dorothea (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dorothean) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
exercise_every_day2011-08-18 01:03 pm
dorothean) wrote in exercise_every_day2011-08-18 01:03 pm
Intro & request for advice
I just joined yesterday. I had a vacation recently during which I took a lot of day hikes, and remembered how much I like feeling strong and capable in my body. So I've decided to keep up my physical activity and see just how strong and capable I can be.
My request is for advice about strengthening my torso. I know a lot of exercises for my legs and arms, but not many for my back, chest or abdominal muscles. I can do crunches, and when I was at university the student gym had a wonderful contraption for back muscles (no idea what it was called - supported me face-down at the waist and legs, and I could hang down and pull myself up like upside-down sit-ups) but I don't have that anymore. I also know about flyes for the pectoral muscles.
What else can I do?
I have two five-pound weights and one twenty-pound one, and access to a squalid, underequipped gym at my apartment complex. I can't buy any special equipment now, or pay for classes or a membership, although if you find something very important, I'd like to hear about it. I don't have any relevant health problems, and I am fit enough to hike eight miles over a mountain in one day (huzzah!), but have trouble even figuring out which muscles to attempt to engage in doing a push-up.
My request is for advice about strengthening my torso. I know a lot of exercises for my legs and arms, but not many for my back, chest or abdominal muscles. I can do crunches, and when I was at university the student gym had a wonderful contraption for back muscles (no idea what it was called - supported me face-down at the waist and legs, and I could hang down and pull myself up like upside-down sit-ups) but I don't have that anymore. I also know about flyes for the pectoral muscles.
What else can I do?
I have two five-pound weights and one twenty-pound one, and access to a squalid, underequipped gym at my apartment complex. I can't buy any special equipment now, or pay for classes or a membership, although if you find something very important, I'd like to hear about it. I don't have any relevant health problems, and I am fit enough to hike eight miles over a mountain in one day (huzzah!), but have trouble even figuring out which muscles to attempt to engage in doing a push-up.
no subject
I'm a big fan of Pilates and yoga, but you really need an instructor to help you learn how it feels for your body. Videos really miss on teaching good core work.
You can do a lot with hand weights and a fitness center. A couple of sessions with a personal trainer can show you a lot.
no subject
I think I'd like to try a personal trainer someday, but right now I don't have the money to pay one or the time to find one who doesn't ever talk about losing weight (which would be a problem for me).