I have just moved back to Colorado and love all the outdoor hiking I am getting to do, but I know I need to add strength training. Will weight bearing exercises be enough to start with? I live too far to join a gym right now and I am limited to a small area to work out.

I don't go to the gym and my basement suite is tiny (with a husband and 2 dogs that like to get underfoot). You can totally workout and get great results at home!! I have! I run around my neighbourhood 6 days a week for about 30-40 minutes and three times a week (at least) I do strength training using resistance bands. My tiny living room is just big enough for my husband and I to do the training together. We also add full body planks and push ups. We started at the end of July and I have muscles I never knew were there! I recommend resistance bands because you don't need a ton of space for them and they are easy to store. Make sure you're putting your all into it and you will see results. You don't have to use the gym for fitness. It is just a useful place where there are machines and equipment that can help.

I recently purchased a Suspension Trainer, and OMG, it's so good! All you need is that and a doorway to hang it from. Seriously, that's it.

Resistance bands are also great.

You can absolutely strength train with minimal equipment in your home.

I don't do any weight training...
just walking
running
hiking
elliptical with arms
just many many miles

I love hiking in CO too! It's my favorite activity. Just went to Golden Gate Canyon this weekend, it was so beautiful.

I really fell off the strength training this summer in favor of hiking/running, but I can tell you what I've done in the past and plan to eventually ramp up on. I tried out the gym for several months, but it just isn't my thing. I save up the money I would have spent on a membership and purchase equipment for home.

Equipment free, I like to do kickboxing, basic exercises like push ups, sit ups, squats, lunges, and different variations on these I've found online. I found pilates a good challenge and though I can't get into yoga, I'm going to be giving yoga for athletes a shot this week. I use free videos from my cable provider for the kickboxing, pilates, and yoga. You could also just try googling for some videos and/or purchase DVDs.

If you'd like to invest some money, the equipment I get the best use out of are an exercise ball, hand weights, kettle bell, and a resistance band. I especially like that I can easily take the resistance band with me when I travel. None of this equipment takes much room to store, except the ball which is a bit large.

For a bit more money...I purchased a relatively inexpensive rowing machine (~$170). It's nothing fancy, and when I'm not using it the oars fold to the body and I stand it up in the corner (and it fits in my small front closet if company is coming). It's a good total body workout and easy to squeeze in 30 min in the evening, especially if I forgot to do something earlier in the day.

You can definitely get a decent strength training work out at home. I have a simple set of bowflex selecttech dumbbells and a bench and I've seen results from just using those. Some day I would like to have an actual dedicated home gym, but for right now this is working really well for me....

So it can definitely be done... Good luck with your home work outs...

Thank you so much for all the replies. I have a set of 10 pound weights, a step bench and a kettle bell. I'm not sure what to do with the kettle bell. I guess I'm afraid I'll hurt my back if I don't do it right. I have lost 35 pounds, but I think I would do better if I added strength training. I did have a exercise ball but the plug was lost through the move. I plan to start tomorrow so we'll see what I come up with

Thanks,
Amy