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Q:

What's the best way to add resistance or weights to workouts without purchasing expensive equipment?

Hi everyone,

I've been trying to up my fitness game during the pandemic, but I don't have much equipment at home. I've been doing bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats, but I'm finding that I'm starting to plateau and not seeing the same results. I don't want to spend a lot of money on weights or equipment, so I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to add resistance to my workouts without breaking the bank. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

All Replies

bwalter

Hi everyone,

I can completely relate to the struggle of trying to add resistance to workouts without breaking the bank. While I do have some gym equipment at home, I've found that incorporating resistance bands has been a game-changer for me. They're relatively inexpensive and take up hardly any space.

One of my favorite things about resistance bands is their versatility. There are countless exercises you can do with them that target different muscle groups. Plus, unlike dumbbells or barbells, the resistance is constant throughout the movement. This means you can get a great burn without having to use really heavy weights.

I'd highly recommend giving them a try. There are plenty of instructional videos online that can help you get started and make sure you're using proper form.

rowan86

Hey everyone,

I've also been struggling with adding resistance to my workouts without spending a fortune on equipment. One thing that's helped me is finding creative ways to use furniture as a substitute. For example, a sturdy chair can be used as a bench for tricep dips, while a couch cushion can be used for elevated push-ups.

Another great option is to use a towel or a t-shirt as a gliding disc for exercises like hamstring curls or mountain climbers. This can make an exercise more challenging and help to engage different muscles.

Finally, don't forget about good old-fashioned bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats, and lunges. By varying your hand and foot positions, you can target different muscle groups and add resistance. For example, doing a single-leg squat or a push-up with your feet elevated can make the exercise more challenging.

I hope these ideas help you add some variety and difficulty to your workouts without having to spend a lot of money on equipment!

raymundo.terry

Hey guys,

I've been in the same boat as you and have been looking for ways to add resistance to my workouts without spending a lot of money on equipment. One thing that has worked for me is using resistance bands with handles. These are a bit more expensive than regular resistance bands, but they're still relatively affordable and versatile.

The handles allow you to perform exercises that mimic traditional weight lifting movements, such as bicep curls, tricep extensions, and lateral raises. They're also great for rowing movements that target your upper back muscles.

Another great way to add resistance to your workouts without buying expensive equipment is to use your own bodyweight. Isometric exercises like planks and wall sits are great for building strength and endurance, while variations of push-ups and squats can target different muscle groups and add difficulty.

Finally, don't underestimate the importance of proper form and technique in creating resistance for your body. By slowing down the movement and focusing on proper form, you can make exercises more challenging and create more resistance for your muscles.

Hope these tips help!

mhoeger

Hi everyone,

I'm also looking for ways to add resistance to my home workouts without investing in expensive equipment. One thing that has helped me is to use household items as weights. For example, using a gallon jug of water as a weight for curls or shoulder press. You can also use a bucket filled with dirt for squats or deadlifts.

Another option is to use a resistance band for lower body exercises. Wrap the band around your ankles or thighs to add resistance to exercises like squats or leg lifts.

Aside from that, I also use time under tension as a way to add resistance to my workouts. By slowing down the movement and focusing on contracting the muscle, you can increase the intensity without adding any additional weight.

Lastly, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises can help you increase resistance and build strength while using only your own bodyweight. Exercises like jump squats, burpees, and mountain climbers can increase your heart rate and burn calories while building muscle.

Overall, the key is to stay creative and challenge your body in new ways to keep the progress coming!

emmerich.helen

Hey everyone,

In my personal experience, calisthenics is an excellent way to add resistance to your workout regimen without needing any equipment. It's a great way to challenge your bodyweight and build strength in the process.

Exercises such as push-ups, squats, lunges, and planks are great to begin with. Once you have mastered them, you can progress to more advanced forms of calisthenics exercises like pistol squats or one-arm push-ups which are much more challenging.

Furthermore, using unilateral movements can add additional resistance for your body. For example, in a lunge or squat, focus on a single leg at a time, which challenges your lower body control, stability, and balance.

Aside from that, another way is to use your environment creatively to add resistance to your workout without equipment. Find a tree branch or a bar and perform some pull-ups or chin-ups, and then holding onto the branches perform additional bodyweight exercises.

Overall, embracing calisthenics is a smart way to add resistance to your workouts without any costs associated with gym equipment, making it a convenient and effective option to consider.

heidenreich.zechariah

Hey guys,

I'm in the same boat as you all and have been trying to find ways to add resistance to my workouts without spending a ton of money on equipment. I wanted to share a few tips that have worked for me.

Firstly, I'd suggest trying some plyometric exercises that use your own body weight to create resistance. Examples include jumping squats, burpees, and jump lunges. These exercises are great for building strength, endurance, and explosiveness.

Another option is to fill up an old backpack with whatever heavy items you have lying around the house. This can be anything from books, cans, or even bags of rice. The backpack can then be used as a makeshift weight vest for exercises like push-ups or lunges.

Finally, I've found that incorporating pauses or holds into my workouts has helped me to add resistance without any equipment. For example, during a push-up or a squat, hold at the bottom position for 3-5 seconds before coming back up. This increases the time under tension and can help to increase muscle activation and strength.

Hope these tips have been helpful!

rohan.domenico

Hi there,

I've also been in the same boat as you and have been looking for ways to add resistance to my workouts without purchasing expensive equipment. One thing I've found helpful is to use household items as weights. For example, water bottles filled with sand make great hand weights for arm exercises, while a backpack filled with books or other heavy items can be used as a weighted vest for bodyweight exercises.

Additionally, resistance bands are a relatively affordable option and come in different levels of resistance. They're perfect for adding difficulty to exercises like squats, lunges, and bicep curls.

Finally, don't underestimate the power of isometric exercises, where you use your own body as the resistance. Plank, wall sit, and bridge poses can all provide a challenge and help develop strength without equipment.

Hope this helps!

abernathy.floy

Hey there,

Adding resistance to workouts without purchasing equipment can be quite challenging. However, one method that has worked for me is using water-filled bottles or buckets. Filling these items with water provide weight and you can easily adjust the amount of resistance. You can use them to do bicep curls, shoulder press, squats, or any other exercise that requires weights.

Another option is to use stairs for step-ups, calf-raises or lunges. You can use the bottom or the top of the staircase for added resistance.

Furthermore, I recommend you try a backpack full of books as a substitute for a weighted vest. You can easily adjust the weight by adding or removing books. It's a great way to add weight to your bodyweight exercises such as pull-ups and push-ups.

Remember, the most important thing when working out is consistency. Whatever method you choose, make sure to incorporate it into your routine consistently so you can reap the benefits.

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