Hi,

I am new to strength training. I have been reading several books on the subject. Some exercises require a weight bench. I really don't want to invest in one just yet. Does anyone have any alternative ideas? I was thinking of maybe buying a long aerobic step. Do you think that would work, is it a stupid idea? Or can I just do the exercises on the floor?

Any ideas/opinions are welcome.

Thanks again!
Sherry

Hi Sherry! Welcome to LWL and come on and visit us on the main thread -- as my buddy Ilene always says: "we luvs newbies!"
(don't worry --she doesn't eat them for breakfast )

You are going to love strength training, both in how it makes you feel and how it makes you look. And it really helps with the weight loss, too!

About a bench -- I think the step idea is pretty nifty. I take a class at my gym called Powerflex -- weights set to music -- and we use steps for exactly the same purpose. We lie on it to do chest and triceps exercises -- you are off the floor enough to give you the proper range of motion for your arms and shoulders. And, of course, there's lots of fun leg exercises that use a step.

Let us know how it goes, OK?

Meg

Yeppers, we luvs newbies!!!

Not sure how much an aerobic step costs, but I got my rack bench at Play it Again Sports. They have standard benches too, and usually they are under $50. As a matter of fact, that's something high on my wish list right now. The rack keeps getting in the way of my flyes! Bah.

Good luck whichever method you use!

You could also try a Swiss Ball...you know, those big inflatable exercise balls - until you get a bench. I've done flyes, presses, squats, crunches, etc. using them in the past. INCREDIBLY versatile...

Mrs Jim that is a GREAT idea!! I'd been planning on getting one anyway, and it hadn't ocurred to me that I could use it like that! Thank you!

Thanks for everyone's ideas! I haven't bought anything yet, but hope to soon. I appreciate your input.

Thanks again,
sherry