Over the past few weeks we did some pretty effective leg, tricep, and chest exercises. What about biceps and back? No weights you say? Don’t feel that just because you don’t have any weights at home, that you can’t get a GREAT bicep and back workout!
Lets try these:
Bent Over Row– A full gallon milk jug weighs approximately 8 pounds. Fill it to the weight you want. Hold in one hand (if you can use 2 containers, one in each hand). Bend at the waist to about 90 degrees and slightly bend the knees. Let arms hang straight down. Pull your elbow(s) up, pulling the jug towards your chest. This is a good back and bicep exercise! Do 3 sets of 8-12 reps.
Bicep Curls– Hold a bottle of laundry detergent and curl it similar to a dumbbell. Arms straight at your sides. Bend elbow to bring soap towards same shoulder, squeeze. Do 3 sets of 8-12 reps.
Modified Pull-Ups (works muscles in back, shoulders, and biceps)Use two chairs(seat of chair) and a broom handle or a pole – a heavy broom handle works well. Caution: make sure the broom handle is able to hold your weight, also the chairs must be stable! Lie on your back underneath the bar or broom handle. Grab onto the bar with a underhand grip. Pull up. Do 3 sets of 6-10 reps.
If you have weights…great join in!
Modify by doing less reps for each set if necessary.
Are you ready for the bicep and back challenge?
Good luck!
“Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”
-Edward Stanley
29 users commented in " Bicep and Back Challenge "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackGreat exercises! I always have to concentrate on keeping my back long and straight for the bent over row so that I don’t arch it.
If laundry detergent isn’t handy, beer mugs work equally well!
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@Sagan, Ha! Good one! π
These look great. I am always looking for great back exercises. Thanks!
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@Rachel, Good luck! π
Hahaha…loved the safety reminder on the modified pushups. I had a vision of the broom cracking in two and the chairs caving in on some poor, unsuspecting person… π
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@Zandria, Yes, please please be careful! π
I love me some bent over rows.
well love to HATE em anyway π
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@Miz, They do fall into the love/hate category!
I’m ready…I’ll use weights…just the challenge I need for my upper body – my legs are still screaming from some squat work over the weekend…
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@Lance, Great job with your workouts Lance!
Isn’t it amazing all the “equipment” we have around the house! Your great ideas are taking away all the excuses for not just doing it π
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@Dr. J, You hit it right on the head!
I’m thinking of adding hand weights to my DVD walking exercise. They do a lot of arm movements and the added weights should give me more of a workout.
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@DC Watts, Great idea!
haha i love the stick figure row demo. adorable.
Kelly Turner
http://www.groundedfitness.com
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@Grounded Fitness, π
Wow, all great for isolating the arms. I can’t wait to try them…but not for several weeks. Gotta have some shoulder surgery in a few days.
peace,
mike
livelife365
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@Mike, Good luck with the surgery! Hope all is ok.
I’m with GF…the stick figures are greats π
The milk carton is a good idea…except that I drink soy milk (from a carton). I’ll have to look for substitues around the house.
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@Diana, Laundry detergent? π
I love to get creative at home – where I workout. Milk cartons have helped me many a times! Great ideas.
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@Stacey, Thanks Stacey!
Great challenge, thanks! My triceps are sore from Sunday, so I think doing biceps is just what I need tomorrow.
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@Juicebox.mom, Good luck!
Ok, I’ve been looking, now I’m ready to take on a challenge or two. Will the bent over rows firm up the back too? Got two little fat pockets I can’t get rid of!
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@DaDivaStreet, Great for muscle strength and toning….include diet and cardio. into the mix
I’m ready for the challenge π
@eatingbender, Good for you!
great challenge Mark! Especially those horizontal pullups–those are a killer move! Oh, I too love the stick people!
@LindaM, They are indeed!
Great ideas. This goes well with my Blog Action Day post about cheap ways to stay fit — everyone has this “equipment” at home.
@Pamela, Very true…thanks!
Who would have known you could do so much with milk jugs and detergent? Love the creativity!
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@FatFighterTV, There is always a way! π
Great ideas! Tried to use the kitties as weights but they wouldn’t cooperate…
The pullups are hard, my gym has those strap things that are attached to the ceiling and we do pull-ups on those. Ouch!
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@Missicat, I can’t imagine the cats were very excited to be involved in the exercise! π
i love the stick figure guy doing the bent-over rows!
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@T, π
I’m all over this like white on rice. Except that I will be doing it in the gym. I don’t have killer biceps like Mizfit but in time I will…
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@chris, You will get there!
Okay Mark. You are motivating me to quit being lazy. These stretch-marked abs aren’t going to be a six-pack if I dotn’ get on the ball. ? for you though. What is a good way to get rid of the saddlebags on my butt-thigh (yep I made that up) and NOT make my thighs blow up massively? Being a former soccer player, my legs build muscle fast–which makes it hard to get lean, toned legs. TIA!
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@KD, lighter weights and more reps tend to work for me. Feel the burn! π
all great suggestions~ I have been lazy in the weights the past 2 wks. I need to get back to it. I will try these! Always milk in the fridge with 4 kiddos around π
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@Annette, Go get it! π
I’ve told my patients in the past that they don’t need to buy weights in order to strength train. They can just use their household items, like cans or a bag of rice or beans. Nice post! π
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@Talli, Absolutely!
great ideas and I just love the stick peeps:)
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@bobbi, me too!
Got it! Tonight while I watch the debate I’ll also be doing my bicep work. Thanks!
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@Stacey, Great work!
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