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Recession Proof Your Workout: DIY Home Exercise Equipment

Fri, 09/26/2008 - 2:30am by FitSugar
946 Views - 6 comments

The economy is on almost everyone's minds these days, but it's important that despite the tough times, we keep ahead of our health. If you're trying to cut back on your costs, you can easily transform a few items at home into your exercise equipment. The Mayo Clinic had a few good ideas as to how. They are:

  • Canned goods. Many canned goods can serve double duty as hand weights.
  • Milk or water jugs. Fill empty milk or water jugs with water or sand and secure the tops with duct tape. To adjust the weights as your fitness level changes, simply add more water or sand. If you wonder how much weight you're lifting, simply weigh the jug on your household scale.
  • Step stools. A low, sturdy step stool can become exercise equipment if you use it for step training — an aerobic exercise resembling stair climbing.

I've got a few ideas of my own to add to the list so read more.

  • Water bottles. Just like canned goods, water bottles make a great supplement for hand weights (and they won't damage your floor if you drop them). Need to beef it up? Detergent bottles do the trick too.
  • Chairs. Use a sturdy chair to do tricep dips and inclined push-ups. Have someone spot you to make sure the chair does not flip over.
  • Walls. Use your walls for push-ups (hands against the wall), stretching, and wall sits.
  • Stairs. Even if you only have a few stairs in your house, you can use them to climb — up and down.

If this sounds like something you could do, then be sure to check out this 10-minute workout that anyone can do at home.

Source

on Yahoo!

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6 Comments Add a Comment

  • Advah's picture
    Advah
    1

    Hah I totally use tomato cans as weights, and use chairs to do push ups! Sticking out tongue (at home and at work)

    14 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • hippiecowgirl's picture
    hippiecowgirl
    2

    I use water bottles when I travel and don't want to pack heavy weights. I have been known to use canned goods, too.

    14 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • ilanac13's picture
    ilanac13
    3

    i think that there's something to be said about making home alternatives to working out but for me, even if i am short on $$ i will still find a way to go to the gym since that's my motivator. if i'm paying for it then i'll work out more to ensure that i'm getting the full value.

    14 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • RetroChristal's picture
    RetroChristal
    4

    Hand weights really aren't that expensive, and their easier to hold than cans or milk jugs. I think I bought two 5lbs hand weights at target for under 10$. That's way cheaper than a monthly gym membership.

    14 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • Spectra's picture
    Spectra
    5

    When I was in college, I did a lot of my workouts using milk jugs filled with water and the stairs in my dorm. They were sort of awkward, but they worked in a pinch until I was able to buy a few sets of dumbbells.

    14 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment

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