Free Weights vs Body Weight

So many answers, all are safe advice.  Weight training will indeed strengthen muscles, tendons, ligaments and bone.  Body weight can do the same if implemented properly.  For varieties sake a combination of both might be best.  The more variety you throw at the body the better it adapts to unforseen circumstances.  In short do both, make it fun, make it intense either in weight or duration (if appropriate, speed), or combinations of all.  Try plyometrics, don't over develop your pectorals, stretch through all ranges of motion (must be painfree).  If strength training on a swim day, swim first.  Most of all, have fun.

I'm interested in this subject as well. I don't have any, nor the room for any weights in my house, and with three kids I don't really have the time to hit a gym all that regularly either. But I do want to strength train. Not necessarily because I think it will make me faster in a triathlon, but because I'm pushing 40, rather doughy, and I have a sore back every morning that I am blaming on the spare tire I'm trying to suck in all the time. I'm not huge - 5'11, 178 lbs - but I'd be lying if I said any of that was muscle. I don't want to bulk up (don't think I could really, I don't have that body type), but I do want to be stronger, leaner and more muscular-looking, if that makes sense.

I'm a long ways off from that, and I've just started, so I wanted to do something that was quick, easy, and habit-forming. In other words something that doesn't take a lot time and thought. Once it becomes a habit I can worry about more elaborate workouts. To that end I have started doing those "six week challenges" that you can find on the net. 20 pull-ups, 200 squats, 100 push-ups, 200 sit-ups. They're simple and quick to do (and I've already doubled my pull-up capability from 3 to 6) but given my goals am I wasting my time? Keep in mind I really just want to make this habit-forming to start off with, but obviously it's easier to indulge in the habit if I'm seeing results in the mirror. Do you think this would be a good start to my life in strength training or should I save up for those barbells and dumbbells?

I don't know that you are wasting your time per say, but I don't know that it is the best plan of action.  It is not really a well structured program and could potentially lead to a fair amount of imbalances.  For example, the situps.  That's getting your ab muscles but then your not working your lower back (well, the pushup kinda does a bit). 

You can get a dumbell set that takes very little room using one of those ones that has plates that sits in the platform and you turn a knob to lock/unlock a plate to make the weight you want.  They are kinda pricey but when you start adding up all the individual weights it comes out to not looking so bad.  You can get them at Play it Again Sports or other such type places to really lower the costs.  I have one and love it (mine is from Bowflex).  I also have the basic dumbell's and tend to go to the bowflex one first. 

Another good option that uses your body weight and takes no room (except you need an area clear to workout) is something like a TRX system.  There are a few varations out on the market but I personally have a TRX and love the workout I get from it.  You can work from the basic exercises on up to some very challenging ones out on YouTube.  I haven't gotten bored with it yet. 

So any of that will show results in the mirror really, but if you really want to see results in the mirror you really need to key in on the diet.  Otherwise you'll get a nicely padded set of muscles.  Which will still help you in life, making you feel better, helping you longer term as you get older by keeping you strong, and you will see a body change, but to really see it the diet has to work along side it.

Ditto to above.  If you want to see your results quicker, diet is crucial.  I've exercised all of my adult life but only recently have I changed my diet (no more pop, chips, candy) to one where I make sure that most of what I eat is not crap.  I've seen a few pounds drop off but what I've noticed most is my body is more toned than it ever has been.  One thing that works for me is the calorie counter on LIVESTRONG.COM.  It's free and you can basically create a profile of you and your current eating and exercise habits.  I like pictures and bright colors so it helped me put things in a better perspective.

I agree on the Boflex Selec-tec dumbells.  They're worth the investment, a little bulky for some exercises but worth it. 

Check out BodyrockTV on the internet.  The workouts are short, high intensity intervals.  They're tough but good if your time crunched.