Back And Biceps

As I said in my last post, my latest adventure has been creating a gym for myself with a goal of mimicking what I used to do at my gym. The project began when my Chiropractor a few weeks ago gave me a 12 pound (5.4kg) bar to work out with at home and from there, my imagination went wild. I decided right there and then I was no longer willing to wait for our governor to reopen our gyms. I haven’t been to a gym since March so those of you who have the luxury of going to a gym, know please know how blessed you are!

Looking online I was shocked to see I couldn’t buy dumbbells anywhere, all being sold out. Many others have now gotten the same idea as me …. no longer waiting for authorities to open gyms. In speaking to Hubby I told him my dilemma. He opted to go to Target to see if he could buy dumbbells for me.

It took two trips but he did manage to get a pair of 15 pound (6.8kg) dumbbells. I ordered online a single 12 pound (5.5kg) dumbbell which I did have to wait for but today I do have. Months back (thank goodness!) I bought quality resistance bands. I then rolled my sleeves up and put my thinking cap on. How could I combine the bar, dumbbells, and resistance bands to mimic the machines I worked out on at my once-upon-a-time gym? I’m figuring it out as I go. To date I have all I require except for the custom made bench press Hubby is making for me as well as 10 pound (4.5kg) and 20 pound (9.07kg) dumbbells respectively.

In doing my back routine yesterday I figured out a way to take pictures. It wasn’t easy but I did it! To encourage all of you who have been denied your right to go to a gym, the following explanations with pictures hopefully will spark something in you to get you started if you haven’t already done so.

I began with double dumbbells bent-over rows, then went to single bent-over rows. Unintentionally I am showing a bit more skin then I would have liked to but(!) it was quite challenging while kneeling on my right knee and holding my 15 pound (6.8kg) dumbbell perfectly still [as seen below] in my left hand while holding a camera in my right hand. I could have used a third hand to adjust my top, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. I did 3 sets of 10 reps, first with the double bent-over rows, then with the single bent-over row.

 

From there I did three sets of 10 reps of pulldowns behind the neck, and three sets of pulldowns to the chest. I used a combination of a medium-heavy resistance band with my 12 pound (5.4kg) bar while sitting on the ground. Getting down to the ground was a bit tricky but I did it.

 

Next I did 3 sets of 10 reps of seated rows. Here again I used a resistance band, this time medium with the 12 pound (5.5kg) bar.

 

Using our sliding glass doors as a mirror to check my form, I did 3 sets of 10 reps each of bicep curls with my 15 pound (6.8kg) dumbbells. I also included a few sets of sitting bicep curls with a light resistance band.

 

Friends, I don’t mess around. I may be over 60 but I take my workouts seriously. I finished up with abdominal crunches and leg raises, two sets each of 25 reps. By that time, I knew I was finished. Look closely below. I had sweat dripping off both my chin and my nose and running down my face. LOL

 

My intention with this post is to encourage all of you to exercise. Contrary to some propaganda that is circulating, exercise is good for you. Those who are deliberately writing “expert” nonsense going into great detail how new evidence is showing exercise is unhealthy and can be dangerous, are writing nothing but ridiculous lies. I’ve been working out since a teenager and I’ve yet to have adverse side effects from exercise. In fact just the opposite happens. Happy endorphins begin to swirl about in my bloodstream, my immune system is strengthened(!), and my muscles become strong and healthy. A win-win!! Did I mention how good I look? GRIN!

Photography/ “Back And Biceps” /August 2020©AmyRose
http://www.herladypinkrose.wordpress.com