Wednesday, July 4, 2012

David W. Fish and doing it old school: Working out with minimal equipment

For many people, keeping fit meant going to the gym. While it’s been part of the David W. Fish fitness regimen to actually go to the gym whenever I can, sometimes, whenever I don’t have the time or I need to cut back on my expenses so I can save a bit, I resort to keeping fit at home using a variety of means that I’ve discovered through the years.

David Wayne Fish Photo Credit: blogspot.com

Strength training usually implies the use of either free weights or exercise machines. They can be very effective and easy to use. They are, however, not the only ways that one can build strength and muscle mass. Here are a few of the minimal equipment exercises one can utilize at home.

  • Calisthenics. These use the body’s own weight as resistance and include such exercises like    push-ups. While not recommended for serious bodybuilders, fitness buffs like me, David W. Fish, swear by them.

David Wayne Fish Photo Credit: fitnessihub.com

  • Sandbag exercises. They can be very frustrating, but sandbags can be homemade and can offer the same amount of resistance as free weights with the added benefit of engaging both the grip and support muscles.

David Wayne Fish Photo Credit: 101exercises.com

  • Isometric exercises. Another means of exercising that uses the body itself as equipment, these exercises pit muscle groups against each other. Isotonic exercises include yoga and static martial arts moves. Yet another example would be planking.

David Wayne Fish Photo Credit: healthnewsonline.org

One does not need 24-hour access to a gym to stay physically fit. Strength training can easily be replicated at home, whether as the frequent or standby method of fitness. More of my health and fitness thoughts can be accessed on the David W. Fish Twitter.