Ten Ways to Get Stronger Without Lifting Weights

Ten Ways to Get Stronger Without Lifting Weights
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Strength is a solid indicator of a healthy body. Muscles support the frame of the human body and allow it to move. The stronger a person is the more he is able to accomplish physically. Bodybuilding is thus a common objective of those who desire a healthy and productive life. Lifting weights is sometimes considered synonymous with obtaining a strong body but there are other ways to develop your muscles without weight lifting.

Resistance

One way to build strength and develop muscles is to resistance train. You can purchase tough elastic bands which can be used in a variety of exercises which require you to use muscles in your arms or legs to stretch the bands out repeatedly.

Crunches

Abdominal muscles can be strengthen effectively by doing crunches. These exercises require you to contract your abdominal muscles to lift your upper body. Care should be taken to ensure you use the correct muscles to lift yourself. Don't put your arms behind your head as you might find yourself straining your neck.

Push-ups

Your arms and legs can be strengthened by doing rounds of push-ups every other day. You will lower yourself up from the floor with all your hands and toes touching for classic push-ups. You can modify push-ups by allowing your knees to remain on the floor and bending your legs up if you are not strong enough to perform these when you first start an exercise program.

Chin-ups

Place a chinning bar in a doorway of your home and use it daily. According to the Bodybuilding website, this will increase the strengthen in your biceps, triceps and chest. Do several repetitions each time you enter the room where the bar is located. Increase the repetition as your strength increases.

Squats

Squats are effective for building muscles in your legs. Bend deeply and rise up slowly after each squat to get the most from this type of exercise. You can also "duck walk" while in the bent position to further strengthen your legs. Maintain good posture as you do these exercises.

Toe Raises

An exercise which builds up the muscles in your thighs and calves is a toe raise. You simply rise up slowly onto your tip toes and then lower yourself back down at the same pace. Do as many raises as you can in a set.

Handstands

Handstands aren't just for children. Anyone can increase their upper body strength by lifting themselves vertically in the air with only their hands on the floor. Practice good posture and alignment as you hold the pose as long as you can.

Climbing Exercises

Climbing can make you stronger in all areas. This is a full body exercise that can be performed in a natural setting or on a synthetic rock wall. You can also climb suspended ropes or nets. Build up your stamina so you can achieve more height and increase your muscular development.

Grip Exercises

Grip exercises help to make your hands stronger. Repeatedly squeeze a specially designed apparatus or an object such as a tennis ball to build a firmer grip. This is an exercise that can be performed just about anywhere at most any time.

Jumping Rope

The Fitness Health Zone website encourages jumping rope to get stronger. The jump rope is a simple piece of equipment than can tone and strengthen your arms, legs and core. Increase speed and repetitions over time to maintain effectiveness.

References

Article reviewed by Veronique Von Tufts Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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