General upper body strength?

willhub · 22 Sep 2011 at 23:21

So I had a go at some press ups today, I'm a cyclist so I don't need loads of muscle, but I must be incredibly weak.

After just 20/10 press ups, then a rest, then 15, I was knackered out, my arms, and "pectoral muscles???" were aching and felt weak.

Is it a case of that my upper body is really weak or not used to taking the sort of exercise since I never do it?

If I kept on doing press ups regular would there be an improvement?

I'm sort of trying to get rid of "moobs" aswell, I do loads of cardio as I do lots of cycling, but the fat never shifts.

Thanks.

lego · 22 Sep 2011 at 23:28

http://www.hundredpushups.com/

But to be serious, don't be put off, you'll be amazed of how little the average person uses all their muscles on a day to day basis

icecold · 22 Sep 2011 at 23:39

Yes, your upper body is weak. The reason your fat isn't shifting is probably because of your diet.

Also, please don't do a pushing movement like press ups without also doing a pulling movement like chin ups, pull ups, bent over rows, inverted rows, etc.

willhub · 23 Sep 2011 at 00:10

Why not only do press ups?

Any of them I can do without using any weights or anything, I can't do pull ups nothing to pull up on.

I don't eat much to be honest, and on some bike rides I can burn 2000+ calories.

Gtiracer · 23 Sep 2011 at 00:14

You've sold it to me now!

The buzz about one hundred push ups:

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icecold · 23 Sep 2011 at 00:25

willhub said:
Why not only do press ups?

Any of them I can do without using any weights or anything, I can't do pull ups nothing to pull up on.

I don't eat much to be honest, and on some bike rides I can burn 2000+ calories.

Ends up creating big problems in your shoulders. Can you not just buy one of those pull up bars that hook onto a door frame?

Unfortunately, you have no idea how many calories you burn on a bike ride. Part of what getting fitter means is to use less calories doing exercise, your body gets more efficient. Look into doing some HIIT.

If you're interested, give this a read http://www.t-nation.com/free_online...raining_performance/the_hierarchy_of_fat_loss

willhub · 23 Sep 2011 at 00:32

Surely burning between 1000 and 8,000 calories is going to burn fat? I can tell you for a fact some rides I burn well over 2000 calories and the longer rides 8,000 upwards. Riding 70-170 miles on a bike fast is bound to burn energy surely.

I can't give up cycling, it's my main hobby and what I aim to get faster and do competitive events at.

icecold · 23 Sep 2011 at 00:43

My point is you can't know how efficient your body is being. Unless you're doing some kind of controlled experiment where they monitor your breath composition any number you suggest for calories burnt involves massive amounts of guess work. Stop relying on these numbers.

I'm not suggesting that you stop cycling, but do HIIT as well. I'm fairly sure they'll be something wrong with your diet too, but the bottom line is that you want different results than you're currently getting so logic dictates that you need to do something different.

Buffman · 23 Sep 2011 at 17:49

willhub said:
Surely burning between 1000 and 8,000 calories is going to burn fat? I can tell you for a fact some rides I burn well over 2000 calories and the longer rides 8,000 upwards. Riding 70-170 miles on a bike fast is bound to burn energy surely.

I can't give up cycling, it's my main hobby and what I aim to get faster and do competitive events at.

Calorie counters aren't accurate. Its down to individual people. If you're unable to lose fat you're eating too much/making poor food choices. If its specifically "moobs" it could be gynecomastia.

Also if you're looking to look less fat/more "toned" (for want of a better word) adding muscle mass with a weight training regime could help (push ups/body weight work outs wont suffice),