Want to build upper body muscle

[DyslexicHobo]

I'm not in horrible shape, but I've always wanted to get some upper body muscle and bulk up just a bit. I'm a commuting college student (as in I have NO $$$) and I want to start a very small, easy workout routine in the comfort of my own bedroom.

I bought 1 30lb free weight just to curl in my free time to get my biceps a little bigger, but it's kind of pointless just to sit around doing bicep curls all day.

When I exercise, I'm used to having all sorts of weight machines and bench presses around; the only times I've worked out was during high school where a weight room was supplied for us. This means I have no clue how to use free weights effectively. Can someone suggest a few exercises that could help me bulk up a little bit without spending too much money? I wouldn't mind purchasing a couple more different free weights if necessary.

Thanks!

Edit: Oh, I also had another question: I sometimes do an inclined bench-press type of exercise with my free weight. I hold it on level with my shoulder and lift up above my head, I don't know what it's called. I was wondering if it's bad to do it while just holding one weight on one side, doing a set, and then switching sides. It feels like it might be putting unnecessary strain on my back. Is this okay, or should I stay away from it?

 

[kindest]

here is a killer arm and chest workout.
im a big fan of this guy.. his super sets are really intense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UheCchftswc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQAh7m4xsMo

check out his other videos..
its all do at home stuff with minimal equipment.
stick with it.

 

[TallBill]

Working just chest and biceps will get you nowhere quick. Plan on working your back just as hard or harder, and the triceps as well.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: kindest
here is a killer arm and chest workout.
im a big fan of this guy.. his super sets are really intense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UheCchftswc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQAh7m4xsMo

check out his other videos..
its all do at home stuff with minimal equipment.
stick with it.

haha that guy is jacked and i dunno why but i couldn't stop laughing at him grunting and then hearing his lame ass voice.

those look to be pretty good exercises but i doubt that guy did any of those exercisees to get that big

 

[kindest]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: kindest
here is a killer arm and chest workout.
im a big fan of this guy.. his super sets are really intense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UheCchftswc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQAh7m4xsMo

check out his other videos..
its all do at home stuff with minimal equipment.
stick with it.

haha that guy is jacked and i dunno why but i couldn't stop laughing at him grunting and then hearing his lame ass voice.

those look to be pretty good exercises but i doubt that guy did any of those exercisees to get that big

try any of his super sets i guranteee you will be sore tommorow no matter how big and strong you are. im sure he has been to the gym but most of what you see is a product of his home workouts. heh but ya hes pretty amusing.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: kindest

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: kindest
here is a killer arm and chest workout.
im a big fan of this guy.. his super sets are really intense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UheCchftswc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQAh7m4xsMo

check out his other videos..
its all do at home stuff with minimal equipment.
stick with it.

haha that guy is jacked and i dunno why but i couldn't stop laughing at him grunting and then hearing his lame ass voice.

those look to be pretty good exercises but i doubt that guy did any of those exercisees to get that big

try any of his super sets i guranteee you will be sore tommorow no matter how big and strong you are. im sure he has been to the gym but most of what you see is a product of his home workouts. heh but ya hes pretty amusing.

i didnt say you will be sore, that doesn't mean you will become bigger though.

you get sore by doing pushups but you won't really gain much muscle if that's all you do.

EDIT:

haha also i just noticed, his arms are like bigger than his legs. (granted it may be the angle)

 

[TallBill]

The video just reminds me that I need to toss in some netagive curls sometime to try them out.

 

[kindest]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: kindest

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: kindest
here is a killer arm and chest workout.
im a big fan of this guy.. his super sets are really intense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UheCchftswc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQAh7m4xsMo

check out his other videos..
its all do at home stuff with minimal equipment.
stick with it.

haha that guy is jacked and i dunno why but i couldn't stop laughing at him grunting and then hearing his lame ass voice.

those look to be pretty good exercises but i doubt that guy did any of those exercisees to get that big

try any of his super sets i guranteee you will be sore tommorow no matter how big and strong you are. im sure he has been to the gym but most of what you see is a product of his home workouts. heh but ya hes pretty amusing.

i didnt say you will be sore, that doesn't mean you will become bigger though.

you get sore by doing pushups but you won't really gain much muscle if that's all you do.

EDIT:

haha also i just noticed, his arms are like bigger than his legs. (granted it may be the angle)

sore = gain. thats how i look and feel about it.
my philsophy on lifting is real slow and try for perfect form. im sure theres a point where doing pushups does nothing but im not there yet.

negatives hurt

 

[paulxcook]

Lightbulb alert.

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: kindest

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: kindest

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: kindest
here is a killer arm and chest workout.
im a big fan of this guy.. his super sets are really intense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UheCchftswc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQAh7m4xsMo

check out his other videos..
its all do at home stuff with minimal equipment.
stick with it.

haha that guy is jacked and i dunno why but i couldn't stop laughing at him grunting and then hearing his lame ass voice.

those look to be pretty good exercises but i doubt that guy did any of those exercisees to get that big

try any of his super sets i guranteee you will be sore tommorow no matter how big and strong you are. im sure he has been to the gym but most of what you see is a product of his home workouts. heh but ya hes pretty amusing.

i didnt say you will be sore, that doesn't mean you will become bigger though.

you get sore by doing pushups but you won't really gain much muscle if that's all you do.

EDIT:

haha also i just noticed, his arms are like bigger than his legs. (granted it may be the angle)

sore = gain. thats how i look and feel about it.
my philsophy on lifting is real slow and try for perfect form. im sure theres a point where doing pushups does nothing but im not there yet.

negatives hurt

Soreness or DOMS does not equal growth. Some people experience soreness after every workout, others never. Purebeast is correct, you can do sets of 100 rep curls with pink dumbbells if your goal is to feel sore.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Your CC must have a weight room, you pay for classes there, use it. Or does yours' nickel&dime you and charge extra for the privilege?

 

[DyslexicHobo]

Eh, I guess I could use my school's gym. It's pretty nice. It's just kind of a hassle because it's a 30 minute commute. I'm going to have work right after classes almost every day, so the only time I'll have to work out is at night.

Just a question though... soreness does not mean growth? What exactly is the difference between doing 100 curls with pink dumbells, or 10 curls with heavy ones? I know from high school that heavier weights at less reps will give more muscle mass than low weights at high reps. Why is this? Does it work with different muscle tissue or something?

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: DyslexicHobo
Eh, I guess I could use my school's gym. It's pretty nice. It's just kind of a hassle because it's a 30 minute commute. I'm going to have work right after classes almost every day, so the only time I'll have to work out is at night.

Just a question though... soreness does not mean growth? What exactly is the difference between doing 100 curls with pink dumbells, or 10 curls with heavy ones? I know from high school that heavier weights at less reps will give more muscle mass than low weights at high reps. Why is this? Does it work with different muscle tissue or something?

I can't speak for the techniques, but sore muscles in general are literally muscles that have been damaged (on a microscopic level) due to physical stress. They regrow/heal and become stronger in the process. How much visible muscle mass you can obtain is largely determined by genetics.

Personally, I recommend rowing (or a martial art) for a full core workout. You need to do a separate exercise for triceps and lower abs, but beyond that it (rowing) covers everything.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: DyslexicHobo
I'm not in horrible shape, but I've always wanted to get some upper body muscle and bulk up just a bit. I'm a commuting college student (as in I have NO $$$) and I want to start a very small, easy workout routine in the comfort of my own bedroom.

I bought 1 30lb free weight just to curl in my free time to get my biceps a little bigger, but it's kind of pointless just to sit around doing bicep curls all day.

When I exercise, I'm used to having all sorts of weight machines and bench presses around; the only times I've worked out was during high school where a weight room was supplied for us. This means I have no clue how to use free weights effectively. Can someone suggest a few exercises that could help me bulk up a little bit without spending too much money? I wouldn't mind purchasing a couple more different free weights if necessary.

Thanks!

Edit: Oh, I also had another question: I sometimes do an inclined bench-press type of exercise with my free weight. I hold it on level with my shoulder and lift up above my head, I don't know what it's called. I was wondering if it's bad to do it while just holding one weight on one side, doing a set, and then switching sides. It feels like it might be putting unnecessary strain on my back. Is this okay, or should I stay away from it?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but what is your diet like? How many calories are you eating per day? How many grams of protein? You aren't going to build an ounce of muscle unless you are eating enough every day.

 

[kindest]

yes doing 100 curls of super lightweight of same excersise isnt maximizing potential thats for sure. yes you will be sore but not much gain... no where near as maximizing with 5 reps of something a lot heavier. im a fan of supersets.. i wouldnt do just one excersise for a certain muscle.. rowing sounds kewl. i might have to try that.

 

[tjaisv]

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