Exercise Ideas ,,, WITHOUT Spending $$$ !

[stuckmotor]

You've already used my idea. Some of the most well developed muscles I saw in my youth were on a chain gang prisoner who was spreading dirt with a shovel.

 

[Big Barn]

You’re off to an awesome start with your good attitude. Variety is key.

Planks are very effective. Don’t worry so much about duration as proper form. I have to use a mirror to check I am not “cheating”. Make a conscious effort to engage your core throughout the day.

Pushups can be fun. Set up a chin-up /pull-up bar. Outdoors would be great and you could use it at random times. Otherwise buy one that fits in your door frame. They are inexpensive.

Wall squats can be done almost anywhere. Google for proper form if you are unsure.

Drink LOTS of water. Stretching is your friend. Have fun.

 

[deserteagle71]

I'm having an awful time getting enough exercise this year. Used to be I had several cords of wood to split - the rounds were up to 3' in diameter and I used a 12 lb splitting maul and 3 big wedges. Doing that every day or so was wonderful aerobic exercise. But I went to a pellet stove this winter - too difficult to find firewood in this area. Lifting a bag of pellets once a day just isn't making it, and walking/hiking in snow is no fun and dangerous besides.

 

[bigtiller]

If your exercise is boring, concentrate on form. My old gym teacher used to shout out "CHIN UP, SHOULDERS BACK and SUCK IN THAT GUT". Feel the muscles contract and relax. The thing is, if you do it every day it will become a habit and you will actually look forward to exercising. But if you slough off for a few days the habit is over and you have to start over again.

A 15 minute stretch routine in the morning followed with some squats is a good way to start the day.
I really enjoy a 30 minute brisk walk every afternoon.

 

[twes36]

Find a good running club in your area. Good exercise and easier with a group.

 

[dragoneggs]

Depends on if you like it but I like 'shootin' baskets. Stand up a hoop and backboard on your driveway. You get to chase errant shots so it gives you some motivation to concentrate on your accuracy. You can create all kinds of challenges so this mixes up your routine. You run, stretch, jump, and get some fresh air. I suppose you have to enjoy basketball but I find it more fun than most exercise.

My previous house we installed a sports court. That was great fun for the family. Besides hoopin' it, we played pickle ball and badminton. Easy and fun to play if you are not solo. I am missing our sports court.

 

[oosik]

For the first ten years - felling trees, stacking rounds in my trailer, splitting the rounds, stacking in the woodshed. But that is only seasonal. Since we moved down here, 38 years ago, walking out to get the mail. Mile out - mile back. Various projects around the property. It all adds up.

 

[forgeblast]

I have a spin bike I got for 100 dollars off craigslist I will normally use that for 10 mins to warm up, then on
day one bike 10, row for 2k meters about 10 mins, then use a streching app 10 mins.
Next day bike 10, heavy bag workout, abs, yoga stretch workout,
next day bike 10, row, strech
next day bike 10, 3 pull ups every 30 seconds until I can only do 2 then until I can only do one, abs, yoga strech.
Next day bike 10 row, kettle bell work out foam roll.
If i miss a day I just pick up on the next workout. I was running a lot, until I developed a patella tendinitis, spent 6 weeks in pt. Figured out I had my left hip week and the muscles not firing, so it was causing issues like itb band on the right and left kneed tendinitis.
The rower is awesome, such a great workout it was worth the $$. The heavy bag and stand was $50 from facebook marketplace. You can find or build a lot of equipment. There is a website DIY Corner Garage Gym with a lot of diy stuff.
Summer I will do these workouts but throw in a hike, walk the dog, go for a real bike ride, etc....Winter is here and its 30-60 mins to the nearest gym, so for us its better to have the equipment. There are also apps that will customize workouts based on the equipment you have.

 

[NorTracNY]

Here are several ideas. You certainly have a good start.

If you like planks, you can also add variety...
Go down on your forearms and back up on your hands.
Be on hands and tap something in front of you that is about a foot high. Alternate hands
Lift one arm straight out in front of you and raise the opposite leg
Swing your one knee under and through towards the opposite hip and touch it with the arm on that side
Be on your hands and your feet up on a wall so your body is parallel to the ground
Walk your feet up the wall and your hands back towards the wall and then back down so your body is parallel like you started


Work on your grip strength...
Carry weights when you walk
Hang from a pipe (both hands and then one hand)
Hang from a lip so it's just your fingers touching


I've found most of these ideas through "boot camp" classes that I've done or "obstacle course" gyms that I've gone to.

 

[Big Barn]

Lots of good advice