5 Household Items to Use as Weights!
Recently, I blogged about creating a DIY gym in your home. I felt passionate about this because I understand for many of us, making it to the gym, with all the demands of everyday life, can feel really difficult at times. There’s no reason why life should get in the way of you and your health goals! Our homes are filled, room-to-room, with everything we need for a sweat-inducing, fat-burning, heart-pounding workout.
Over the years, I’ve picked up some weights at home I like to use. But, as I alter my workouts, and I need more or less weight, I’m constantly looking around my home for items that can double as weights. And, what I’ve realized is they are plentiful!
Books are “Abs”olutely Perfect
A hardcover book can work great for strengthening your core muscles, and your core is SO important in preventing injury to other parts of your body. Any good workout must contain attention to your core. Find a thick book (e.g., a hardcover dictionary!) and hit the floor for these three abdominal exercises.
Set the book on your chest for additional weight during standard crunches. For a great lower ab workout, lie on your back with your arms extended above you, holding the book. Lift your shoulder off the ground, while keeping the rest of your body flat. Use only your stomach muscles.
Sit on a chair with your legs together and extended in front of you, feet approximately eight inches off the ground. Set the book on your shins and lift your legs, keeping them extended. This will work your lower abs, as well as your legs.
You “Can” Do It
When I’m not using my set of hand weights, I like to use cans for exercises such as tricep and bicep lifts, and lunges. A dense liquid can (like condensed milk) works well, and you can eventually graduate to a coffee canister. If you need something even heavier, try adding sand to the canister. Cans of vegetables will work if a pinch too! Milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, bags of beans, and socks filled with coins are some of my other go-to’s. What about you? What have you used as an impromptu weight?
Pull Up a Chair, and Take a Seat
No, no, our exercise sesh isn’t over just yet! Believe it or not, you can get a full-body workout using a chair. For toned arms, try tricep dips. Stand in front of the chair, with your back to the chair. Lower yourself until your legs form a 90-degree angle, and place your arms behind you, gripping the edge of the chair. Raise and lower your body to form a 90-degree angle with your arms. Try several sets of 12 repetitions.
Recently, I blogged about creating a DIY gym in your home. I felt passionate about this because I understand for many of us, making it to the gym, with all the demands of everyday life, can feel really difficult at times. There’s no reason why life should get in the way of you and your health goals! Our homes are filled, room-to-room, with everything we need for a sweat-inducing, fat-burning, heart-pounding workout.
Over the years, I’ve picked up some weights at home I like to use. But, as I alter my workouts, and I need more or less weight, I’m constantly looking around my home for items that can double as weights. And, what I’ve realized is they are plentiful!
Books are “Abs”olutely Perfect
A hardcover book can work great for strengthening your core muscles, and your core is SO important in preventing injury to other parts of your body. Any good workout must contain attention to your core. Find a thick book (e.g., a hardcover dictionary!) and hit the floor for these three abdominal exercises.
Set the book on your chest for additional weight during standard crunches. For a great lower ab workout, lie on your back with your arms extended above you, holding the book. Lift your shoulder off the ground, while keeping the rest of your body flat. Use only your stomach muscles.
Sit on a chair with your legs together and extended in front of you, feet approximately eight inches off the ground. Set the book on your shins and lift your legs, keeping them extended. This will work your lower abs, as well as your legs.
You “Can” Do It
When I’m not using my set of hand weights, I like to use cans for exercises such as tricep and bicep lifts, and lunges. A dense liquid can (like condensed milk) works well, and you can eventually graduate to a coffee canister. If you need something even heavier, try adding sand to the canister. Cans of vegetables will work if a pinch too! Milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, bags of beans, and socks filled with coins are some of my other go-to’s. What about you? What have you used as an impromptu weight?
Pull Up a Chair, and Take a Seat
No, no, our exercise sesh isn’t over just yet! Believe it or not, you can get a full-body workout using a chair. For toned arms, try tricep dips. Stand in front of the chair, with your back to the chair. Lower yourself until your legs form a 90-degree angle, and place your arms behind you, gripping the edge of the chair. Raise and lower your body to form a 90-degree angle with your arms. Try several sets of 12 repetitions.
