Combining casual job with workout

cbmaxyz

My upper body is pretty scrawny and I'd like to beef it up a bit this year (it's sort of a new year's resolution - lower body's OK because I cycle and walk a lot). I could be conventional, reluctantly loosen my purse strings and join a gym, but I just had a brainwave: what about getting a casual job that involves a bit of manual labour? That way I get paid as well!

So I'm just wondering if anyone else here has any recommendations for possible jobs and/or has already tried this approach, and with what success? I'm not ruling out volunteering either, I should add.

One constraint is that I'm a student with afternoon lectures, so I can't have a job that goes past midday on weekdays. My last couple of jobs have been desk-bound - last time I did anything manual was stacking boxes a few years ago.

I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts - maybe we can start a trend of showing those gyms we can get fit without their expensive help!

hannah2082_2

I'm just bumping this up as I would be interested in any answers too, (especially work for women!). Unskilled manual work?

delmontebanana

cbmaxyz, if you are seriously looking to get more
muscular and improve your fitness, I would strongly advise joining the gym and using your free time in the morning to train. I joined my gym 1 year ago and it's been the best investment I've ever made (then again, I do go 5 days a week so I get my moneys worth).

However in answer to your question, I think a part-time position (morning shifts) at any warehouse or retail store would be a good start. I worked in Threshers/Victoria Wines during my Uni days and the amount of lifting crates of wine actually did wonders to my arms and back. I didn't get to bench press anything so the chest was lacking slightly

Seakay

Are there any community gardens in your area? They are often looking for volunteers and gardening can help with fitness - digging must be good for upper body strength, I would think! See if you can find info on you local council website.

hannah2082_2

Thanks - I'll look in warehouse work and gardening esp warehouse work as getting paid would be better!!