People often join a gym just for access to weight-training equipment. It may surprise you to know, however, that many household objects can be used for strength training, which reduces the need for shelling out for an expensive gym membership. BooksFor flat lifting or even stepping, you can use large books. While the weight is easily adjustable, the sizes and shapes of most books that are beneficial for weight lifting or strength training makes them cumbersome to use. One great way of dealing with the awkward shapes of books is to put them into bags — either plastic bags or cloth shopping bags. Handle bags can even be placed (securely, of course) on either end of a broom handle for a simple, adjustable bench set. PotatoesBags of potatoes are easy to work with. Plastic or mesh bags of potatoes can be used as weights on the ends of a bar or broom handle. The weights are also easily estimated in increments of 5, 10, or 20 pounds, since this is how potatoes are sold. And there’s no waste because, of course, they can be replaced with fresh ones when it’s time to eat them. WaterBottles of water or even gallon jugs can be used for weight lifting or strength training. One of the most versatile, abundant, heavy substances in every home, water can be placed into containers of varying shapes and sizes to give excellent workout options. Ankle or wrist weights can be made at home by adding water to the appropriate shape of plastic bag. Waterproof containers are, of course, necessary, so for ankle weights, water-filled water wings are especially simple to buy for a fraction of the cost of manufactured ankle weights. Bungee cordsFor resistance training for arms and legs, bungee cords or discarded elastic from old clothing can be used to tone muscles in the same way as more expensive equipment at the gym. Bungee cords are often sold at stores that cater to campers, which means that for the relatively cheap cost of these strong elastic cords, one can get a useful piece of strength training equipment and a practical tool for keeping items secure when camping or bike riding. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society