Help with a Fitness routine

Hello!

This is my first day as a member of the DailyBurn group. First of all I’ll say that this is a very very well put together site. Lots of great info, tools here, and somehow I feel motivated just by signing up.

However, my main problem with workouts and exercise is my current “home gym”.
I have a set of weights, with 2.5, 5, and 10 pound weights. I do not have a gym membership (can’t afford it.. the student life is one of few luxuries).

My main question is:
What are simple exercises I can do at home with the help of the weights I own, and just simple cardio exercises that do not require anything but yourself (i.e. no machines, tools etc).
I currently go for walks nearly everyday for about an hour, and am planning to start running 20-30 minutes a day every morning once i gather the courage.

Any suggestions for a basic workout plan would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks very much!

I’m in a similar boat, except I don’t even have the weights! :)

There’s a lot you really can do with just body weight. For example, there are some fitness programs that only use bodyweight exercises in a circuit that gets your heart going as well. You can also do workout videos, which have come a very long way since the 80’s.

As far as cardio, I walk/run 5 days a week and then add in bodyweight exercises like pushups, situps, crunches, planks, etc. I also use a yoga video, but that’s mainly because I enjoy yoga. I know there are HIIT workouts that use only bodyweight as well and you could add in some exercises using the weights you have. Another good investment might be an exercise ball, which would open up a lot more exercises you could do.

I’ve been in a similar situation though I do have a bit more than you…..well, now a lot more. But, I didn’t start off that way.

First, if you’re a student does the school have a gym that you could use? That might be an alternative. But if not look up some of these exercises.

Upper Body:
Pushups, Elevated Pushups, Handstand Pushups
Pull ups, and Chin ups
Inverted Rows
Dips

Abs/Core:
Planks, Side Planks, Back Bridges
Hanging Leg Raises
Jack Knives on a swiss ball (thier cheap, you can afford one)
Saxon Side Bends

Lower Body:
Lunges!!!!
Body Weight Squats, Single Leg Squats, Split Squats
Good Mornings
Romanian Deadlifts, Single Leg Romanian Deadlifts, Suitcase Deadlifts.
Calf Raises, Single Leg Calf Raises

Give those a shot. Some are fairly easy with body weight (body weight squats) and some are very tough (single leg squats, pullups). The tougher ones will improve your strength while the easier ones will improve your endurance and overall conditioning.

Thanks very much guys!

About the exercise ball, it is something that’s on my list for a little while now. I will definitely get one at the next available chance.
I think I will slowly begin to do the basics (Pushups, planks, lunges and such).

Chaddukes, yes I am a student, only in the manner that I’m headed to college in September (1st year), and yes, then I’ll have access to the school gym (something I’m very much looking forward to). But for now I just want to get into a daily routine that will prepare me for the real workout I’ll face at the gym in the fall.

I’ll check out all the exercises you posted, and then I’ll post back with a routine I’ll put together myself tonight.. to see if I can get some feedback on what is more/less important, or what I should focus on.

Thanks again guys, I’m already impressed by the communal effort to help one another here.