exercise suggestions for toning muscles in my body

  • So, I'd love to have a few suggestions of exercises I could do to tone any muscle of my body and who don't need any equipment at all (not even weights). I already do push-ups and sit-ups and run, what other exercises could I do that don't need any equipment.
  • I would suggest yoga and pilates. Both build/tone (whatever you want to call) it long lean muscle. Maybe try some squats, lunges and dips. Pilates will definatly help your core.
  • Squats, lunges and bench dips are great body resistant exercises. You definitely don't need weight when you're first starting out. There are also lots of different variations on the types of squats and lunges you can do. It's very important to make sure you have proper form though to avoid injury. Sometimes you can find videos of the proper techniques on youtube. I'd suggest starting with static lunges and a basic squat and then progressing from there into more dynamic movements.

    The plank is also fantastic for toning your arms/core.

    Edit: And I just realized I pretty much said verbatim what CandyKisses said... Great minds think alike!
  • Quote: I would suggest yoga and pilates. Both build/tone (whatever you want to call) it long lean muscle. Maybe try some squats, lunges and dips. Pilates will definatly help your core.
    Ditto!!
  • rockstar you are so right! lol i do the plank every day i knows its a good exercise but HATE it. When i was in the military they called it the "thinking position" so i always think of having someones feet under my belly and a book on my back making sure i wasnt screwing it up.
  • Quote: rockstar you are so right! lol i do the plank every day i knows its a good exercise but HATE it. When i was in the military they called it the "thinking position" so i always think of having someones feet under my belly and a book on my back making sure i wasnt screwing it up.
    ROFL, that *would* ruin it

    But I have been doing plank daily for over 3 months, and it has done amazing things I don't quite love it, but at least now it's not the agony it was at first.
  • Do you have a staircase in your house?
    I've been doing pushups (facing the steps), then flip over and do dips (facing away from the steps), then you can so step ups (stepping up and down the steps). Besides the others already mentioned, try calf raises too.
  • In addition to everything these ladies said, there are other planks you can do to work your buttocks while you're working your core.

    Lay down facing floor, resting on forearms and balls of feet, clasp palms together and straighten legs (you're in a Forearm Plank position). Flex your right foot and lift it 12 inches off the floor. Slowly move it out to a 45 degree angle, and slowly return. Keep your shoulders down and relaxed and try to keep your hips stationary.

    There are some others on my blog if you're interested. I don't have a gym near by, so I've had to workout at home for a long time. For a while I didn't have extra money to buy equipment. But over time I've bought a dumbbell here and there, an exercise band, step, etc.