Chest and stomach excersise advice please....

[peteruk]

Hey all,

Although I'd consider myself quite health-conscious, I don't really have a great deal of knowledge of the various muscles and how best to work them.

I have for a long time, done a great deal of lower body excersize on the legs such as running, and more recently on the arms through weight lifting in various forms.

However, as of late, I've gained the urge to work my chest and stomach area muscles and would like to develop these more. Apparently, it is benificial to try and work the body evenly, which I haven't really been doing over the past year or so. Time for change.

As I said, I don't do much on these muscles at the moment, maybe about 30 pressups and 50 crunches a day if they count . I understand, however, that these muscles are 'supporting' so get used to a degree during most upright excersise, but I still doubt this is particularly significant.

I guess the main problem is that I don't have much equipment, except pairs of 2.5lb (1.1kg), 5lb (2.3kg) and 10lb ( 4.4kg) dumbbells. For the record, I do also have this 'running with skiis' style excersise machine, but that's not relevant.

As you'd think, there is a slight element of 'oh I'd love a six-pack' in here , but as I've been told many times, 'six-packs are made in the kitchen', and as a result I monitor my diet carefully.

From past experiences on this forum, I can say there are some very knowledgable experts on the subject, so would love to know what you recomend.

Your thoughts please.

Thanks to all who post!

 

[peteruk]

Thanks for your replys people. Some very inspiring stuff here.

firstly, ready gordyr's sticky.

Sure thing.

You need a barbell, a bench, a pull-up bar and around 80kg+ in weights... or just join a gym. Stick to compound exercises and with a good diet you'll hit your goals no problems...

To be honest, I enjoy working out at home much more due for several reasons: A) the cost, B) the fact a gym is quite a distance from me, and C) I can fit it in conveniently to my life style.

That said, I understand it's pointless saying that if my work-out is not doing any good. This is probably a strange request, but how much would you estimate they will cost, and where would you advice purchasing them from?

(description of workout plan)

I like the sound of that. I usually excersize in the evenings daily, but if you think longer sessions less often are better, then I can adapt.

you dont mention that you have a bench, which would help

Unfortunately I do not. *adds it to list of things to get*

head to a gym to get yourself checked

May I ask what that involves, and how much it costs?

are you just doing crunches? make sure your working your obliques as well.

Erm, a bit lost there, better read the sticky

On a final note, until I do manage to improve my equipment, is there anything you can recommend with what I've got?

 

[peteruk]

This is probably a strange request, but how much would you estimate they will cost, and where would you advice purchasing them from?

Don't mean to quote myself, but can anyone help with this question?

Thanks

 

[peteruk]

Alright people, I've been saving heavily and will soon have some money to spend at Gymratz (unless anyone else has a better idea).

I have a question though, is it worth upgrading my dumbells? They are useful for occasional convenient excersizing ( yeah I know, not very professional but still ), but do you think the extra money would be better spent on the barbell + bench (and push up bar perhaps) ?

Thanks again

 

[peteruk]

OK, I'm now looking to spend £100 - £150 on my new equipment from Gym Rats (unless you can suggest a better supplier).

I'm thinking that if I get some weights (their 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 7.5kg sets add up to 70kg in total) and a bar (not entirely sure how long this needs to be, but 6" looks fine) it will come to £90, and I should be able to source a basic bench else where (it won't be incline/decline able, but it will certainly be a start). If I can find a pair of short (say 30cm) 1" bars then I could use the weights on them too and then I'll have suitable dumbell substitutes . I'll get a screen print of my basket soon.

Unfortunately, they have no push-up bars for sale, so I'll have to look for them elsewhere. Another question though, which out of these 2 will I need for my bar:



Thanks

 

[peteruk]

Although no one had mentioned any other suppliers, I did a quick google, and found a few other places that had some good combo deals.

This for instance, although it only has 50kg of weight with it (I'm sure that'll be pleanty to begin with) is only £129.99 and comes with both dumbells and a barbell and those stands. Then all I'd need was a bench of sorts (I'm guessing the floor's no good . It also occured to me that maybe you could use the stands as some kind of pull up/push up bar with the barbell on it.

It's certainly grabbed me now anyway.

 

[peteruk]

All right, if no one has any objections to me getting that, then I'll just go complete the order, with an additional 2x 10kg weights.

Those stands could be overspending, but hey, I'll stick with it and see how it goes...