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]

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!

[morlith.livejournal.com]

Swimming. ;)

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

[brightflashes.livejournal.com]

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

[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.