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I’ve been thinking about how workouts with household objects like cans or jugs of detergent usually are cast into the “not real fitness” category.
???
I’m going to NOT delve into the gender and socioeconomic bias that relegates anything homemade or home-based as weak, poor, feminine, etc. ? That’s a different post.
So are cans good enough to build strength at home?
Well, first, to be honest… as strength training tools, they do have their limits.
Few of your muscles will be challenged by a soup can or even a jug of laundry detergent for very long. You’ll likely want to upgrade to dumbbells, bands or kettlebells quite quickly if you’re pursuing strength workouts regularly.
But as props they are very much “real” fitness.
A can, towel, jug, broomstick, chair, etc. can help you to move your body in new, interesting ways. It can help you glide, bend, reach, push, balance, twist.
The limits of an object are mostly the limitations of its user – or user’s coach.
Here’s me doing a can workout from Mama Reset Membership that kicks. my. butt. Cardio, core and all.
And did you know that our #BBonline classes are DESIGNED to work with dumbbells OR soup cans because we know not every mama has workout gear at home!
Mobility, endurance, agility and core strength have traditionally been practices based in bodyweight training with the addition of small objects. From those bare bones origins we get a plethora of products and gadgets… but this is your reminder that a branded gadget is not more “real fitness” than a chair and a couple of soup cans.
The “fitness” comes from YOU moving your body in different, sometimes new and sometimes familiar, challenging ways.
“Real fitness” comes from YOU engaging with your surroundings. Whether with a heavy kettlebell or a little soup can. A grassy hill or a yoga mat. A bicycle or a broomstick.
Hope you engage with your environment and make some movement this week, my friend!
✌️Tell me one unconventional piece of “equipment” you’ve worked out with?