Workout Question

[jmfargo]

Aside from push-ups, because I hate them with a loathing that will last ages after I have passed on, what is the best way to gain upper-body strength? I'm looking mostly for weight exercises, whether they're free-weight or on a machine.

Any help? I know I've got at least a few people on here that know a bit about working out and are in good shape themselves.

Comments

[pleepleus.livejournal.com]

I've found that for me, resistance bands work the best. You are basically using your own weight and strength and it forces you to use muscles that may not get engaged with free weights.

http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/a/resistance.htm

[conscience.livejournal.com]

OT, but love your lj name!
Reminds me of the monkey mascot in 3 sheets, with Zane whose-his-face. Which probably isn't a good thing in this post's comments, LOL!

[pleepleus.livejournal.com]

I miss that show so much! I keep hoping the Travel Channel or Discover pick it up. That is exactly where I got the name. I'm kinda like the little monkey; I don't have much to say, but people seem to like me anyway. ;p

[conscience.livejournal.com]

LOL...you rock!
He did a traveling 'eats' show, but it went off air rather quickly. I do miss his face though. And poor Pleepeus...so mistreated sometimes...LOL!

[pleepleus.livejournal.com]

Those were the "stunt doubles". They never made the real Pleepleus do the "dangerous" stuff. *G* Who knew a stuffed monkee would need a stunt double?

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link. I think there's a resistance band workout group at the college that I'll have to check out.

[conscience.livejournal.com]

I always try to use free weights.

Bicep curls, with palms holding the weights first for one rep outward, then middle, then inward. Tricep extensions are good. Shoulder lifts...lifting the weights in hands straight ahead to eye level, as well as can focus the movement as the bicep curls with hands pointing in, middle and out. Can also do these to the side, I forget what it's called, but they DO work...owie :)

Lay down on a cushion or raised area, and you can do 'benching' weights...again, with multiple hand movements to focus on different muscles, going straight up AND from the sides. Those feel good to me....pectoral strength for the win!

The key to all of these is slow and steady movement, both pushing up, AND the downward moves. With my back problem, I have been using 10lb weights, 12 reps, 3 sets. One day I may be back to my 20lb weights...I hope!!

And ALWAYS stretch before AND after!

[brightflashes.livejournal.com]

yes the slower and more deliberate the better.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking of purchasing some free weights for the house, just because I always have felt self-conscious about doing them in the gym. Yes, I quite honestly know that nobody is judging me lifting tiny little weights next to the bodybuilder with hulking biceps lifting the weight bench, but my brain goes "BLARGH-A-DIDDLE!" and I freak out a little inside.

Too much information? Maybe. But the point still stands; I'll probably have to get some free weights for the house.

That way, too, I can lift while watching TV.

[morlith.livejournal.com]

Swimming. ;)

I'd suggest yoga to be honest. It's more of a "complete body workout" than anything else.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I might look into yoga. I think I can take some free classes through the college since my wife works for them, but I'm not sure.

As for swimming? Well, there's a pool, but the hours are weird, erratic, and often change. It's free, so I can't complain too much, but I like being able to do my workout when I feel like it, not on their schedule.

[brightflashes.livejournal.com]

free-weight exercises targeting triceps, biceps and pecks. pull ups, bench pressing, side planks.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Pull ups. Heh. When I was 6 I could do them endlessly. Now? Well, when I was 6 I could do them endlessly.

I get to do side planks with my Wii Fit. Of course, it also makes me do push-ups, but that's the price I pay for having a fun workout program, I suppose.

[brightflashes.livejournal.com]

ah yes, I'm familiar with those work outs hehe.

[akdidge.livejournal.com]

Depends on exactly what type of upper body strength you want. I'm not being difficult, honest. Depends completely on what it is you're trying to achieve.

General strength/nothing specific? Different things will help. Change up often to confuse your muscles and free weights are your friend

If you want muscle do the following: less reps, more weight.
If you want toning do the following: less weight, more reps.

Don't forget to switch upper body and lower body workouts every other day so you don't stress the muscles.