Toning up at home advice?

TextureLikeSun

Ive lost 2 stone in the last 2 months ( through unislim) and while i still have a good way to go yet (approx 4 stone to reach my ideal weight) i have started to notice that i really need to start toning up as i continue to lose weight

Problem is im living in the middle of nowhere and dont drive so cant get to any gyms in nearly towns.At the moment i power walk every day and do a workout on an exercise bike but i feel like i need to do more?

Can anyone maybe recommend exercises that can help or even a workout dvd.Any tips as to what i need to be doing on a daily basis would be brillant and very much appreciated

Killgore Trout

I downloaded the bodyweight training e-book "you are your own gym" to get ideas for bodyweight exercises over Christmas. It's a decent way to get a good reference in the one place. I subsequently downloaded the app for iPhone. With the exception of a chinup bar (good to have but not essential - pretty cheap in argos) you don't really need much equipment.

It breaks exercises up into push, pull and legs.

I'm on my second 10 week plan; the plans consist of 2 weeks high reps low intensity (pyramids), 2 weeks of strength (your typical nsets x nreps), 2 weeks for power (supersets) and then a 4 week undulating block (supersets, tabathas, circuits etc...).

the app is good because it keeps track of what you're doing and you can substitute exercises with more difficult variations as you get stronger, or build your own programs (haven't tried that yet).

The sessions are between 20 to 35 minutes and I do them all at home.

Before I started the programmes I was doing a lot of swimming, but because I study and work and have a pile of exams coming up I haven't been getting to the pool for training as much as I'd like (got to sleep sometime). Because I don't need to go anywhere i've found bodyweight training really great for maximising my study time and it's a great energiser to break up study and fight off boredom and time wasting.

I'm not a complete beginner to weight training and I started off on the second out of four programmes (1. Basic - Entry level for beginners. 2. First Class - Intermediate level. 3. Master - advanced, 4. Chief - elite only.

I finished on the 10 week intermediate programme and started again about a month ago and found myself using more difficult variations of the exercises.

If you're a beginner I think there is enough in there to get you going. If you also get the app it includes videos for all the exercises. Some of the stuff he bangs on about in the intro section of the book should be taken with a pinch of salt. For example he is dismissive of cardio, gyms and using weights for training, which seems to be simply trying to justify his book.

If you're into DVDs my wife and her friend love 30 Day Shred Workout - JillianMichaels.com. I have also heard good things about insanity workouts. Someone else may be able to comment.

atilladehun

That app looks good Killgore, I might have a look.

I like insanity, my oh likes xhit on youtube and my bf likes some other series on youtube. I love working out at home as it's so hassle free and a dvd really keeps you ticking over.

TextureLikeSun

Thank you so much for taking the time to pass on all that info really appreciate it !Ill def check out all those tips;)

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

you have an 'other half' and a boyfriend?

how sophisticated

TextureLikeSun

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

you have an 'other half' and a boyfriend?

how sophisticated

no wonder they are fit lol

re.mark.able

I'd recommend push-ups, squats, plank and either pull-up bar exercises or simply lifting heavy things above your head.
For all 4/5 of those exercises - to increase difficulty and strength i like to put on a backpack and put like, my laptop and some canisters of water.

sweetie

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

you have an 'other half' and a boyfriend?

how sophisticated

I did a double take too but I'm guessing it's Best Friend!