
Some days you just can’t make it to the gym. Whether it be due to COVID-19 or one of our Pure Michigan snowstorms, sometimes we just can’t make it out of the house. In these cases, there are plenty of options for at-home workouts that involve weights. If you don’t have dumbbells at home, you can easily substitute with objects found in your cupboard or around the house.
Here are some options on the days that you aren’t able to go out.
- 1Gallon of water. These weigh roughly eight pounds and can be used for lifting and squatting with ease because of their handles.
- 2Backpack or bag filled with books. Adding a bit of weight to your routine can intensify any workout and most people have these around their house.
- 3Soup can. For some lighter weight, another option is a soup can, which could be used for bicep curls or tricep extensions. A small can is typically around one pound and a large can is usually around two pounds.
- 4Heavy book. If you have old textbooks, dictionaries, or encyclopedias lying around, these can be used for lifting in workouts.
- 5Paint cans. Because of their handles, paint cans can be used for a variety of exercises. Plus, it gives you an excuse to keep that collection of paint that most people have in their garage!
- 6Bags of rice. With the option for different sized bags, this household object’s weight can be adjusted depending on what you have in your pantry.
- 7Body weight. There are plenty of workouts that only use body weight to exercise, like squats, lunges, or bridges for example. The internet has tons of options for bodyweight exercises that can be easily found.