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SummerSails
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Joined: 09 Jul 2007
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 Posted: 07/19/07 - 13:29 Post subject: Strength Training Question
My weekly workouts consist of running, running, and running. I do not belong to a gym and prefer to run outside or on my treadmill. I do some arm toning with free weights and core strengthening exercises but I was wondering what I can do to help strengthen my leg muscles - that would not involve belonging to a gym? I sometimes do lunges or squats but am curious to hear other suggestions. Any ideas you can give me would be great!
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rmrgrs
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Posted: 07/19/07 - 22:31 Post subject:
well, you pretty much have the basics going. if you do bodyweight exercises (i.e. pushups, sit ups, squats etc) you should be good to go.
you can do things like
dips between 2 chairs
different angle push ups
if you have stairs you can do calf raises off of those
lunges are a great exercise
and of course, situps/crunches till you puke
if you are really interested in a new workout plan, i can find you some decent stuff...just let me know
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Phar lap
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Posted: 07/20/07 - 06:17 Post subject: Re: Strength Training Question
| SummerSails wrote: | | My weekly workouts consist of running, running, and running. I do not belong to a gym and prefer to run outside or on my treadmill. I do some arm toning with free weights and core strengthening exercises but I was wondering what I can do to help strengthen my leg muscles - that would not involve belonging to a gym? I sometimes do lunges or squats but am curious to hear other suggestions. Any ideas you can give me would be great! |
Summer I think you would be wise to look at an all over exercise program using body weight exercises. All parts of the body have some part to play in running.
You could include simple exercise such as push-ups, sit-ups, dips, chins, lunges, rope climbs; try some single leg squats.
Remember that running is always strengthening your legs.
By running hills you are doing a form of resistance traning; you are pushing your body weight.
Running in calf deep water builds leg strength as dose running on sand or over ploughed ground.
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SummerSails
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Posted: 07/26/07 - 10:33 Post subject:
Thanks for the help! I do sit-ups/crunches and push-ups now along with the arm toning exercises. I actually do not do a lot of hill runs but that is definitely something I can add to my trail each week. I have never tried running in water or on sand. I have heard that running on sand has a greater risk of injury.... is this true? I will definitely start doing some of the exercises that you both suggested to me. Thanks again!
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SummerSails
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Posted: 07/27/07 - 14:37 Post subject:
I was actually watching Regis and Kelly (I like morning shows) last night that I had Tivo'd from the week before and Kelly showed some of her fitness routine. She gave some good examples of leg exercises that I could do that would help tone and build muscle. She also did some arm exercises too that I hadn't thought of. Of course she also did cardio at the end. Who would have thought that I would learn something like that off of Regis and Kelly?!
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rmrgrs
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Posted: 07/27/07 - 21:52 Post subject:
who knew you could learn anything of value from tv?
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SummerSails
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Posted: 07/30/07 - 10:52 Post subject:
Haha, sometimes it's a shocker and you do find something of value :)
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Nik76
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Posted: 08/05/07 - 10:12 Post subject:
Hi Summer
I don't belong to a gym either. I just use a cheap set of plates, bar, and dumbbell handles. I mostly do a variation of squats, lunges, deadlifts, and goodmornings.
this site is really good at showing and explaining basic/varied moves:
http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html
for some different suggestions, some not using traditional equipment. this is a good site. she even has some moves to do with a bag of sand.
http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/displaysection.php?sid=3
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SummerSails
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Posted: 08/06/07 - 12:55 Post subject:
Thanks Nik for the ideas. What exactly are goodmornings??
Both sites are awesome! Sometimes I find toning and strength building exercises in magazines but they never explain very well how to actually do the exercise to get the most out of it. Both of these are great for that. And the second site has some very interesting around the home training ideas. I love it!
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Nik76
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Posted: 08/06/07 - 13:21 Post subject:
Hi Summer,
here's a goodmorning: exrx.net/WeightExercises/ErectorSpinae/BBBentKneeGoodMorning.html
these are good for the lower back but also work the bum and hamstrings.
I like the little animated moves; they've definitely helped me figure out some move I didn't understand in a magazine.
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SummerSails
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Posted: 08/06/07 - 13:51 Post subject:
Oh, so that's what goodmornings are. That's great! This is something that I could definitely do at home. My boyfriend has a set of weights - plates, bar, dumbbells that I use. I also love the animated moves. They're great and very helpful!
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