Build a gym at your house!

It's harder to stay in shape in the winter. What do you do? There is little for me to do, exercise-wise, in the garden in the winter.  I try to do resistance exercises, such as weight lifting and push ups, due to the overwhelming evidence that it helps improve your longevity and health in aging.  I'm not young.  I didn't want to pay a lot of money each month to a gym and pollute by driving somewhere.  I bought a set of weights off Craigs list for $30, and improvised the rest.  We like to go boogie boarding at the beach in the summer, but when we're not doing that, they can serve as the "bench" for bench press.  The bar rests on old paint cans, as you can see.  The top is just  a piece of wood, with tiny slats at each end so it doesn't roll off.

Then I needed to do lat pull downs. More complicated.  Do I need to buy some kind of a $2000 machine? No! I collected old bleach bottles and filled them with water.  Haven't leaked after 6 years.  I bought a metal bar at Restore for $1.  Pulley at hardware store for $4.   Used an old chain to hook it over the rafter, and hooked it together with some rope.  Works perfectly!

I also use dumb bells and I hooked bungees together to add that to my repertoire. I hooked them under the couch as it's heavy enough not to move when I pull it.

Works great. I have made no payments since the original purchase. It will probably save me thousands of dollars in not having to go to the hospital in that my health is better.

My son also uses it and doesn't have to pay gym fees.  

One really nice thing is that I can do some reps, go out into the yard, come back and do some more reps. Take the dog for a walk. More reps. I'm getting exercise and I'm still a good dad and husband, hanging out with the family.

John S
PDX OR

Umm, the bench press setup looks a bit, shall we say, precarious?

It never falls. It's just a little bit off the ground anyway.  You are welcome to photograph a better alternative.

John S
PDX OR

I forgot to show an image of how the pulley and chain fit over the rafters.  I had a rope tied instead of the chain, but it broke and landed on my head, so I went to the chain. It flows freely and makes it work well.

John S
PDX OR