Newbie hello and help please? (Bodyweight exercises?)

Hi folks, I'm Andy, I'm in my mid 20's, just out of University. Through my teens I was relatively fit, healthy and happy with myself. Over the last few years my lifestyle has slipped a bit - I stopped participating in any sports, let my gym membership drop and in the last year or so really let myself go a bit.

At the moment I'm 14 stone at 5 foot 9. I've a decent belly and a nice set of man-boobs coming on that I'm not overly happy with... More importantly though I'd like some of my stamina, strength, flexibility and energy back from a few years ago!

I've just enough money at the moment to keep a roof over my head and some food in my belly - so joining the gym isn't an option (but hopefully my degree might prove of SOME use and that'll change over the next few months). At the moment I'm making an effort to 'eat better': not the strictly regiment routines some of you guys are on but an improvement on where I was a few weeks ago and in general knowing what's in my food because I put it there and why, kind of thing... I've taken up running again (mixing up longer runs with this hiit business).

The next thing on my list to look into is some bodyweight exercising, I remember reading a few articles around about what lads in prison would do if they have no access to weights but can't seem to find them.

I've had a bit google the last few days and turned up this type of thing:
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/basictraining.htm
http://koreantaekwondo.tripod.com/articles/exercises.htm


I remember "burpee's" from years ago and have been trying a few of the others out on my way back from running (thank god pavements and fresh air are free!).

I'm kind of looking for any advice / opinions on what is good useful stuff to start building up before I can afford to get back in the gym. Or any other input at all is welcome...

# I know this isn't strictly MuscleTalk style stuff, but I've lurked here in the past, and hopefully I can get more on topic when I can get into the gym. Also - hi everyone. 

No gym, no weights, no problem my man.

For upper body get some gymnastics rings like the ones here: http://www.ringtraining.com/.  It'll cost you about £50 to get these but they are excellent & can be used anywhere e.g. football/rugby crossbar, swings in the park.

For lower body do pistol squats, jumps & sprints.

This lot will give you a great full body workout.

Hello and welcome to MT.

Tony has a journal where he's using bodyweight and low cost kit, it's here:
http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/tm.aspx?m=3531385

The main problems with having no kit are pulling exercises, pushing is easy but finding ways to pull at different angles can be difficult.

Drew Price BSc MSc
Nutritionist and S&C coach
facebook.com/DrewPriceNutritionist
 
 
 

you could devise yourself a circuit. Would help with getting you back into shape with both stamina and strength.  You could get yourself a dumbell set and then open up alot more exercises. Can pickup a cheap 15k set in Argos for around £20.

Add in some running and you'll be back in shape in no time.

As aboev would be a good idea to pick up a cheap set of weights and equipment (ie a couple of dumbbells and a pull up bar and then pretty sorted really)