Weights Vs Pushups

[Laudate_Dominum]

I was thinking that it would be cool to get buff. The thing is I don't have weights and I don't really like weights anyway. Does anyone know how to get buff without weights? Is it possible to get buff just by pushups and things?

Thanks

[Brother Adam]

You can tone your muscles some doing pushups, but your not going to get buff. Without weights I'd suggest a series of crunches, running, pushups, and stretches to get in shape. If you really wanna buff up though- hit the gym

[Laudate_Dominum]

interesting.. thanks Bro. Adam! Hmm.. I wonder how guys like Conan the Barbarian got buff back in the days before weight sets?

[Sojourner]

rocks

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote] interesting.. thanks Bro. Adam! Hmm.. I wonder how guys like Conan the Barbarian got buff back in the days before weight sets?[/quote]

Lifting boulders, combat, killing people...you know...

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Sojourner' date='Mar 25 2004, 09:38 PM'] rocks [/quote]
hmm.. I should try that.

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Raphael' date='Mar 25 2004, 09:40 PM']
Lifting boulders, combat, killing people...you know... [/quote]
haha! sounds charming.

[the_rev]

If you wanna do pushups, you can do the regular pushups, but then diamond pushups, whear your thumbs and the finger right next to it, and the same with the other hand come together to make a diamond, and do some of those, and then you can do a spider push up, where your arms and legs are widely apart.

But I would suggest going to the gym though!

[annie]

You cannot build muscle bulk if you do not increase resistance (weight to lift). Push ups etc will give you your body's weight in resistance, so will only take you so far. Men especially can build muscle bulk through incremental weight training because of their male hormones.
Depending on your age (if you are over 40 you should proceed with caution,, progress slower) you can move up at a steady pace, and see results if you stick with it. I prefer to have my patients use free weights as they allow for strengthening through co-contraction (the act of balancing the weights is an exercise in itself).

Because I am a licensed physical therapist, I HAVE to tell you to check with your MD first, esp if you have chronic medical conditions! (the token disclaimer)

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='the_rev' date='Mar 25 2004, 10:05 PM'] If you wanna do pushups, you can do the regular pushups, but then diamond pushups, whear your thumbs and the finger right next to it, and the same with the other hand come together to make a diamond, and do some of those, and then you can do a spider push up, where your arms and legs are widely apart.

But I would suggest going to the gym though! [/quote]
Cool, thanks. I'll try those. Also how many should a person do? I was thinking of doing sets of 30 or 40 and maybe trying to do like 3 or 4 sets a day.

Also I once saw Arnold Schwartzeneger (sp) on David Letterman's show and Dave asked him what someone should do to get buff and he said the first thing is to take a day and do 1,000 sit ups!! I've heard mixed things about sit ups. What do you guys think of this? I was going to try it.

[Sinner]

I cannot resist the temptation to "weigh in" here...... hehe excuse the pun! As a Physical Therapist I feel I do have some background to give some insight. If you mean increased muscular strength/bulk by the word "buff"; my answer is this: Only one thing is required to increase muscular capacity according to Starling's Law (a law for cardiac musculature that applies to all musculature as well).... that is to increase strength or bulk, one must fully fatigue the musculature in question. In short, the answer is yes, pushups can significantly increase bulk if done to fatigue over time. All one truly needs is any form of resistance..... gravity is readily available and is exceptionally cheap. Motivation, now that is a harder commodity to find. Many other activities to work other muscle groups such as dips, leaning back in a doorway and doing rows, one leg partial squats, crunches (instead of situps)... all done to full fatigue will increase bulk over time. Truly, there were many real world people with bulk prior to the invention of all the universal weight machines and benches sitting idly throughout the world's garages. LOL.

[annie]

Sinner, hey, a fellow PT!!! Where do you practice????

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='annie' date='Mar 25 2004, 10:11 PM'] You cannot build muscle bulk if you do not increase resistance (weight to lift). Push ups etc will give you your body's weight in resistance, so will only take you so far. Men especially can build muscle bulk through incremental weight training because of their male hormones.
Depending on your age (if you are over 40 you should proceed with caution,, progress slower) you can move up at a steady pace, and see results if you stick with it. I prefer to have my patients use free weights as they allow for strengthening through co-contraction (the act of balancing the weights is an exercise in itself).

Because I am a licensed physical therapist, I HAVE to tell you to check with your MD first, esp if you have chronic medical conditions! (the token disclaimer) [/quote]
Wow. That's good to know thank you. Hmm... incremental weight.. Maybe I can put heavy things on my back when I do push ups.

Also I don't have a doctor because I never go to the doctor. I'm old school (and poor). But as far as I know I'm in perfectly good health.

Thanks again for your advice.

[annie]

Kid riding on your back can add a lot of weight--and entertain too!! My hubby does push ups with youngest son 'riding' and both have a fun time!!!

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' date='Mar 25 2004, 10:11 PM'] Cool, thanks. I'll try those. Also how many should a person do? I was thinking of doing sets of 30 or 40 and maybe trying to do like 3 or 4 sets a day.

[b]Also I once saw Arnold Schwartzeneger (sp) on David Letterman's show and Dave asked him what someone should do to get buff and he said the first thing is to take a day and do 1,000 sit ups!! I've heard mixed things about sit ups. What do you guys think of this? I was going to try it.[/b] [/quote]
For you PT's, this question is particularly important. Since people always talk about crunches instead of sit ups but Arnold say to do 1,000 situps.. What's the deal?

Thanks.