What's up with all that expensive stuff just to get in shape? Look, if you like being around a bunch of sweaty people, keep paying those membership fees. Unless you want to look like Conan, The Governor, you don't need all the pricey equipment. You can get in shape and stay in shape using your body weight, aerobic walking and resistance bands, for about $ 100 per year, if you replace walking shoes yearly. That leaves about $ 20 for resistance bands.
No, it isn't a 1960's Rock-and-Roll band. A resistance band is a stretchy thing that resists you when you pull against it. You can order the fancy manufactured resistance bands for less than $ 50 or you can make the same thing out of surgical tubing or bungee cords for less than $ 20. Because I'm cheapskate, I would use the bungees, because I can also use them to tie things down. Basically, you want about 7 feet of total length with a loop in each end, large enough for your hands. Before cutting and tying, check the length by standing in the center holding each end in your hands and extending your arms above your head...this is when the band should be fully stretched.
Shoulder exercises can be done as above, one arm at a time, or both. To build shoulders even more, lift both arms at the same time straight out (T shape) from the body.
Arms can be exercised in a number of ways. Curls can be done by continuing to stand on the resistance band, only spreading your feet apart to get the desirable amount of resistance. You can do arm pushes by wrapping the center of the band around a door knob, facing away from the door, take each end in your hand and walk until the band begins to tighten, then push one hand away from the door until the arm is fully extended, then bring it back while pushing the other out. Turn around and do the opposite action for pulling exercises.
Legs can be strengthened using a little imagination and your bed or a chair, for calf and knee exercises. To add resistance to leg presses, lay on your back with the center of the band around the back of your neck and the loops around your feet, knees by you chest. Press your legs down until your whole body is straight, stretching the band.
Abdominal muscles can be worked best using crunches with your knees bent and toes under the edge of the couch. No need for extra equipment for that.
To be fit, you don't need a lot of resistance. It's better to do each routine to a count of 20, then move to the next routine. Then start over for another "rep" of 20. for toning and fitness, instead of increasing resistance, it's better to increase "reps." If you're into body-building. a resistance band isn't going to be useful long term.
Using your imagination and things around your home, you'll soon discover there is little you can do for fitness at a gym that you can't do with a resistance band. Here are some resistance band exercise videos to add to your routine. Of course, before you undergo any new fitness workout, consult your doctor and get medical tests to make sure you're healthy enough to begin slowly and work up to the more strenuous exercises. The idea is to work out, not break down.
Anyone willing to work this hard on improving their health needs to spend some time on the most important part of the health triangle...spirit. As many benefits as there are from aerobic exercise, they pale in comparison to the benefits available from God. If you want His benefits, visit Benefits From God.
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