Alternative exercises for lower and upper body strength?

[1LoveTwoHearts]

Several fitness experts and magazines claim that exercises such as lunges and pushups can give you "sexy legs and arms." That's nice and all, but I immediately experience shooting pain through my knees during the lunges, and my back hurts throughout the duration of pushups.

I'd like to strengthen my shoulders, arms, and legs, and I don't know other exercises that'd be just as effective as the lunges and pushups, and hopefully wouldn't wreak havoc on my joints.

P. S: For cardio, I ride my bike whenever possible, weather permitting, and I'd prefer to strength train inside my house. I also have access to a set of dumbbells, ranging from 5 lbs to 75 lbs.
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[kheserthorpe]

You could replace push-ups with dumbbell press lying on a bench of some sort.

Seated dumbbell press is good for shoulders and probably easier on your back than standing

Where is your back hurting? And is it like 'something wrong' hurting or 'muscles bit used to holding plank burn hurting?

Squats or deadlifts holding Dumbbells at high weight are an alternative but im not sure what your knee would find easiest. Whatever lower body you are doing make sure your form is good especially with regards to knee position.

[1LoveTwoHearts]

During pushups, it's always my lower back that hurts, it feels like my muscles are tensed too much rather than my shoulders. I suppose I'll need to look at tutorials or ask around on how to have good form. During middle and high school, my gym teacher didn't show us how to have proper position. He basically just expected us to know what we're doing with the dumbbells. Thanks!

[1LoveTwoHearts]

When I was a Junior in high school, I was paired up with the freshman girls cause I was the only person in my grade who signed up for gym class (it wasn't required to graduate after 10th grade). And that whole semester was a joke. The freshman demanded we play hide and seek, and I could have been studying or finishing homework, but nope! They got what they wanted, and I spent the duration of those classes underneath the bleachers.

[kheserthorpe]

I wouldn't NECESSARILY assume your lower back is tensed too much. though really your abs should probably be tight. Ultimately you are doing a plank during the pushup.

I never learned anything remotely useful about general physical fitness or training in gym class. Half the teachers knew absolutely nothing, half the teachers were really keen about some sport or other, and could maybe teach some fundamentals of the sport.

But nobody actually takes kids who are weak and helps them get stronger, nobody actually fixes your running technique, etc. Not unless you're already athletic enough to be in competitive sports.

[airflow]

No pain, no gain ( :