Without the Gym

[Tempest_Blaze]

This may seem like a silly question, maybe I am being naive but all the magazines I read make it seem like you can not be toned without going to the gym/getting a gym membership. All the advise seems to be go to the gym, get a trainer etc. etc. I don't like the way they make it seem impossible to lose weight, tone up or build muscle without going. How many ladies were able to see a significant difference without going to the gym or hiring a trainer? How long did it take to really notice and what was your routine like?

I am starting a routine to tone up some areas for before summer. I refuse to purchase a gym membership I will hardly ever use. I do intend to purchase an elliptical or treadmill. Right now, I jump rope mostly for cardio then strength train using dumbbells.

[MizAvalon]

You can tone up and get in shape without going to the gym a la Rocky Balboa!:lol:

I go to the gym because it's right around the corner and I don't have room in my place to accumulate/store lots of different machines and equipment.

But yes, a gym isn't necessary. You can do cardio on your treadmill at home or by using a Walk Away the Pounds DVD for those who don't have a treadmill. Strength training can be done right on your living room floor. You can use weights or just your own body for resistance if you like. How do you think those guys who are in solitary confinement for months at a time stay in shape?:lol:

[macherieamour]

work out videos always help me tone up and lose weight the fastest. They are cheap and you can do them in the living room. Also, running outdoors is cheap!

[SplashAtl]

You don't need to go to the gym. Get some inexpensive dumbbells and you can tone and build muscle. Also, your diet is a huge part of your success.

I don't have a gym membership. I use dumbells and an elliptical machine and I do just fine.

[SplashAtl]

work out videos always help me tone up and lose weight the fastest. They are cheap and you can do them in the living room. Also, running outdoors is cheap!

Both of these suggestions have worked wonders for me also.

[iCandey]

I see fast results from my mini trampoline that I love and Winsor pilates.

[ThickHair]

Try the Firm or better still Cathe Fredrich. Cathe will get you ripped, if you want to be ripped.

[shalom]

ITA with Thickhair, Cathe will get you tight. Check your cable network for local listings.

[InNeedofHairapy]

I work out at home. I use excercise tapes, I walk around the high school's track, and I use my own free weights and resistance bands. There is a mini gym in my apartment building, but the machines are outdated.

I used to think that I had to have a treadmill in order to excercise, but that was just an excuse for me to not excercise. Now, if I do nothing at all, I at least life my weights every other day. I do the Body for Life method majority of the time.

[HoneyDew]

I never go to the gym. Pilates, The Firm, and Taebo keep it all tight for me. I have atreadmill, too.

[Shimmie]

This may seem like a silly question, maybe I am being naive but all the magazines I read make it seem like you can not be toned without going to the gym/getting a gym membership. All the advise seems to be go to the gym, get a trainer etc. etc. I don't like the way they make it seem impossible to lose weight, tone up or build muscle without going. How many ladies were able to see a significant difference without going to the gym or hiring a trainer? How long did it take to really notice and what was your routine like?

I am starting a routine to tone up some areas for before summer. I refuse to purchase a gym membership I will hardly ever use. I do intend to purchase an elliptical or treadmill. Right now, I jump rope mostly for cardio then strength train using dumbbells.
Not a silly question. The only reason I go to the gym is because they had equipment that I did not have at home (Treadmill; eliptical and the weights (larger than 10 pounds), etc.

But walking, and Dancing are two of the main ways that I stay in shape. Since I joined a gym (5 years ago), I've more equipment for home use and I only go to the gym because I love the Treadmill and it's faces my office window...:lol:

The one fitness item I truly have fallen in love with is my Ballet Barre (www.fluidity.com (http://www.fluidity.com)). :love:

One would think that I own this company or have stock options in it, because I speak of it so highly; (I should :lol: ) but the Ballet Barre is just that good and worth every nickle and dime that I paid for it.

Here are some great Videos/DVD's - My favorites:

Lotte Berke (www.lotteberk.com (http://www.lotteberk.com))
Callenectics (www.callanectics.com (http://www.callanectics.com))This one is also at Amazon.com - Here's the link

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Callanetics-Fitness-Corner-Video/b?ie=UTF8&node=643170

Other good ones are:

Turbo Jam
The Firm
Joga/Booty/Ballet (Now at Walmart for about $24.99)

But my favorite one of all is "Fluidity" :lol: My Ballet Barre....my body loves it :love: and it shows :yep:

Here's the infomercial which does not do it justice. ;) http://www.fluidity.com/Default.asp?Page=infomercial.asp?News=1

Hope this helps... ;)

[Tempest_Blaze]

Thank you, ladies!! A lot of these magazines and articles aren't really encouraging when it comes to just working out at home. I remember reading a question in Oxygen where a woman specifically said she doesn't have time to go to the gym so what could she do at home. The advisor told her to make time to go to the gym and that was basically it. Now I feel motivated like what I am doing at home isn't a waste a time.

[Tempest_Blaze]

Lotte Berke (www.lotteberk.com (http://www.lotteberk.com))
Callenectics (www.callanectics.com (http://www.callanectics.com))[/LIST]This one is also at Amazon.com - Here's the link

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Callanetics-Fitness-Corner-Video/b?ie=UTF8&node=643170



The womans body in that first video is exactly what I am striving for and exactly why I made this thread. I may have to check that out!

[SplashAtl]

Try the Firm or better still Cathe Fredrich. Cathe will get you ripped, if you want to be ripped.


Who is Cathe Fredrich? Does she have a show on TV or does she have video tapes?

[JFemme]

add to the above 'great ideas' this gem I recently discovered...
http://demandfitness.com/

online fitness classes...;)

[bluediamond0829]

yea i cancelled my gym membership because i just couldnt be motivated enough to go to the gym and its right up the street from me less than 5 minutes away....and i just dont think exercise machines sometimes can be enough for a person trying to lose weight...maybe for maintaing...but i noticed that I had to work extra hard when it came to me trying to go to the gym and lose weight compared to me going to the park and exercising....

i workout at the park....i walk and jog...i have workout dvds( that i sometimes use) a treadmill and elliptical machines at home....stretch bands, the ball to shape the abs....but im more for going outside and working out its just something about going to park for me that keeps me going...ive lost the most weight by doing it..i knew what it took to do it because i did it before.....

so it is possible that you can lose weight and tone up at home or by going to the park or even walking from you home and walking a certain distance..you just have to be motivated to do it...

[Mystic]

I have been going to the gym for years but all I seem to do is maintain. Significant weightloss always seem to elude me. I got a little frustrated and hired a personal trainer and I started seeing progress. He pushed me hard and knew the technique for toning up fast. Unfortunately the relationship didn't last because the trainer constantly missed my sessions so I quit and decided to work out at home. Got some tapes and with consistency, for the first time in years, I am loosing significant weight, toning up and feeling good, all on my own, in the privacy of my home. If you have a trainer who can help you get to your goals, then the gym is excellent. If not, you can get excellent results at home with exercise tapes and some equipment such as different sets of dumbbells, steps, etc. Get cardio and weight training tapes/dvds.

[Mystic]

Who is Cathe Fredrich? Does she have a show on TV or does she have video tapes?


I believe her show is on Fitness TV.

[zoya_j]

I'm interested in Cathy Friedrich as well which tapes do you recommend? I have the firm systems, the Cathy series would be a good shake up for my routine.

[chinyere1]

I work out home by doing jumping jacks and jumping rope for cardio and then I use bodylastics for weight training. They are resistance bands that work like weights. Everytime I use them I am so sore. I had them for a month and Im already toning up.