Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 36

Thread: Unconventional strength training

  1. #1

    Unconventional strength training

    I use very little weights but maximize my household items in my supplemental training. What sort of devices have you utilized?
    I've invented various exercises and routines using anything in my room or basement I can find.
    Three exercises I am currently experimenting with are:
    Throwups
    Hanging situps
    Beer walks
    Train hard, live long and prosper.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    401
    the beer walks sound fun how do you do it/ what benefits do you get?

  3. #3
    I've used sand bags of varying weight (50-200 lbs), 5 gallon buckets full of water or sand, kettlebells, and my own bodyweight. After using all those, I've come full circle to see why almost all pro-athletes use weights combined with aerobic/anaerobic training to condition themselves... because they work the best!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Seattle, WA, USA
    Posts
    79
    somehow i'm guessing the "throwups" come AFTER the "beer walks"???

    =)

  5. #5
    Beer walks are intense if done properly and focus mainly on the forearms, the triceps, abs and lower back.

    To perform the beer walk;
    hold an empty beer in each hand
    start with just your knees and the bottoms of the beer bottles in each hand. . Then walk your hands out as far as you can without touching the ground with your body. Try to get them as overhead as possible and then slowly walk back.
    Eventually the goal is to do them on your toes and go straight out and then back

    Throwups
    simply lie on your back and throw a medicine ball or a small punching bag into the air. Upon catching it, pull your knees to your chest and crunch your body and use the momentum to stand up. As you stand up, holding under the ball, swing it upwards with a large arc and throw it into the air above your head. When it comes down catch it and then squat down and back onto the floor.

    Lots of fun
    Train hard, live long and prosper.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    461
    Unconventional is defintely the word for those. You are far more brave then I am using beer bottles...hope they don't break on you.

    I am, though, having a heck of a time figuring how the "beer walk" hits the tris....sounds like you have to keep your arms locked throughout the movement, yes? Not a lot of tri recruitment there it seems.

    Throwups sounds like you are combining a few different exercises. The crunchup with the ball part is a Pilates movement. The ground throw is a basic plyometric move. This is just my opinion, but it seems to me like you might get more muscle-specific results from breaking the movements up. For instance, you don't see a lot of guys perform a bench press rep, bring it down, roll up off the bench then throw the weight in the air. But again, that's just my opinion. If it works for you, cool.
    "I'll use my bare hands...against any weapon!"

    We are trained in wushu. We must defend the Temple!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Sydney Australia
    Posts
    458
    hey there
    Try finding some5 -10 L water contianers fill them up and start walking holding them by your sides.
    I like good old pack walking but its best done out in the bush.
    A Problem is only a Problem if you think it is a Problem and every Problem has a solution

    Don't worry about losing lass,I've been wrestling wolves since you were suckling on your mama's titt
    Groundskeeper Willy

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Reno, Nv, USA
    Posts
    2,833
    I have a 1-inch diameter, 3 foot long steel bar that I "workout" with.

    I have a forearm thingie: tie a rope around a heavy weight, tie the other end around a shortened broomstick or something similar. Then holding the 'handle' in both hands, slowly wrap the rope around the middle of the handle, kind of "winding" the weight up from the ground to your hands, then back down, and just before it gets to the ground, reverse and repeat. This has to be done slowly. I think I got this from the Tao of Jeet Kune Do or some Bruce Lee book.

    SCUBA DIVING WEIGHTS!
    You can get them in nearly any weight (from 1/2lb to probably 40lb) The kinds that are basically just shot poored into a mesh bag are the best, you can throw those around without worrying about really breaking anything (like tables and floorboards etc.)
    You can get the kind that have zippers and handles, so you can add as much shot as you want. I like to keep a 5lb one and a 10lb one at my desk at work, much fun.
    strike!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Canada!
    Posts
    23,110
    heavy weapons, brass rings and leg weights.

    Instead of using a rattan staff, I use a double dragon oak staff.
    I do sets with brass rings and do regular workouts with leg weights.

    I have never used wushu performance weapons and always use full/true weighted swords, knives and halbierds. Nor do I use the tapered or thin staffs that one sees, only rattan for performance and heavy oak for working out and basics.

    peace
    Kung Fu is good for you.

  10. #10
    The triceps is targeted in a constant pressure. While you walk out one at a time, the triceps holds you up.
    Train hard, live long and prosper.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Humble,Texas USA
    Posts
    162

    How about

    swinging an ax.....

    I did this one today. I had a friend who needs to clear out space in his backyard and there were some fallen trees back there that need to be chopped up so it can be hauled off. Man, thats tough stuff. We took turns taking hacks at the timber and we got pretty tired. It seemed like a good upper body workout.

    Just a thought......

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Sydney Australia
    Posts
    458
    How about you just start doing laboring jobs
    A Problem is only a Problem if you think it is a Problem and every Problem has a solution

    Don't worry about losing lass,I've been wrestling wolves since you were suckling on your mama's titt
    Groundskeeper Willy

  13. #13
    Axes are excellent workouts as well as hauling all the wood you'll be cutting up. Also portaging and rowing a boat at sea is an excellent back workout.
    Another couple I've pulled out of my ass are:
    High Walking
    Rollies
    Throwing Randow Heavy Objects
    Scale a Wall
    Walking on your hands

    High walking is simple; as you walk raise your heel for every step and fiercely flex your calves to achieve maximum height. Looks stupid but works and makes walking interesting.

    Rollies; lay on your back and raise your entire body three or so inches off the ground with just your ass on it. Now roll over to the left onto your hip and then to the right. That's one. Keep going and feel a complete abdomen workout.

    Throwing heavy objects and scaling a wall are pretty straight forward as well as walking on your hands.
    Train hard, live long and prosper.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    62
    I got a good one for the abs and the lower back. Its called "The Thinker." To do it you have to get down in the pushup position, but instead of putting your hands on the ground you rest your elbows on the ground and your hands on your chin. Keep the rest of your body off the ground and you will feel the burn after a little bit.

  15. #15
    "The Thinker"! Great! That sounds good I will do it next workout. Have you ever played Hackey Sack? That'll do your cooridination, balance a workout. Fun too.
    Train hard, live long and prosper.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •