Step Outside The Box
Most people have a huge misconception when it comes to fitness and working out. They have this narrow view of the possibilities that are available.
O’ God, I don’t want to spend hours on a treadmill and waiting to be next on chest press machine. I don’t have time to drive to the gym, besides it is such a pick up fest there!
These are just some of the typical responses I hear. I agree that if you only look at the typical workout routine and gym these things might be true. However, there is a whole world out there that they have not explored. There is a whole workout culture of people who workout anywhere that interests them. They use their bodyweight, every day items, and even stones and heavy branches.
I must confess I am one of these people. I get bored very easily, especially just using weight machines. This has caused me to be less then consistent with my workouts in the past. However, now that I have stepped outside of the box, my workouts are shorter, more intense, and much more fun. In fact, I would say that it is almost addicting coming up with new ways to work my body.
Getting started
One of the ways that I first started was watching the Worlds Strongest Man competition on TV. This has become a yearly event for me to watch every December. Most people sit there and marvel at the strength of these athletes. At first I did too, until I realized that what they were doing on TV I could be doing as a workout.
Think about it flipping tires, pulling objects with a thick rope, and lifting stones among other things can give you a great workout. If you look at any elite athlete that needs power for their sport, they are starting to incorporate this type of training into their workouts. They know how effective it can be.
Here is my challenge to you. First, watch a strongman competition on TV the next time it’s on. While you’re watching brain storm how you can do some of the lifts at home. Here are a few ways to get you started:
- Fill a wheelbarrow and push it around the yard for time
- Find a heavy stone and pick it up for reps
- Get a sand bag to lift and carry across the yard
- Find a old tire and tie a rope to it, put something heavy on the tire and pull it
These are just a few quick ideas. If you are creative, you’ll be able to find many more.
Secondly, start looking at every day items and finding a way to exercise with it. After a while, it becomes a game of how many exercises could I do with this object. This summer I did a whole workout with just the picnic table. I was breathing heavy and beat afterwards. So not only did I get a great workout, but I didn’t have to drive to a gym and be stuck inside.
I look forward to hearing what you all come up with. It’s always fun to share creative exercises with others.
Yours in Health
p.s. looking for more exercises check this out http://tinyurl.com/9fp2fe
