At Home Resistance Training Exercises That Get Results

You may not be a mountain climber, but you still need to make resistance training a part of your fitness plan. The following strength training exercises can be done in the comfort and privacy of your home.

Use a resistance band to tone your upper body. Grasp an end of the resistance band in either hand and then step on the middle of the band. Use the resistance provided by the band as you lift your hands up in front of your body, and then to the sides of your body, engaging your biceps, tripceps, and shoulders as you pull and release. As you determine which moves work which muscle sets the most effectively, develop a routine using your unique pulls. Repeat until your hit muscle failure, rest, and repeat again.

Next you can use your weight to further challenge your upper body muscles. Try getting into the traditional push up position to start. After you've worked through tradition push ups, move into a plank position and remain there, engaging your abs. Rest again, and ease your way into downward dog, with your legs straight and your arms stretched in front of you, your body forming a triangle. Hold the position, allowing your shoulders to take the brunt of the weight. Give everything a good stretch and work through the poses again.

Next you can challenge your lower body with the resistance band. Step into the center of resistance band and pull it up so it hooks on your ankles, and then walk sideways across the room, making sure you have to work against the band with every step. Side walk, using the band for resistance, from side to side until you feel the muscles fatiguing. Then switch tactics, standing on one foot and extending the other leg in a front, then side, then back kick, each time challenging the band. Be certain to switch legs and continue to extend or kick the legs until you are certain you've worked them enough.

You can also work your lower body simply by using your own weight. Slide into a squatting position, engaging your buttocks, keeping your legs at a 90-degree angle. When you fatigue, stand up, stretch a bit, and then repeat the squat again.

All of these exercises will tone you up, at minimum cost to you. Invest in a good set of resistance bands for maximum home workout results.