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Group: Beginners to Exercise

Equipment for beginners

Anni313 Posts: 1,790 Joined: 2004/03/04	2004/03/18, 07:16 AM I'm just starting out, making good progress on my weight loss and learning my diet so my thoughts are starting to turn toward weights. I don't have access to a gym and I live in a small apartment. What are some basic necessities? Right now "lift heavy" for me means the 5lb weight I bought and the 1lb cans of beans I'm using for my laterals. So you can see that I am starting from the very bottom. Thanks for any advice you can give me, I don't want to waste my money on stupid stuff since my budget is pretty limited. -------------- Anni Never pet a burning dog.
Kyrah Posts: 251 Joined: 2004/03/11	2004/03/18, 08:55 AM Ok, not sure what their "technical" name is but I use one of those big blue balance balls to work out at home. They are great for abs, legs, and upper body excercizes! My favorite is to lay on it with my shoulders and neck supported, feet shoulderwidth apart, pull the butt up and tighten abs. . . as if that isnt work out enough use your hand weights, hold them straight up and slowly lower backwards over your head keeping arms straight, bring back to starting position. Really works the underarm area, pectorals, and abs trying to keep you in place. . . getting sore just thinking of it. . . :laugh: Have fun and get inventive :)
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/03/18, 09:06 AM Really large rubber bands will work as exercise bands... I believe you can get them at stationary stores or drug stores... the more you add, the more resistance you will get. Another thing I have done is fill 4 litre milk jugs with sand.. they wind up being about 10 pounds or so... good for a dumbell... or hand a couple of 'em from a broomstick and you have a cheap barbell... Never underestimate the power and weight of your own body... push ups and sits up are remarkable... if you have a backpack, fill that with some weight and sling it on your back for push ups... I do leg extensions on my kitchen cupboard... if you get some ankle weights, use those, sit on the cupboard and do 'em that way... Tricep dips, just grab a chair and use that instead of a bench... Here's what I've dreamed up for a bench, as I don't have room for storage either... we've got a couple of rubbermaid storage tubs, pull them out, lay a piece of wood over them, lay a blanket on top of that and voila! You have a bench! For an incline, take that same piece of wood, lean it against a chair and there ya go... the only thing I can't figure out is the decline... I keep falling off! Can't figure out how to hold myself on with my ankles just yet... but, I will get it conquered! There's some ideas for ya! t -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle TimDay@freetrainers.com
	2004/03/18, 10:10 AM You can pick up a standard barbell, dumbell 110 lb weifht set for $60. Benches are about 100 but a stability ball will suffice for $20. The stability ball is one versatile gizmo. My wife prefers it to the bench. -------------- A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it. Charlie
	2004/03/18, 10:13 AM OOPs , just saw the space limitation.... Dumbells are 50 cents a pound. You can add as needed. Don't buy the froo froo padded ones or we will laugh and point at you.:big_smile: -------------- A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it. Charlie
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2004/03/18, 10:55 AM Kyrah is right, the exercise ball is the bomb for at-home workouts! use it as a bench, as an ab workout, for stretching, everything. karen Voight has some good dvds out for workouts on the ball - not too spendy, check amazon.com. Also bands are great - bodylastics.com has an awesome kit with everything you need, bands, handles, cuffs, anchor, video and manual, fairly cheap. i use bands with my clients a lot because they are sooooo versatile! Charlie - i happen to like froo froo padded dumbbells - my daughter calls them the baby weights! Unfortunatley they don't come in the 30-50lb range! -------------- "To be able to go to the gym and train hard is a joy and a privelege, even though the hard work necessitates driving yourself through considerable discomfort. Savor this privelege and blessing, and revel in it." Stuart McRobert, Beyond Brawn
	2004/03/18, 11:41 AM Amy , I would point and giggle at you but I am too scared. Thanks for the tip on the band stuff. -------------- A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it. Charlie
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2004/03/18, 11:55 AM Charlie, You can point and laugh at me all you want, I laugh at you all the time! Oh, I mean, I'm laughing with you, not at you...:big_smile: -------------- "To be able to go to the gym and train hard is a joy and a privelege, even though the hard work necessitates driving yourself through considerable discomfort. Savor this privelege and blessing, and revel in it." Stuart McRobert, Beyond Brawn
	2004/03/18, 11:58 AM I am my wife's favorite form of amusement. :big_smile: -------------- A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it. Charlie
Anni313 Posts: 1,790 Joined: 2004/03/04	2004/03/18, 12:45 PM You guys are too funny. I will get the ball thing to start with. My boyfriend likes the sound of the bands, cuffs, anchor and videos lol Charlie, you know how riddled I am with anxiety so I will not get the padded whatevers because if you laugh at me I might never recover. -------------- Anni Never pet a burning dog.
Kyrah Posts: 251 Joined: 2004/03/11	2004/03/18, 12:48 PM I have this obsession with the padded weights my next aquisition will be a pair of purple ones!!! Muhahaha :dumbbell:
	2004/03/18, 12:55 PM Maybee a padded cell....just a thought. -------------- A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it. Charlie
Anni313 Posts: 1,790 Joined: 2004/03/04	2004/03/18, 12:56 PM Charlie! You didn't tell me that there were PURPLE froo froo padded things. -------------- Anni Never pet a burning dog.
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/03/18, 12:59 PM Um... my name is Tim, and we have froo froo weights at home.... Whew... that feels good... glad I got that off my chest.... Purple, Black, Blue and... um... pink.... t -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle TimDay@freetrainers.com
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/03/18, 01:02 PM Wal-mart sells a set of dumbells for about $20. 2 bars, 4 7.5 lb plates, 4 2.5 lb plates. Has its own carrying case. Doesn't take up alot of space, you can add to it, very versatile. They also sell 2.5 lb plates for about $1.00 apiece. A set of those with a ball ($12) and you will have a pretty good, inexppensive setup.
Anni313 Posts: 1,790 Joined: 2004/03/04	2004/03/18, 01:02 PM They come in pink too? So... when I go to the "I wanna be buff and chisled" store, I just ask the guy for the padded froo froo things, in festive colors to match my workout clothes? That doesn't sound right. Tim honey, do we need to form a Pink and Purple Padded Froo Froo Users Annonymous support group? -------------- Anni Never pet a burning dog.
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/03/18, 01:04 PM I think we purchased them in a moment of weakness.. haha.. and I think they are only a pound... a support group might not be a bad idea...:laugh: t -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle TimDay@freetrainers.com
	2004/03/18, 01:07 PM Tim , you are one of those secure males. Props bro. Anni, I'm packing up my Striesand workout vidios for you, where do I send them????:dumbbell: -------------- A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it. Charlie
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/03/18, 01:16 PM I am secure enough in my maculinity.. hahaha... I never use them though.. (like anyone will believe that) as they are only one pound... :laugh: t -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle TimDay@freetrainers.com
Anni313 Posts: 1,790 Joined: 2004/03/04	2004/03/18, 01:19 PM Charles that would be wonderful, but only if you are finished with them. lol I intend to graduate from the Let's Work Out With Barney video series this week and wasn't sure what the next level would be. I think you are a good person Charlie, no matter what other people say about you. :love: -------------- Anni Never pet a burning dog.
fryer91 Posts: 441 Joined: 2003/09/29	2004/03/18, 02:46 PM charlie; do you want me to send you my Jane Fonda workout video's...Can't get Barbarella out of my head...Oh, you can also have my Tony Little tapes; I about had a heart attack just watching them. You can dooo it!!!!
	2004/03/18, 06:29 PM Ilove you, You love me , Let's hang Barney from a tree!!!!:big_smile: -------------- A problem ceases to be such when you can laugh about it. Charlie
Kyrah Posts: 251 Joined: 2004/03/11	2004/03/18, 07:02 PM . . . with a stick of dynomite and we'll blow off his head . . . sorry kids but Barneys Dead!:laugh:
Anni313 Posts: 1,790 Joined: 2004/03/04	2004/03/18, 08:12 PM Tough crowd. lol -------------- Anni Never pet a burning dog.
Anni313 Posts: 1,790 Joined: 2004/03/04	2004/03/18, 08:13 PM Tough crowd. lol -------------- Anni Never pet a burning dog.
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2004/03/19, 09:27 AM well, Barney is a big purple froo froo thing....
Anni313 Posts: 1,790 Joined: 2004/03/04	2004/03/19, 10:35 AM asimmer has a valid point. Barney is back on the table as a viable workout partner and as a possible support group topic for those truly in need. -------------- Anni Never pet a burning dog.
Kyrah Posts: 251 Joined: 2004/03/11	2004/03/19, 10:37 AM /pulls the fuse out of the Dynamite:(
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/03/19, 11:20 AM Hi, my name is Tim... I am proud to say Barney does NOT exist in our house.... t -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle TimDay@freetrainers.com
ATIGER Posts: 992 Joined: 2003/02/26	2004/03/19, 11:22 AM I have to admit I used to hate that dino but when I saw how he got my 2 yr old to sit still and be quiet, I just wanted to kiss him. Now Barney and I are close ( along with several other cartoon characters ) As for the answer to the question - dumbells
carliem Posts: 3 Joined: 2004/04/10	2004/04/11, 03:39 AM dumbells are nice and cheap... and so are those gym balls. Plus, those gym balls make things more fun, which is always a bonus! I wonder if barney will bring out an exercise video?
flygurl19 Posts: 1 Joined: 2009/09/13	2009/09/13, 02:12 AM how will i get the things i need for my diet plan i really need help
drewzaun Posts: 5 Joined: 2009/09/09	2009/09/18, 06:05 PM What is it that you need? Measuring devices are cheap and available even in local $1 stores. Food scales can be pricey but you can also find cheap analog versions that are just as accurate. Protein powders are available online, in grocery stores, Walmart, vitamin shops, etc. Also, you will really want to ask this question in its own thread, you will get more answers that way.