Building Muscle Without Weights: Can It Be Done?
By Genevieve Cunningham
Building muscle is an important part of staying fit. While it's great (and important) to burn excess fat, it looks, feels, and functions best if we have strong muscles underneath. And let's don't forget that muscles are important for daily functions -- for work and play and regular tasks. For a lot of people, building muscle is all about lifting weights. They hit the gym hard and it shows. But what if you don't have access to a gym or weights for some reason? Luckily, it's still possible to build strong and capable muscles. If you need to focus on strength without weights, take a look at these tips for getting you moving in the right direction.
You Can Use Resistance
Resistance is a great alternative to weights. A lot of people skip resistance bands because they don't feel as challenging, but the truth is that they can be as challenging as you want them to be. There are resistance bands that are light, and there are some that are incredibly heavy. Either way, resistance bands can challenge the body and the muscles in the same manner as weights. Find a variety of bands, add them to your normal workout, and your muscles will be challenged and enhanced without ever lifting at all.
You Can Use Body Weight
Your body is a weight. If you don't have access to weights or you just don't want to acquire and keep up with your own equipment, you can just use your body. While it will take longer to see massive results, doing body weight squats, lunges, push-ups and similar exercise can help change your body and build your muscles. The key for calisthenics-based workouts is to make a plan and stick with it. If you can understand the long-term nature of these workouts, you won't be let down by their slow but steady bodybuilding ways.
You Can Use Other Kinds of Equipment
Anything can be a weight. Cans of food, water-filled milk jugs, old tires. Anything that you can easily grab and lift can be a weight. Get creative if you have to. Look around your house and your property for things that will challenge your muscles and give you a great workout. Creativity with weights can save you money, keep your workout moving in the right direction, and help you build strong muscles without worrying about hitting the gym for weights.
Building a great body and feeling good in your skin isn't about having the perfect equipment. It's not about brand new weights or the perfect weightlifting program. It's about getting serious about your health and sticking to a plan -- whatever that plan may be! Use these tips to keep weights in your life without worrying over the gym or buying a brand new home set. With the right attitude and some persistence, you can build strong muscles and a fit body in no time at all.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Pasadena, Calif.