Hi ladies,

I lurk here every once and awhile and I have a question. I'm doing a lot of workouts at home and I don't have a bench yet.

Here are things I can't do yet and I'd like to do:
1. Push-ups.
2. Squats.
3. Lunges.

For push-ups, I've been doing the yoga pose "plank." I am sooo bad at it. But that actually pleases me because it means when I do it, I'll improve.


I can't do a squat properly at all. I just don't have the muscles yets. So I have been doing a wall sit because it seemed like those things used the same muscles.


I have small dumbells right now. Just looking for any help for other exercises I could do.

Hi Jessica,

Do you have a workout ball? That can add a lot to an at home routine. You can do both ab and leg work on it. Also just sitting on it while you do curls, shoulder presses etc.
It's hard to just suggest things as I'm not sure what you already do. However I would suggest going to a library or a bookstore. There are a lot of exercise books and videos that will show you exercises that can be done at home with minimal equipment.
I suppose I could help more if you told me what you already do or what you looking for. Do you need upper body? Lower? Compound?
Let me know and I'll try to give you some actual ideas rather than just rambling on

Hi Jessica,
I would focus less on isometric holds and focus more on doing easier versions of the actual exercises. How about Box squats without any weight to build leg strength? You can use progressively lower "boxes" until you are squating freely.
This article offers instruction on how to work up to a push-up.

Jessica - WELL DONE! I'm just delighted that you're working out at home. (I sometimes lurk on the 100lb board.) I'm so proud of you! Are you using the treadmill as well? And get out that bike and dust it down!

Thanks for the ideas. I'm training for a triathlon in October. I buikding up my routine at home and it is sloooow going.

Stacy - Wow! I'm in San Diego too. I'm looking for more upper body and core activities.

Robert - Those burly men are just a bit intimidating. I think my friend once had me do this type of squat as well so I have a bit of a memory with these. Thanks for the article on push-up, that was really cool.

Silverbirch! - Hi there! Yep, the bike is coming out and the treadmill is being used. I love the idea of a tri because I think I have less of a risk of injuring myself with a nice rotation of the three. I think I have this tendancy to jump into things too fast and injure myself.

What a small world. I'm up in Carlsbad, are you actually in San Diego?

There's lots of stuff you can do at home with dumbells for your upper body. Basic curls, hammer curls, tricep kickbacks, tricep extensions, chest and shoulder press, a TON of others. As a bonus most of these exercises can be done while sitting or leaning on an exercise ball which would work your core. Or just on the ground or sitting in a chair. If your interested and let me know specifics (like how many times a week, how long you're willing to workout, etc) I would LOVE to make an upper body plan for you. I could even find photos for proper form. Let me know.

What can I say, I have a lot of time on my hands

Stacy - I'll PM you!