Can you get well toned with just push ups and sit ups ?

deftron

Lifer
Nov 17, 2000
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IF so, how many per day ?


edit: guess I should have said before...
I'm not trying to lose weight ... Already skinny, no bodyfat.
Just want to firm stomach and build up chest and arms a little

 

sonambulo

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2004
4,777
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not completely, no. you'll need to throw in some pullups, lower back crunches(i cant think of the name for them), squats without weight, calf raises and some kind of grip work.
 

cjgallen

Diamond Member
Jan 20, 2003
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As long as you continue to increase resistance (ie doing pushups/situps on a incline, feet raised, etc).
 

yobarman

Lifer
Jan 11, 2001
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NO. you can't spot train and get completely toned. Should you lose weight by keeping a diet and doing a large number of only sit ups and push ups, then you will end up with very large (muscluar) back and bis as well as abs, but the rest of your body will be weak and feeble.
 

deftron

Lifer
Nov 17, 2000
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I don't mean muscular ... just toned

I'm already very slim naturally,
but I have a slight beer gut in the making

SO I just want to reduce my gut slightly
and build up my chest a little.


That's all


 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
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Originally posted by: yobarman
NO. you can't spot train and get completely toned. Should you lose weight by keeping a diet and doing a large number of only sit ups and push ups, then you will end up with very large (muscluar) back and bis as well as abs, but the rest of your body will be weak and feeble.
Yeah right:roll:

Of course you can get well toned but you would have to do a lot of both exercises. Lifting weights would be easier to get the same results.
 

hysperion

Senior member
May 12, 2004
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I disagree, since last august I have done pushups, sit ups and running....I've lost 35 lbs and have 6 pack abs....this is only doing 2 mins of pu, su and a 2mile run every other day......I've also stopped eating fast food and most crap entirely though.....to work different muscles just do different versions of situps/pushups....
 

Kipper

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2000
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Originally posted by: hysperion
I disagree, since last august I have done pushups, sit ups and running....I've lost 35 lbs and have 6 pack abs....this is only doing 2 mins of pu, su and a 2mile run every other day......I've also stopped eating fast food and most crap entirely though.....to work different muscles just do different versions of situps/pushups....

It's the run that is doing that for you...
 

Landroval

Platinum Member
Feb 5, 2005
2,275
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Push ups can be good, if they are challenging. Also, weighted pullups work. Neither will make you big, but will build some muscle and help the V-shape. And it will burn some fat, as long as you don't start overeating.
 

Promethply

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2005
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It'll tone mostly your abdominals, pectorals, and triceps, especially as you get more efficient with your motion.

Frequency wise, it depends on the individuals, but probably three sets of forty reps of pushups one day, then three sets of forty reps of situps the next day, and so on, will do it.
 
Jun 14, 2003
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Originally posted by: deftron

IF so, how many per day ?


get in the gym
do core stability work, oh and do some swimming...swimming exercises alot of muscles at once

use in the gym.....power bags, (sand bags) medicine balls, swiss balls (check google for example exercises using these)

sit ups, press ups, squats, calf raises, etc
 

UncleWai

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2001
5,701
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91
push ups and sit ups don't do anything dramatic. Jogging will be a lot more efficient.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
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No. You need to lose bodyfat. Being "toned" is mostly about having a low bodyfat percentage. And you can't spot reduce fat.

I'd just start eating better and start working out in general. Look at it this way- if you eat healthier than you did before, and you work out more than you did before, your body can only look better because of it.
 

deftron

Lifer
Nov 17, 2000
10,868
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Originally posted by: 91TTZ
No. You need to lose bodyfat. Being "toned" is mostly about having a low bodyfat percentage. And you can't spot reduce fat.

I'd just start eating better and start working out in general. Look at it this way- if you eat healthier than you did before, and you work out more than you did before, your body can only look better because of it.

I already have no bodyfat.

Borderline underweight for my height ...


Just wanted to firm the gut up and maybe build arms and chest a bit

 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
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Originally posted by: deftron

I already have no bodyfat.

Borderline underweight for my height ...


Just wanted to firm the gut up and maybe build arms and chest a bit

Then you're all set. Eating better always helps, but you should also lift heavy. Muscle always looks ripped if you have no bodyfat.
 

kreactor

Senior member
Jan 3, 2005
709
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pu works fine, just have to make em intense enough

i used to some after work while waiting for the subway (long wait after midnight)

try this

do 1 rep, rest 15-30 sec, and add 1 rep to each set, rest, repeat
when u hit like 8-10 rep set, decrease 1 rep to each set...

before u say this is easy, try it...
first time i try em i almost land on my face when my arms gave in
on my descending 7 rep set..

usually take 10- 15 minutes
 

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
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Originally posted by: deftron
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
No. You need to lose bodyfat. Being "toned" is mostly about having a low bodyfat percentage. And you can't spot reduce fat.

I'd just start eating better and start working out in general. Look at it this way- if you eat healthier than you did before, and you work out more than you did before, your body can only look better because of it.

I already have no bodyfat.

Borderline underweight for my height ...


Just wanted to firm the gut up and maybe build arms and chest a bit

91 speaks the truth, if you have a gut you have bodyfat. Men tend to put it on most at the gut, women most at the hips, and the (in your case seemingly high) percentage that ends up at the gut is genetically predetermined. In short, you need to eat less and/or healthier and do cardiovascular exercise, such as jogging, bicycling, rollerblading etc. to lose the fat around your midsection.