Getting into the Best Shape of Your Life: Can it be done strictly at home?

[rootzdawta]

I've been working out at home for a little over a year using DVDs, jumping rope, hula hooping and lifting free weights. My focus now, though, is getting into the best shape of my life. My sister, who's also serious about fitness, and I have an ongoing argument. She's skeptical about being able to get into tip-top shape at home. I have another friend who believes that absolutely it can be done. And I'm in the middle. What say you?

[prothyraia]

Well, I'm pretty sure that people who lived back before gyms were common, but had an active and healthy lifestyle, were in better shape (meaning healthy and able to to easily perform the activities require for daily living) than a modern gym rat. The gym rat might have more muscle definition and be able to to lift a heavier amount of weight in a very specific manner; the pre-gym healthy person could probably do a better job lugging around 50lb bags of flour and working in the garden. And bodyweight exercises are actually *great* for building strength and fitness.

What does "best shape of your life" mean to you? I'm having a hard time imagining what you could do at a gym that you couldn't do at home?

[greenmom4]

Oh, for SURE you can do it on your own. I don't know that I, personally, would be able to do it, because I'm a slacker and do better with the structure of a daily trip to the gym. But really, if you're committed and put in the time there's no reason why you couldn't do it at home.

[~savah~]

It can definitely be done at home. I did it, I had an elliptical machine, a weight bench and a bunch of free weights. I think the key for me though was that I had a very workout plan that I stuck to every day. I would go over it at night so I knew exactly what I was going to do when I got up. If I didn't have the workout plan (like right now) I don't think it would have worked.

[laohaire]

My only caveat would be that "strictly at home" allows for going out for a jog.

Elliptical trainer is great, but if we're talking OPTIMUM workouts, I don't think you can beat an actual jog/run. But obviously you don't need a gym for that!

Other than that I can't think of a thing you'd need that you'd have to go to the gym for. A weight bench can be had at home, we have one. Some free weights are absolutely required. A few odds and ends like a mat, maybe a jumprope, maybe a step block. Those aren't even requirements, though, imho. I'm trying to figure out what you would NEED at a gym, I'm coming up totally blank. I know they have all the machines but what machines are there that you can't do the same or better with free weights or a sidewalk?

Machines are there to copy the original exercise. The treadmill copies the walk/jog/run. The quad machine copies (sort of) the squat.

There are advantages to the gym and machines, I'm not denying that at all. The elliptical is fabulous if you need to go easy on your joints. The machines are easy to use and reassuring - you can hardly do it wrong, and you're not going to drop the weight on yourself. And the gym itself can be motivating for people, some people don't LIKE to stay at home, some people like being surrounded by other people, some people feel it's too easy to skip out on a workout when it's at home, but when you have to go on the way to work it's a routine. All good reasons to choose a gym.

But HAVING to go to the gym? I'm drawing a blank as to why someone would think that.

[425lisamarie]

I'd say if you invest in a couple kettlebells, yes. Or even one, and set of lighter dumbells. They are HEAVY LUGS. I need heavy weights. I have two lighter ones that I do double kettlebell swings and over head presses, a heavier one for rows (back), sumo squats, etc.

I also have a pullup bar.

Seriously you can get a killer workout at home. You don't need stationary cardio

[lil_earthmomma]

I have a weight bench, and a pull up bar, and a yoga mat. That is all I need for a killer work out. I've also been known to use the stairs, sacks of rice, a sledge hammer and the couch to enhance my workouts, not to mention my toddlers!

You can definitely get an awesome workout at home, the gym is a structured place with lots of tools, but the tools you need are all around you.

[mommajb]

With some equipment (not tons like pps have mentioned), space, and enough motivation you can. I think consistency and working hard enough are the tougher aspects, not the where. CrossFit comes to mind for me.