You Need to Learn How to Workout Anywhere

One of the issues I have with people only doing fitness training in a gym or a group class, is that when they can't make it to the fitness facility or class, they usually don't workout. This is especially true for people who only workout on large machines such as weight machines or elliptical trainers. One of the main reasons people join gyms, is so they can have access to a wide array of equipment without having to go broke buying it for home use. The problem is, that when you can't go to the gym or class, you have no idea how to fit in a cardio or strength session with little or no equipment and/or space.

When you travel for business or pleasure, or become unable to make it to the gym for weather or scheduling reasons, or simply just don't feel like driving 30 minutes for a 30 minute workout, you should know how to workout right where you are with whatever is available. This can be in your office at work, a hotel room when traveling, a park or other outdoor area, or right in your house or apartment. Sure gyms are available in hotels, but how many people (especially women) feel comfortable going to the hotel gym or any other strange gym alone?

Many personal trainers will only train you on equipment you don't have at home, or with methods you can't do alone. They do this so that you become dependent on them, and feel that you can only get a good workout when you are training with them. This way you keep coming back to them week after week, and become a regular. I believe in the, "give someone a fish and feed them for a day, teach someone to fish and feed them for a lifetime", school of thought.

It is very important to learn bodyweight exercises, and how to exercise using portable equipment such as bands, kettlebells or jump ropes. In addition, you should become proficient in utilizing everyday items such as water jugs, cans of food and furniture as substitutes for weights and equipment. Dips on a chair, push ups, lunges and calf raises done on stairs, as well as core exercises on your sofa, and doing balance training while brushing your teeth are all great ways to workout in a hurry. Cardio can be done while running stairs or in place, utilizing exercises such as jumping jacks and mountin climbers, as well as a jump rope. A complete strength and cardio circuit can be done in a 6' x 6' area in as little as fifteen minutes.

Take charge of your health, and get real about your fitness training. Learn the skills and methods to keep yourself fit forever without going broke.

Stephen Stern, BS, CPT

Common Sense Fitness

605 Washington Avenue

North Haven Ct, 06473

www.comsenfit.com

203-530-1811

stepstern@comcast.net