When training at home, it can seem daunting to try to implement a successful workout strategy that doesn’t involve lots of expensive equipment.
However, you don’t need to feel limited by the fact that you might not have a lot to work with at home. The key is to get creative–an everyday object like a jug of water can be a useful workout tool. (A gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds.)
Using a water jug for resistance training is efficient, practical, and it can also make for a damn good workout!
I recently did a water jug workout with my client Armen at her apartment. She doesn’t have any workout equipment (or a ton of space) but that didn’t stop us from getting it done.
Water is readily available and relatively cheap. After all, it’s the world’s most abundant resource. As a resourceful trainer, I’m happy to take advantage of that fact.
Watch the clip below to see highlights from the workout:
Sam Cardona is one of the most fit people I’ve ever trained.
Sam has completed two Ironman triathlons, including last year’s Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii, where he finished in 12:41:47. You read that right–over 12 hours of exercise!
For anyone who doesn’t know, an Ironman is a triathlon that consists of a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, and then a full marathon–26.2 miles.
When working with an athlete of Sam’s caliber, my goals are to constantly keep him moving and to challenge him on different fronts. It doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment, though. Watch me give Ironman Sam a full body workout with nothing but a medicine ball and a pull-up station.
Barbara Roche Fierman is living proof that everyone can (and should) exercise, regardless of injuries, their age, or any of the other excuses that people tend to come up with.
Barbara’s list of injuries includes a fused ankle, a cyst in her lower back, and a torn rotator cuff.
She’s also 72 years old!
But in spite of all that, I meet with Barbara 3 times a week and she gives it her best effort.
Regular exercise helps her to continue working full time as the CEO of New York’s Little Elves, NYC’s #1 cleaning service, and do all the things New Yorkers need to do to get around.
Take a look at this video from one of our recent strength training workouts:
Emma Robinson is a one of a kind client. As a former Olympic medalist (Emma’s won both sliver and bronze medals in rowing, at the 1996 and 2000 games respectively), she is no stranger to busting her butt in the gym. Emma is one of the hardest working, most determined people I’ve ever met. She’s also one of the strongest!
But when I first met Emma, it had been years since she had been on any type of strict exercise regimen. Even though she had at one point in time reached the pinnacle of athleticism, she was still a bit intimidated by starting over in the gym by herself. Throughout her athletic career, Emma had gotten used to working out with coaches, so she decided to take me on as her trainer.
Emma has come a long way since then, and while she no longer rows competitively, she knows how important it is to continually push her body to the limit. Emma loves doing pull-ups and dips, and I thought a little friendly competition might give her the extra motivation to push herself even harder, so I challenged her to a pull-up and dip contest.
Since I am a guy (and guys naturally have more upper body strength) I decided to do my pull-ups and dips with a 45 pound weight hanging from my waist to level the playing field.
For the last event, Emma selected power cleans–nice choice!!!
Watch the clip below to see how it went. Behold: The Al-ympics!
Mike Lieberman has been a good friend of mine for a long time, but he recently felt inspired to get in better shape, so he got me to start training him.
Mike has had the nutrition aspect of holistic wellness down for a while. Now that he is stepping up his workouts, he can really take his health and fitness to the next level.
Mike is also very concerned about the environment and the green movement, so I make sure that the only energy expended during one of Mike’s workouts is his own. We’ll never use electrically powered equipment during our training (treadmills, etc.).
Mike’s goals include building more upper body strength and improving core stability. He wants to get better at pull-ups and eventually build towards doing a muscle up!
Al Kavadlo is not liable for any injuries or damages that individuals might incur by attempting to perform any of the exercises or feats of strength depicted or discussed on this website. Any individual attempting to does so at their own risk. Consult with your physician before beginning an exercise regimen.
When training at home, it can seem daunting to try to implement a successful workout strategy that doesn’t involve lots of expensive equipment. 
Sam Cardona is one of the most fit people I’ve ever trained. 
Barbara Roche Fierman is living proof that everyone can (and should) exercise, regardless of injuries, their age, or any of the other excuses that people tend to come up with. 
Emma Robinson is a one of a kind client. As a former Olympic medalist (Emma’s won both sliver and bronze 
