifit of being outdoors also so get freshish air

robodonkey wrote:

Weights: Use bodyweight, plain old pressups (there's loads of variations too to keep your body guessing), jump squats, tricep off the edge of a chair (no idea what these are technically called), chin ups (get a bar installed in a doorway?), core exercises......

was thinking of those dip things too off a kitchen chair, sit ups and push ups and what not to start then at some point pick up a small wieght set and bench. but I wouldnt have faith in our walls to hold the weigth for a bar to be honest. but like you said there are some very easy cheap ways to get "weight lifting" introcuded by using furniture and stuff. and I know one ot two mates that are considering the same thing as me to keep costs down

_DMac_

http://www.scoobysworkshop.com/

he's very good for home gym type stuff. loads of tips and videos and he is completely against spending money on equipment. do it cheap but do it properly if you drift my get.

he sounds like a twat as well but get over that and theres some fantastic advice on the site

Remmy

opcowner2007 wrote: »

he sounds like a twat

He really does.

ferike1

Calisthenics is the way to go. Free of charge, anytime, anywhere!!