Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrapppy666
great info there thanks! It's hard to find that info in plain english like you have said it. I might have to jump back into my routine now that the weather is cooling down a bit and I'll be putting the car away for winter.
Here's a question. How much value do you put on a routine doing mostly pull-up / push-up, chair dip type exercises without equipment? Basically all I have access to or the room for right now is a jailcell workout. I've gone thorough p90x 1 1/2 times with decent results using 15-20lb bands. I definitely progressed strength wise and I'm happy with my shoulders, back and tris but the rest still needs work. Would a small bench press be worth the benefits or do pushups really accomplish the same thing?
For the record I'm
5'10 165 (was up to 170 until i fell off the workout wagon)
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If you want to add further mass to your chest, then you need to give it more stress. The body makes muscles bigger due to the principle of adaptation. A bigger muscle is a stronger muscle - if you subject your body to a stress that is bigger than what it's used to, then it will have to adjust. If you're eating enough, it adjusts by making the muscle bigger and stronger (the size vs. strength gain is dependent on the weight and amount of reps, though). That's what muscle building is all about. You won't grow doing the same thing. Unless you add weight to your pushups (which is unsafe and impractical), then you need to invest in a bench press to add mass to your chest. There are other chest exercises, though - dips, flys, etc., etc. But the best mass builders are pressing motions (especially on an incline).
Body weight exercises are an excellent way to get used to a movement, but after awhile their effect fizzles out. Don't get me wrong, a lot of people are satisfied with the physique earned from bodyweight exercise mastery. It's usually a very lithe and toned physique (assuming your body fat is low enough), but not jacked-huge. That's what some people like. But if you want to add more, sorry - you need to lift some weights and progress.