At-Home Workouts (with the Ugi Ball, a sand bag, and the Equalizer…and how to improvise)

I like to work out at home—it’s easier than going to the gym (even though I have a gym one block from my house), and it’s simpler than going to a personal trainer (the one I like is 35 minutes from my house). I don’t need a trainer—I have a degree in exercise science. I am a certified fitness specialist by the Cooper Institute and a certified Health/Fitness Instructor by the American College of Sports Medicine. But often, I am way better at designing other people’s (clients’) workouts than I am at designing my own. Over the years though, I have come up with some great tools and fast workout ideas that I can implement at home for myself. Even when I’m renting and I can’t jump up and down and be loud all over the place.

I decided this would be the weekend I’d start making videos. And boy, did I ever! I have three to share. Sorry about the flashes in some of the videos—the wind was blowing and I think the wind/sun combo caused that. {You will never hear me complain about too much sun, so I decided to just go with this!}

The first one is just me talking about what at-home equipment I like best (and how to improvise if you don’t want to buy anything).

The second is my warm-up that I always do for my at-home workouts (and often in yoga classes I teach as well).

The third is an overview look at what the exercises were that I did in my own at-home workout this weekend (note: the video only shows each exercise with some variations to make the exercises more difficult if you choose to, not the whole workout).

Here’s the first one:

Here’s the second one:

 

Here’s the third one:

The workout:

Squat and Overhead Press with Sandbag (add low bicep curl)

Step back lunges with sandbag on shoulder

Split Squat with sandbag row to side

Burpee with shoulder press (add push-ups and jump)

Deep Squats with Ugi up to 75%

Single Leg Deadlift with Ugi

Dips on the Equalizer (no video)

 

Do 12-20 reps of each one. Repeat up to 3 times. Choose your rep number by your fatigue level! You should feel like you are not sure you could do another rep when you stop. Rest for 30 seconds between sets.

 

News/Notes: I’ve been busy this weekend! Aside from videotaping myself, I’ve met up with friends and also have done quite a bit of work. The online education world is slightly unpredictable in the summer. I have extra classes for one university and no communication from my manager at another. I’m trying not to be frustrated, but I don’t have an extraordinary amount of patience for people not communicating what is happening (even if it’s to tell me there’s no course for me to teach) in a timely manner. But…either way, I have enough to do right now!

The weather is great, and I’m looking forward to many things this week—I have work, time with my mom to celebrate my sister’s birthday, and relatives from California coming into town. I am also planning a baby shower for next weekend, and can’t wait to see everyone who’ll come to town for that.

I have an in-depth post coming soon about detoxing and cleansing, and I’m really excited about the info—but it’s taking me slightly longer than I expected to get it all together. You’ll be the first to see it, I promise 🙂

Do you work out at home? 

What equipment do you use? 

Have you made your own equipment or improvised for your at-home workouts?

Have you tried an Ugi, sandbag, or Equalizer?