Best cardio/muscle toning options outside the gym?

My gym membership has been on hold since February and will be until at least December as I'm living somewhere temporarily until my new home is built (living in Brampton but gym is in Vaughan).

I actually prefer to do cardio on gym machines rather than outside. So I guess I've used the on-hold gym membership as an excuse till now. But my lack of cardio is starting to show

I can't run/jog as it puts my knees/back in too much pain. I can walk but even doing that for longer than 30 mins leads to an aching back. I used to use the elliptical and the stationary bike in the gym. Anything where my feet don't come off the machine is okay for my back/knees.

I don't have rollerbaldes. I do have a bike. I live in the suburbs of Brampton so I can't figure out a route that would allow me to reach higher speeds/hills to get in a good work out. I don't want to have to be stopping for traffic lights and stop signs so often if I wanna build up a sweat.

The only other activity I do is yoga 3-4 times a week. I'm female, if that matters.

I also used to weight train in the gym with free weights and the machines...I really miss that the most!

I have a stability ball, small weighted ball (5-7 lbs maybe) and a red tension band with handles. I also have a set of 5lb and 8 lbs dumbells.

What are my best options for outdoor cardio vascular activity?

What are my best options for muscle toning?

Skipping/jump rope... might be bad for your knees though.

Body weight exercises + Cardio + good diet = well toned body.

I did those (except the good diet part) during the city strike (F city-operated gyms, that's the last string).

Originally Posted by DLFB

Body weight exercises + Cardio + good diet = well toned body.

I did those (except the good diet part) during the city strike (F city-operated gyms, that's the last string).

by body weight exercises do you mean push ups, sit ups, squats, lunges....things that use the body's own weight and resistance?

coincidentally, the gym that i'm a member at is a municpality owned gym

P90X hands down. If your motivated and dedicated and Disciplined I can assure you you will get amazing results. This program is a well designed circuit training program that acts both as cardio for fat loss and weight training to tone your muscles well.

Originally Posted by Euphoriiick

P90X hands down. If your motivated and dedicated and Disciplined I can assure you you will get amazing results. This program is a well designed circuit training program that acts both as cardio for fat loss and weight training to tone your muscles well.

Ive seen people do it and gotten amazing results.

If you can stay dedicated for 3 months...go for it.

by body weight exercises do you mean push ups, sit ups, squats, lunges....things that use the body's own weight and resistance?

Yes.

coincidentally, the gym that i'm a member at is a municpality owned gym

F THEM! never ever again!

find a bike
find a hill

go up and down it 10x/day.

make sure heart rate is 175+

Lane swim.

Originally Posted by amz155

I also used to weight train in the gym with free weights and the machines...I really miss that the most!

I have a stability ball, small weighted ball (5-7 lbs maybe) and a red tension band with handles. I also have a set of 5lb and 8 lbs dumbells.


What are my best options for muscle toning?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13o4-g0jdrw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kGrDDHOcps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6qU-BsQzMQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIYKK2D6-RM

Do your steps at home use light weights or heavier if you prefer for your arms...vary the upper movements with some lateral twists and some side punches ...don't punch your walls

You can do the above outdoors but instead of stepping, do those side punches but from a crouched starting point....no sets just go all out till you can't push the last one...rest 10 secs ...then do it again...repeat till you drop

For toning push ups, dips for the upper and lunges for your lower, to work the midsection do leg lifts all the variations you know.

Originally Posted by Euphoriiick

P90X hands down. If your motivated and dedicated and Disciplined I can assure you you will get amazing results. This program is a well designed circuit training program that acts both as cardio for fat loss and weight training to tone your muscles well.

All the guys at work rave about it. But since I got to yoga 3-4 times a week, I'm afraid I can't commit to P90X everyday. I'm more looking for something to augment my yoga workouts to help me look a bit of the giggly stuff.

Originally Posted by Efx

Lane swim.

I'm not a fan of swimming and don't want to do something where I have to pay.

Originally Posted by pmc

Do your steps at home use light weights or heavier if you prefer for your arms...vary the upper movements with some lateral twists and some side punches ...don't punch your walls

You can do the above outdoors but instead of stepping, do those side punches but from a crouched starting point....no sets just go all out till you can't push the last one...rest 10 secs ...then do it again...repeat till you drop

For toning push ups, dips for the upper and lunges for your lower, to work the midsection do leg lifts all the variations you know.

I live in a really old bungalow and the steps to the basement are out of the question as the turn and I have to duck becuase of the low wall above them.

The punching is a good idea using the weights, I'll try that.

How could I do dips at home?

Originally Posted by amz155

How could I do dips at home?

A couple of chairs, or sawhorses. Or put your hands on a bench, your feet on the floor or a chair.

Bodyweight exercises FTW.

Google/Youtube Craig Ballantyne/Turbulence Training.