Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 383, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

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The Chest

DanielJLove
DanielJLove
Posts: 320
Joined: 2004/03/30
United States
2004/06/17, 11:30 AM
Hey group,

I have noticed a trend of recently. When someone comes on asking about upperbody workouts sometimes they are greeted with disparing remarks, snideness (sp?). This is somewhat sad, as I can remember back to when I was 15-21 and even though I was educated on weight lifting still wanted to increase my upper body. So before you speak roughly to someone give some thought to what they might be going through. Here are some reasons they may be focused on thier upper body.

1. When you are picked on you think defensively. If you are going to punch someone you think you need upper body strength.

2. When you stand in the bathroom to brush your teeth and hair, you very rarely see your legs in the mirror. Most often you see your chest and upper body. So that is what you might focus on.

3. You have been playing sports like football, or soccer and your legs are out of proportion to your upper body. So you want to gain symmetry. (This is also a problem for young males, because there shoulders haven't filled out yet).

4. A lot of teenage boys don't wear shorts to school, so the muscle groups that the girls see are the arms and the outline of the chest. This can be quite a motivator.

I am sure that you can think of other reasons. The point is that they probably have a reason that they think they need to focus on their upper bodies. Talk to them and find it out, and then educate them about working the whole body. A teenage male is not always the sturdiest soul yet and when they meet embarassement they may not come back a second time. Keep it positive, and keep it educational.

Well, those are my two cents. I hope I haven't over stepped my bounds and thank everyone for the encouragement, help and commaradiere.

Daniel Love
2004/06/17, 11:43 AM
I answered a question alon the lines of upper body workoutthe other day by asking him if he had tried an FT workout. I also asked why he would want to only work the upper body.I guess sometimes time constraints dictate the length of response. He never answered back. I have seriously answered hundreds of question and the asker never responded or showed back up. I try to be brief and ask reasons before responding in too much depth. He may have had a reason.

When I was 19 to 25 I logged thousands of miles on a 10 speed. I never felt the need to add legs to my workout. When I recovered from my shoulder surgery I gave my legs hell and made excellent gains there. When I was able to start back on my upper body the gains were even bigger. I know the legs had alot to do with it.

I've never seen you overstep Daniel. Excellent post.

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Foolish consistancies are the hobgoblins of small minds.

Charlie