Comments on How to Get a Total Body Workout Without Belonging to a Gym

When I was in the Air Force, it was often tough to get a good tune up. One cannot imagine what can be done with a broom handle, an office waste paper can, the deck of an EC-121 Super Constellation, a rack and doing knee bends in the aisles. Isometrics (something new back then) were a standard and isometric crunches are almost as good as gym crunches. If they were good enough for the Astronauts, they were good enough for us. I was 5'11" and weighed in at 160. of lean, mean, flying machine. Now they use the stuff in nursing homes.

When I was in the Air Force, it was often tough to get a good tune up. One cannot imagine what can be done with a broom handle, an office waste paper can, the deck of an EC-121 Super Constellation, a rack and doing knee bends in the aisles. Isometrics (something new back then) were a standard and isometric crunches are almost as good as gym crunches. If they were good enough for the Astronauts, they were good enough for us. I was 5'11" and weighed in at 160. of lean, mean, flying machine. Now they use the stuff in nursing homes.

Try putting your toes at the edge of a chair, with your hands on the ground. Put your hands in a diamond form (index touching index and thumb touching thumb). When you go down slowly, make sure it's in the middle of your chest. That's your upper chest burning. You can also try putting your feet on the ground and hands on the chair (much easier).

Once regular push-ups become too easy, try doing them with your feet elevated 1-2 feet off the ground.

Do as many push-ups as you can in a minute. Then wait 30 seconds and do push-ups on your knees for 30 seconds. After that, do 10 push-ups with your feet on a chair. Then repeat. You shouldn't get over your first number.

I use the shower walls to do stand up push-ups while showering. It's good for the arms, shoulders and chest. Three or four repetitions of eight.

While watching TV, sit on the floor and do crunches or sit ups during every commercial. That way you can watch your favorite show and work your abs at basically the same time. If that gets too easy, do speed abs. Pick a #40-80, then double the number. Do that many crunches or sit ups in 2 minutes.

Get a resistance band! I use it while watching TV or while I'm cooking. There are endless strength exercises you can do with it. My roommates and I fight over who gets to use it next!

At work, if stairs are available, make use of them during your 15-minute breaks and lunch. This will shape those legs as well as be a great stress reliever.

If you can't do ten regular push-ups right away, start with one regular push-up, followed by nine modified push-ups.

Do as many push-ups as you can in a minute. Then wait 30 seconds and do push-ups on your knees for 30 seconds. After that, do 10 push-ups with your feet on a chair. Then repeat. You shouldn't get over your first number.

While watching TV, sit on the floor and do crunches or sit ups during every commercial. That way you can watch your favorite show and work your abs at basically the same time. If that gets too easy, do speed abs. Pick a #40-80, then double the number. Do that many crunches or sit ups in 2 minutes.

I like to start my day with sun salutations and then end my day with a cobra, warrior, corpse pose combo. All you need is a bit of soft ground - no equipment or gym fees.

If you exercise when you wake up for at least twenty minutes, not only will you be more refreshed during the day, but you will burn more calories and almost prolong the workout throughout the day.

Not only do pets bring down blood pressure but they make great walking buddies too. Since you have to take your dog out at least twice a day, turn this chore into an exercise adventure everyday!

I use the shower walls to do stand up push-ups while showering. It's good for the arms, shoulders and chest. Three or four repetitions of eight.

If financial problems are in the way of joining a gym consider volunteering in the child care room (usually 3 hours/week) in exchange for a membership. Many gyms offer this situation.