Exercise without gym equipment (muscle, lifting, pushups, press)

[raison_d'etre]

I am looking for exercise techniques that do not require a gym membership or expensive equipment. I would like to lose 50lbs+, but cannot afford going to the gym, or buying much equipment. I can probably afford some weights and the cheaper stuff. Also, I live in an apartment so space is also an issue.

[Mark_22]

Get running/walking shoes and a chinning bar.

[TabulaRasa]

Walk everywhere you can walk.

[oneasterisk]

There are plenty of exercises you can do without any equipment just by using your body weight. Lunges, squats, tricep dips using a table. Water jug for weights. Resistance bands are pretty cheap and you can do a ton of exercises with them. Check CL, you can find some used equipment there for really cheap.

[Ohiogirl81]

Go outside and walk. Get a good pair of running shoes -- you can buy decent shoes for as little as $50 -- and hit the pavement.

Resistance bands and hand weights are inexpensive and versatile.

And, there's plenty you can do just using the weight of your body as resistance.

Good luck!

[locolobo13]

Losing weight is going to be mostly cardio. Start with walking, then increase the intensity, running, hiking hills, etc. If you have a bicycle it is a great way to burn calories.

Strength training is good as well. As mentioned there are a lot of ways to exercise using your bodyweight:

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/basictraining.htm

http://www.military.com/military-fitness/workouts/who-needs-gym

http://www.military.com/fitness-center/military-fitness/workouts/archive

http://extremebodyweightworkouts.com/

Weight lifting can be more efficient sometimes:

http://www.building-muscle101.com/weight-lifting-routines.html

http://exercise.about.com/cs/exbeginners/a/begstrength.htm

You can google bodyweight exercises or weight lifting routines for lots more. Good luck.

[raison_d'etre]

Wow. Thanks everyone, this really helps.

[LittleDolphin]

Have you ever heard about the exercises designed for the Royal Canadian Air Force? They're terrific!!

Here's a link that shows the exercises in illustrations. There are variations for men and women. You can start slow and build up. No equipment required--just your determination...

Royal Canadian Air Force Exercises

[hoffdano]

Look up Herschel Walker. He was a Heisman trophy winner for Georgia, and an NFL running back. He trained with pushups, situps, and running (plus all the usual football drills). He was also a track star with an incredible physique. Many have doubted he could achieve what he has without weights - but even at 48 he is incredibly fit with his fitness routine.

[grmi66]

You can also get a heck of a workout with a filled sandbag. Just get a canvas bag from an Army/Navy surplus store, some zip ties and I have found that wood stove pellets work the best. Once you fill it you can do rows, hold it front of you to do squats, throw it on your shoulder to do lunges or step ups, press it over your head. Pretty good for a variety of exercises and costs less than $20 to build.

A good jump rope is less than $10 and another great thing for a low budget home gym.

Just remember to get the best results you want to do at least three basic body movements, a push, a pull and squats. Do some pushups, pullups and some sort of squat on a consistant basis and you will see results. This workout is so easy that it is hard.