When it comes to working out, there are a million different things you can do and a million different ways that people think is best.
The one common factor: hard work and challenging stimulus.
So why do we NEED to overcomplicate things? The tried and true methods still exist for a reason. The staple exercises still exist for a reason. They work.
But what about when we are low on time, energy, equipment or creativity? Can we still get in a good workout? I better bet you can. Here are a few of my favorite methods or modalities to train when there is a limiting factor.
Time
I love doing simple timed supersets or trisets. Let’s say you only have 30 minutes to be in and out of the gym. Okay, take 5 minutes to warm up and 5 minutes to cool down. That means we have 20 minutes for a workout.
Pick 2 to 3 exercises that hit different muscle groups – upper, lower and maybe abs.
Set a timer to beep every 2 minutes, then do 6-12 reps of each exercise, rest until the beep, and repeat again. Here is a simple example using just one dumbbell:
Dumbbell Offset Reverse Lunge
Dumbbell Renegade Rows
If you do this every 2 minutes, that means you are getting in 10 sets of each. Pretty darn good work.
No Equipment
Your body weight can be a great tool here.
Keep it simple, pick a set number of rounds, or like the previous example, do timed rounds.
Here we have a squat, row, single leg RDL, pushup and single leg glute bridge:
***If you don’t even have a bar to row on, just skip it, but make sure you get in some rowing movements later in the week!***
Just a Barbell
“Just” a barbell is a ridiculous statement. You can do SO MUCH with a barbell!
Here is a simple barbell complex: squat, row, RDL, and push up.
Obviously, you want to use a challenging weight, and the right number of reps based on the weight and or the rounds you choose to do. I have done this exact complex for 25 minutes straight (6-8 reps per exercise with 135 on the bar, plus 1-minute rest after each round) and it is BRUTAL!
Get Creative
Maybe you just have a foam roller? Or a log? There is literally no excuse to NOT get a workout in.
Here is a foam roller only complex, and my cabin log workout (this was more of a joke, but it IS possible!)
BONUS: It doesn’t always have to be crazy!
Here was a cabin mobility/pump workout I did in the basement of my parent’s cabin. Don’t overthink these things!
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Stay healthy my friends,