File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Is doing pushups a good way to build upper body strength and arm muscle? I am pretty damn feeble and want some arm muscles, don't have a nearby gym.
>> Anonymous
Yes. But you will only reach a certain point of strength gains. From then on you will basically be building slow twitch muscle in your arms and no fast twitch, which means only muscle endurance and no strength train.
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/MuscleFiberType.htm
>> Anonymous
>>268013
Yes, and then I'd have to find some way to weight lift, right?
How much should I do daily, pushups wise?
>> Anonymous
Couldn't I vary the pushups, and add weight by wearing a backpack?
>> Anonymous
>>268024
>I'd have to find some way to weight lift, right?
Yeah or you could wear a backpack like that other guy said. Put sand in it.
>How much should I do daily, pushups wise?
I just break it into five sets and base it on how many I can do. The first set should be close to the limit, then the next two should be significantly less, then the fourth even lower, and the final one do as many as you can.
>>268025
>Couldn't I vary the pushups, and add weight by wearing a backpack?
Yeah. You can elevate your feet, move your hands further away from your body, move them in closer, and you can set yourself up with three chairs. One chair for the toes, the other two for your hands. That way you can go even further down than just nose to floor.
>> Anonymous
>>268032
Ok, awesome, thanks for the advice.
>> Anonymous
>>268040
You're welcome. ^__^
>> Anonymous
whos the guy in ops picture?
>> Anonymous
>>268046
http://www.drhorrible.com/

Used to be free, nazi's at iTunes claimed it.
>> Anonymous
this site helps you achieve 100 pushups in 6 weeks:

http://hundredpushups.com/week1.html
>> Anonymous
hello fellow pushuper. like yourself i am a feeble weakling looking to get a little bit stronger. i have discovered http://hundredpushups.com/. i would recommend you follow that regime because it DOES help.

while you may or may not be doing 100 pushups in one set - you will definitely see an increase in your ability to do pushups which means you are getting stronger.

pushups will give you broader shoulders, help strengthen your pecs, and of course help your arms. they aren't going to make you ripped to shit, but it's a great first step and you will notice a difference.

keep at it comrade!
>> Anonymous
>>268032
Hey, while were on the topic, any particular reason why sets of 5 are good or bad? even if the repetitions barrier not I don't care, 3 sets, 5 sets, and 8 sets are the most common iterations I've seen lurking here for months. I've with them varying way but don't know which one to pick really over the others. I just work what feels right.
>> Anonymous
>>268337
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/strength-training-how-many-sets-for-best-results/71CBBC68-0
6EF-46B8-95C07A3EF837CBD2
>In 1998, an analysis of multiple previous studies compared single-set and multiple-set strength training. Thirty-three out of 35 studies examined showed no significant difference between single sets and multiple sets in regard to strength gains or lean muscle mass increases. Another study found that using a weight sufficient to fatigue the muscle at about 12 repetitions is optimal stimulus for strength gain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strength_training#Set_structure
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/a/weight101_3.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/strength-training/AN00893

Google answers questions much better than /fit/. You really shouldn't use /fit/ as your resource of information. I use /fit/ to HEAR about new topics and then I go to google to really learn about them.
>> Anonymous
>>268363
Good answer. Thank you. so two studies have conflicting answers and already my laziness is kicking in. Dammit