Happy Monday!! and time to report in for those training.
Thanks Q for ideas on making your workout van friendly. Sounds like the cardio fitness (and fat burning) portion is hiking/ or speedwalking/ or running depending on the condition of your bod at this point. I do a somewhat fast walk about half the pace of the runners. One thing I like to do is figure out a route to run/ walk/ hike with a mileage goal and a time goal. The mileage goal keeps me motivated over time and is a little triumph to celebrate along the way. I actually celebrate every mile I do to continually encourage myself. I also celebrate crunches in sets also for self encouragement. My current goal for cardio is one hour plus my mileage goal. I burn 200 to 300 calories on cardio.
The weights can provide upper body workout, I use a smaller dumbell weight at 8kg, so include two of those, one for each hand. Include pushups, planks, crunches and curls or dips in there also for core workout. If you have a stability ball that is great for the planks and crunches to keep you off the ground. I can do curls off the van in either of the back doors. The weights workout is also one hour, and I burn about 200 calories here. I use rock music to keep motivation flowing, and to speed movement from one exercise to the next. The weights workout (include sprinting here) increases your metabolism for about 38 hours, and increases your muscle mass for more calories burned when at rest.
For additional legs, there is the lowly squat which some will be unable to do. Can add weight by holding a weight on your chest while doing them. Some do lunges here, can add weight in your hands, but tough on knees if you have knee problems. I do single lunges with weights while holding onto a chair back or railing. I also do a small knee exercise with bands, where I am slowly and gently working the knee three ways, standing, with the band anchored to something.
So for equipment to bring along in the van, 2 small size dumbells totaling about 35 pounds (you may want kettle bells here), one stability ball stored on the bed when not in use, one pair running shoes for sweaty workouts, running pants with side pockets, heavy sweatshirt, one gym membership for showers and workouts in towns. Do we need to bring anything else?
Which is better, cardio or weights? I do both in equal amounts. ~crofter
https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/fat-loss-training-wars.html