Strength Training Advice

lyndseyfaith

Ive been doing some cardio now for a couple of weeks. Im comfortable with my weight, but I know I need to get back in shape. However, after reading a pp (strength vs cardio), I think I need to be doing more strength training. There are some areas that Id like to loss in (ie my love handles).  Im just wondering how/when to know that you are ready to do strength training. Also, I travel alot for work so joining a gym in not an option and I dont want to break the bank for weights. Any thoughts on weights and exercises for them? I was thinking just some dumbells from like Walmart in about 3 different loweer weights or what about ankle/wrist weights...then theres the kettle ball. Im feeling a little overwhelmed. Help please lol...

mrsdwithers331

Walmart has good weights and if you have a TJ Maxx or Marshalls in your area, you can find quite a few items there as well. I have a 12lb medicine ball that I use for my arms, and a an exercise band..I also purchased one of those big balls (the name of them slips my mind, lol) and use that to strengthen my lower legs, but using it to do squats and it came with it's own excercise video as well. The most I've paid for any type of exercise equipment at TJ or Marshalls is 9.99! I think their Kettle Ball may be the most expensive...you can find some exercises to target your abs by googling it or look them up on youTube..but the exercise ball can help with that too! Hope this helped a little!

lyndseyfaith

Thanks! I don't have a TJ Maxx thats super close but I do travel to an area that has one. Maybe I can go by and check it out during my lunch break and see what they have to offer.

justine043

you can also do exercises that only use your body weight, such as push ups, dips, squats and lunges. Ab exercises can all be done without equipment too, and those will help with the love handle region we all hate

just take it a little bit at a time, slowly adding in different exercises when you feel comfortable. good luck!

desertsun

Adjustable hand weights are a good investment! If you're going to do strength training, you need to keep increasing the weight. I have these and I think they're a great value:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-25-lb.-Adjustable-Weight-Speed-Pack/12441626

I have the ChaLean Extreme DVDs and love them. I got them on ebay for less than on beachbody's website. I really like them b/c it's a progressive series of DVDs with a 90 day schedule, complete with calendar and tracking sheets so you can easily record reps/weight, and cross out workouts as you go so you can really SEE how you progress.
http://teambeachbody.com/workout-routines/chalean-extreme-workout

Because you travel, you could also invest in bands. The DVDs I mentioned above show all the modifications for using bands for the workouts, so it really is a good option.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-Long-Series-Resistance-Tube-Kit-with-DVD/12167849?findingMethod=rr

HTH!

lyndseyfaith

Justine-Ive been thinking about doing self resisitance training, but other than the basic exercises you listed, I can't come up with any to do esp for those love handles...and I was trying to look on youtube but I learned you have to be careful what you search haha

Desertsun-I haven't even heard of those ChaLean workouts that you are talking about. Are they all strength training or is it some cardio?

kesbeck

I love kettlebells and have found the gofit kettlebells at REI to be relatively inexpensive as kettlebells go.  They come with a video but I haven't used that.  You can do an online search for Josh Hillis or RKC Kettlebell training videos to learn proper form.  Once you've got it down, it's really easy and fun and you definitely will see a difference!

desertsun

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_strength-training-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:7b207823-c34f-499a-9f97-8677003da9baPost:ed6630a6-3120-4c01-b569-b5e3bb81fc71">Re: Strength Training Advice</a>:
[QUOTE]Justine-Ive been thinking about doing self resisitance training, but other than the basic exercises you listed, I can't come up with any to do esp for those love handles...and I was trying to look on youtube but I learned you have to be careful what you search haha <strong>Desertsun-I haven't even heard of those ChaLean workouts that you are talking about. Are they all strength training or is it some cardio?</strong>
Posted by lyndseyfaith[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>The focus of the program is strength, so most of the workouts are different exercises with weights, but there are also 2 ab workouts, 1 cardio/HIIT type workout, and 1 kind of mixed, longer workout with cardio and some weights, and then also a stretching/yoga type flexibility training workout. </div><div>
</div><div>I think altogether there are like 15 different workouts? </div><div>
</div><div>You can search on YouTube. There are a lot of people who have videos of themselves doing the different Chalene Johnson workouts, ChaLEAN Extreme (CLX), Turbo Jam, and Turbo Fire. Chalene is awesome! Really genuine and encouraging without being fake or perky.</div><div>
</div><div>Her Turbo workouts are more cardio oriented. I bought CLX before TF was out, and then I bought TF too, and there is a hybrid TF/CLX workout schedule. I am working on TF right now, then will go back to CLX (since it's been a year since I did those workouts and I need to build my strength back up), and then will probably do the hybrid. </div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

randik82

You could buy some resistance bands.  They are much cheaper, so you'll be able to get a variety without breaking the bank.  I'm not gonna lie, they are not quite the same as free weights but they are good subsitute and you could travel with them easily without adding weight to your luggage.  Any good sporting good store will have them.  Don't buy them from a place like Walmart or Target.  The quality will not be the same.

justine043

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_strength-training-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:7b207823-c34f-499a-9f97-8677003da9baPost:ed6630a6-3120-4c01-b569-b5e3bb81fc71">Re: Strength Training Advice</a>:
[QUOTE]Justine-Ive been thinking about doing self resisitance training, but other than the basic exercises you listed, I can't come up with any to do esp for those love handles...and I was trying to look on youtube but I learned you have to be careful what you search haha Desertsun-I haven't even heard of those ChaLean workouts that you are talking about. Are they all strength training or is it some cardio?
Posted by lyndseyfaith[/QUOTE]

oh jeez i can only imagine what came up! the love handles are so hard to work, i do a ton of differnent ab exercises (bicycles, plank & side planks, lifting your heels straight up while lying on your back...to really get your sides you can add a lil twist up...sorry im terrible at explaining things!) along with back exersises like deadlifts and bridges (gotta keep everything balanced)

i know its an oldie, but if you youtube 8 minute abs its not a bad quick workout. if you do it 2x in a row youll really feel it. ab ripper X from the p90x series is 15 mins and youll really feel it all throughout your abs. good luck!!

probablykate

I don't have any recommendations for travel except the body weight exercises that pp recommended, but as far as getting a variety of weights at a relatively low cost, I recently bought these weights on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VCDXNS. Definitely more economical than buying all the different dumbells, and way cheaper than most other weight sets I've seen.

lyndseyfaith

Thanks all for the suggestions. I have been kinda sick for the past week so working out in general has been lacking...have to get back into it!!