Succumbing to machines page

[Diana Renata]

Ok so with limited time/money, it appears I don't have a lot of choice in strength training and I've decided to give in and use the weight machines available at my college fitness center. I need to do *something* and something is definitely better than nothing.

Any suggestions/advice for making the most of using this infernal contraptions?

[FairyRae]

I'd look into the Body By Science stuff.

[Mike Gager]

umm... pushups, pullups, squats, planks. none of these cost any money to do and would be a million times better then the machines.

[Dr. Bork Bork]

Wall press, hand stands (and can graduate to doing pushups while in handstand stance)

also lifting toddlers & milk jugs!

[Knifegill]

Playground monkey bars. All a person needs and then some.

[Diana Renata]

I'd look into the Body By Science stuff.

Thanks, I'll look into that.

umm... pushups, pullups, squats, planks. none of these cost any money to do and would be a million times better then the machines.

Acknowledged, and while great in theory, I SUCK at motivating myself to do more than a few at random periods throughout the day. I need a fitness environment or it doesn't happen.

Wall press, hand stands (and can graduate to doing pushups while in handstand stance) also lifting toddlers & milk jugs!

I am (unfortunately) toddler-less. I do lift heavy spools at work, but that's far from a true workout. :/

Playground monkey bars. All a person needs and then some.

I love the playground! Unfortunately getting to one at ass-crack early ain't happening for me... and winter's coming.

[Sanctus Real]

I am quite similar to you. I belong to a gym, because I know I won't work out if I don't make it part of my schedule to go to a gym and lift. I can't work out at home, too many distractions (like a 5 year old and a 7 year old). That being said, I don't really use the equipment at the gym, except for the dumbbells. I get too dizzy doing jackknife presses, doing anything upside down. So, I do overhead presses instead. Not as good, but I'm fairly sure that Sisson didn't mean for me to make myself sick while working out, so you do what you gotta do.

Since I need the gym for a psychological crutch and for the gym nursery, so here's what I do: M-W-F: Walk 30-45 minutes, depending on my day's schedule, Do Sisson's 5 Essential Movements (push-ups, pull-ups, squats, overhead press, planks), about 1 hr 15 min; T-T: Walk on the treadmill again, at least for an hour. I have to walk on the treadmill, unfortunately, for my Move Slowly stuff. I have some orthopedic stuff that prevents me from doing much else. I've never seen a gym that didn't have a pull-up bar or a small area where you can do planks and such, except for my college gym in the early 90's, which was really more of a walk-in closet than a gym. I think they were more concerned about the sports teams' gyms than the people who actually paid to go to school there, but I'm not bitter, lol. They did have a pull-up bar, just no place to do exercises that don't require equipment.

[js290]

Any suggestions/advice for making the most of using this infernal contraptions?

BODY BY SCIENCE (VIDEO 11): WENDY McGUFF’S BIG 4 WORKOUT (Part 1) »
BODY BY SCIENCE TRAINING (VIDEO 7): STEPHANIE ARNOLD - PART ONE »

[Dr. Bork Bork]

I am (unfortunately) toddler-less.

Borrow one if you have neighbors, LOL. Offer to watch them so neighbors can go have some adult time. You can easily use said toddler for bench press if you get to play wrestling. Grace thinks it's hilarious when I bench press her 30 lb little body

[Diana Renata]

I would love to do that if/when I get the time. It'd be good Mama practice!

FWIW, my schedule is as follows.

Monday/Wednesday- Work 8:30am-5:00pm
Class/homework 6:00-9:00pm

Tuesday/Thursday- Yoga 7:00am-8:25am
Work 8:30am-5:00pm
Algebra 6:00pm-8:10pm

Friday: Work 8:30am-5:00pm
Java Therapy 6:30pm-10:00pm

Gym/Workout time will be Mon/Wed/Friday from 6:30am-8:00am. Really that is the only time I have to use the fitness center on campus.

Weekends are a mish-mash of studying, homework, online courses, housework, cooking, and what socialization I can squeeze in.

Of course this will ALL change come next semester and I'll have to start all over again.