by Ray Fauteux

Created on: February 20, 2011

Many people take the gift of life for granted and do not fully comprehend that our bodies are really the true first wonder of the world. Our body responds to all we ask of it and is basically a slave to our every whim.

If we choose to live a sedentary lifestyle devoid of physical activity and pay little attention to the food or "fuel" that we consume, our body will do it's best to convert those unused, excess calories into fat and be sure to store it for us for a later date.

On the other hand, if we are physically active and make wise food choices our bodies will respond by converting those calories into energy reserves and necessary vitamins, minerals, and proteins that will ensure that our energized blood reaches the working muscles and in the process will purge our bodies of old muscle tissue and replace it with new.

Ligaments, bones, tendons and pretty well every cell in our bodies also benefit when we challenge ourselves physically and perpetuate the cycle of renewal that all life undergoes. The body makes no distinction between physical demands incurred in a weight room with a barbell or at an exercise station or at home in your living room using nothing but the floors and walls that surround you.

Isometrics is a great choice if you want to challenge your body without using one single piece of equipment. Basically, isometrics is the use of an immovable object to stress your muscles and build strength. A push-up is a perfect example. You are using an immovable object(the floor) and your own body weight to perpetuate muscle growth and renewal.

You could do the very same thing pushing against a wall. As an experiment, just try pressing both palms against a wall with as much force as you can. Hold it for just 15 seconds and you will feel the stress on your arms and shoulders. If you do enough repeats over days and weeks, your body will respond by strengthening the muscles that are being worked.

If you lay on the floor with your feet together and then try and raise them both to a height of about 6-8 inches your stomach muscles will soon make it obvious that they are working overtime.

If you feel you just have to use a piece of equipment, then get yourself an old bicycle inner tube. This is most likely one of the best pieces of "low-cost" exercise equipment you will ever come across. It's inexpensive, light, portable and  provides a great workout once you understand how to use it to in a way that is benefitial.

For example, you can hold the tube stable by standing

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