Resistance training covers all areas of strength training - free weights, machines, or resistance bands.
Resistance training should be a regular part of any exercise program, and it's easy to achieve at home. If you have the money and space, a few dumbbells will allow you to do a whole range of resistance exercises for the whole body. Or try resistance bands - they are surprisingly effective, particularly if you also get a video or DVD that shows you how to use them.
Another piece of equipment that will add a great deal to your home workouts is an exercise ball. They are infinitely adaptable, and are not just for core work - they make a great substitute for a bench with many exercises.
Finally, if you have absolutely no equipment, you can still get a good resistance workout using just your body weight - the following exercises would form the basis of an excellent workout:
- Squats
- Lunges
- Calf-raises
- Push-ups (or modified push ups)
- Wall push-ups/Counter height push-ups
- Chair triceps dip
- Curls (holding anything!)
- Abs bridge (two legs/one leg)
- Crunches
If you're not sure how to do any of these exercises, just Google them - there's plenty of sites with good illustrations and descriptions.
The beauty of working out at home is that you can do it whenever you want - even in front of the TV. It's amazing how much quicker a set of abs crunches goes when you're engrossed in CSI!
So if lack of funds or opportunity is holding you back from working out, it's time to be imaginative. Once you start to look for ways to workout at home, it becomes easy.
