DIY Fitness
 One of the obvious benefits of joining a gym is the variety of equipment that is available to 
 change up workouts when  you get bored. The old saying, “necessity is the mother of all 
 inventions,” completely applies here.  Using a little ingenuity and creativity can make for 
 fun and intense workouts, while keeping the cost down. Here are a few ideas for those that 
 are at  stuck at home or might not be able to afford gym equipment. 

 Equipment
 Medicine ball-take sand and use a funnel to pour into a  small hole into an old basketball.  
 Wrap  a towel around it then duct tape the entire thing.
 
 Barbell-get  a 6-7ft pvc pipe, then fill with sand, rocks, water or cement.  Use something 
 that moves like water to work  the core.
 
 Suspension trainer-If you can find 6-7ft of strong rope, cut two  6-7 inch pvc handles then 
 use a climbing knot to tie them on.
 
 Dumbbells-Water/Milk  jugs filled with water a 1 gallon jug ways 8lbs.  Two of these with a 
 broom stick can make a  quick barbell and weight.  
 
 Chains-take  an old pair of link chains and hang them around your neck for many exercises or 
 drop them over the end of a broomstick to simulate barbell movements with  weight.
 
 Pushups-using  balls (tennis, baseball) in your hands instead of doing flat pushups will stress
 your muscles and grip in a whole new way.  Also, you can use old phone books for offset or depth 
 pushups or even raising your feet. If you have a bunch tape some  together to make even pairs.
 
 Slippers-using  shoe pullover covers on a kitchen floor is a great way to simulate speed skating
 for a great leg and core workout. 
 
 Jump rope-finding  an old string and using straws with tape can be an easy way to fashion handles
 on a rope for a quick cardio workout. 
 
 Pull-ups-  if you have now here to do pull-ups then just stabilize a door so it won’t swing and
 grab the top of the door keeping your knees locked and toes against it.  Using socks makes you 
 slide a little easier.
         
           …For  more information and tips, check my website, www.chadamartin.com.