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| Title | How can I train away from the gym? |
| Description | A: Why is it people think that training to get fit and healthy starts with a gym membership? It has been set in our minds by the big companies, that the first port of call for our health development is the gym. By doing this we are not training when the gym becomes inaccessible due to rising costs, working away, travel issues, or even confidence. This in turn puts our health at risk and means we may never get to reach our goals. We can train anywhere; the only thing that stops us is our motivation. It is harder to train at home when there are distractions like the T.V. with a cup of tea and a biscuit. To combat this you need a strong desire to complete your goals and reasons why they are important to you. Health issues scaring you? Want to stop smoking? Lack of energy? Sick of being over / under weight? Want to start / further a sport? Once you have set your goal and worked out why it is important to you, its time to look at how we can train. Below is a list of equipment you can use to get there. Bodyweight (Free) Use your own body weight to progress your training. You can build muscle by performing high repetition exercises like squats and press ups or even use Plyometrics. Also an obvious body weight exercise for fitness and weight loss is running. Chairs (Free) These are a great way to perform any exercise on and everyone should already have some in their house. Dynobands / Therabands (£4 - £30, depending on length) Place these bands around doors, chair legs or fixtures to make a pulley like system. Double up the bands or get different thicknesses to increase resistance. Kettlebells (£20 - £100, depending on size and quality) Where can I start with kettlebells.......AMAZING RESULTS. Yes they cost, but it is a one off payment for a training tool you can use anywhere, with unlimited potential! Its an unbelievable piece of equipment for fitness, endurance, weight loss and muscle definition. Dumbbells (£5 - £500, depending on weight and make) Everyone know what dumbbells are. They can sky rocket in cost depending on quality and make, but on the other hand they are indispensable for any goal. Bottles of water (30p - £1, depending on size) If you can't afford weights, then why not grab a bottle of water and fill it depending on the weight you want to use. They can double up as a great makeshift dumbbell. Fit balls / Swiss balls (£10 - £15) Can be used for rehab and core strengthening techniques. Also can be used for a great strength and toning workout, adapted for people of all experiences. Medicine balls (£15 - £60, depending on weight) Medicine balls are again very diverse in what they can be used for, so you should count them as a good investment. Or you can make your own up by buying a cheap ball and filling it with sand. Skipping rope (£5 - £10) Amazing for weight loss and fitness. There is a reason why boxers use them, because once you get the hang of them the fat drops off! Steps (Free) Everyone should have stairs in their house, unless you live in a bungalow of course. Steps can be used to run / walk up and down, or even to aid weight baring exercises e.g. press ups, squats, dips. Foam rollers (£11 - £15) The ultimate stretching partner and amazing for muscle maintenance and repair. This can also be used for core work and balance. Training bars (£20 - £30, depending on weight) Use them to aid stretching or to develop your strength, by using activities like squats. The only down side is that they are not adjustable. Wrist / Ankle weights (£5 - £15, depending on weight) Can be used to progress your running / walking to ensure maximum calories are burnt! Why not check out our home training workouts and diet plans to help you achieve your goals. |
