Strength Training Workout without a Gym [Infographic]

The times of expecting to have to hit the gym for strong muscle tone and carved definition are over. The 1980s aerobic fitness videos did not lie, friends, a sturdy and sculpted body can be created at home. Gyms have their appeal, but truthfully, for lots of people—they don’t. Whether you’re someone who doesn’t care for the crowds, heavily shared equipment, or some other aspect of gym culture—there are alternatives.

CLICK TO VIEW INFOGRAPHIC

Meeting the Goal of Strength Training

Strength training involves the use of resistance for contracting muscles to build strength, endurance, and muscular composition. It is done popularly in the gym for their access to varied equipment such as machines and Olympic style free weights.

Other forms of working out that are more of a cardiovascular challenge are not often associated with strength training. However, it is how the muscle is being exercised that determines whether or not strength is being expanded upon.

Strength Training 101

Contracting your muscles for building strength is mostly about applying the right amount of pressure, for the right amount of time. What this means is working the muscles past comfortable exertion. Resistance workouts without full gym equipment have a knack for feeling easy to begin with. Getting in those first few reps might feel misleadingly easy, but the reinforcement of repeated and steady tension can work well to expand muscle capability.

Keep in mind that there are many ways to strength train and that this is just one approach. These workouts may all be used in conjunction with dumbbells, ankle weights, or other added resistance. But, for this infographic’s sake, let’s stick to bands.