I miss a lot of things about the gym: semi-lazy elliptical sessions while watching the in-machine TV, buddy sessions with a trainer, towels that I don't have to wash myself. But I think I miss the free weights the most.
Sometimes these days when I'm feeling motivated to move (but not motivated enough to get out of the house!) I do what one of my trainers called the "prison workout":
The "Prison Workout"5 sets of the following, done in succession with optional 30 second rest in between each set, or at the end of the superset:jumping jacks (30 seconds)lunges (15 reps each side)squats (15)crunches (15)pushups (15)
It's been a while since I did a full prison workout (my current MO is 3 sets of 10 reps), but it's a great way to just get moving, since 1) you don't need any equipment, and 2) you can work in a small space.
But sometimes, I just want to move some weights around! So this morning, I experimented with some alternative around-the-house free weights:
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| A Costco-sized handle of Smirnoff is just the right weight for some tricep kick-backs. The handle is a bonus. |
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| A mobile car battery charger (also from Costco, I believe) is a good kettleball alternative for Russian twists (seen here) and woodchoppers. My black lab, Petri (in the background) is not impressed. |
A bit silly, to be sure, but also fun! It's a fine alternative if you're house-ridden, not a member of a gym, or otherwise looking for enough motivation to move around.
I'll admit it, the only way I could get myself to do anything this morning was by allowing myself to watch TV (Jim Gaffigan's Beyond the Pale special) while doing my sets. Hot Pocket...