Push ups or weight lifting?

[Al B. Sure!]

I realize that the problem with push ups is that there is a finite amount of weight that you can lift (your own body weight) whereas you can always add greater weights to your dumbells, etc. but in general, for an average person, what is better for strengthening your upper body? Push ups or weights?

[KrazyHorse]

Feeling inadequate again?

[Al B. Sure!]

the problem is KH that i'm overly adequate (perhaps too adequate) in my lower regions, it's just my upper body that needs some work.

[KrazyHorse]

I've never heard of anybody who needed to lift weights in order to gain the ability to masturbate before.

[Asher]

Medication is always the answer, Speer.

[Al B. Sure!]

I've never heard of anybody who needed to lift weights in order to gain the ability to masturbate before.

so you're saying push-ups will do the trick?

i'm glad I came to you, KH... such an expert

[KrazyHorse]

In all possible situations I recommend push-ups.

[Urban Ranger]

Pushups only train a limited set of muscles on your upper body. You can always add other exercises such as chin-ups, though.

[Ted Striker]

start with pushups and then move up to weights later

don't underestimate push-ups, you can build alot of mass and strenght with them. if your wrists start to get strained you can get pushup handles that raise you hands off the ground and alleviate the stress on your wrists.

start off with 10 sets of 10 pushups. If you can do that very easily then move up to 4 sets of 25. alter your hand width every once in a while. close grip is better for triceps, wide grip is better for chest.

[Al'Kimiya]

Doesn't this depend on your weight

[Ted Striker]

not really

any weight is better than doing nothing

pushups can be even better for skinny guys since they start low they can build up quick and build alot of chest strenght whereas the fatter guys might give up early if they are too heavy

[Solly]

Skinny guys + push ups = low weight and high reps = not much mass gain = skinny guy stays skinny

Fat guys + push ups = heavy weight and low reps = mass gain, but underneath flab = fat guy gets more muscle buried beneath the same old fat

So I would say weight lifting and explosive cardio activity.

[Ted Striker]

but look at some of the guys that go into the military and get huge off of nothing but pushups and pullups. pushups are the best way to build up a foundation of upper body strenght. just put a bar in your doorway and you can get huge by just doing pushups and pullups.

the main thing is the diet. if your diet sucks you aren't going to grow no matter what you do

not only that, you get your tendons, ligaments, and bones used to support heavy weight. that's important

my recommendation is to ALWAYS do alot of pushups before going into the weight room

the progression should go:

1) bodyweight exercises
2) machines
3) free weights
4) combo of all 3 when you are experienced

[DeathByTheSword]

well what i always have to do is this: (REMEMBER: together with a full excirsize)

80% MAX Weight benchpress 15x
80% flies with free weights 15x
push up 15x
no brake between them

and that 3 times...

it is great to get everything strong and you will get some extra mass...and it tires you out like hell

[DeathByTheSword]

over all ted here is totally right...and oh yeah never forget to do your back....everybody always forgets that one