Quinch Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 It's about time I started getting fit because I look in the mirror and don't like what I see. My first target is my pecs. I can't afford the gym right now so does anyone know any good exercises I can do at home to tone them up? Link to post Share on other sites
FleshNBones Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Use push ups. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_up Link to post Share on other sites
taiko Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Without a gym you are pretty much limited to pushups which are harder to do then most thing. Atleast with pushups you will also strengthen your core as you attempt to keep your back straight. If you have something like kitchen cabinets which make L turn you can also do dips on them. If you have a sturdy bench with a pair of dumb bells you can do flys and presses. But to start pushups, if you can do them, squats and situps will get you started as the militaries of the world discovered long ago. Link to post Share on other sites
Salicious Crumb Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 It's about time I started getting fit because I look in the mirror and don't like what I see. My first target is my pecs. I can't afford the gym right now so does anyone know any good exercises I can do at home to tone them up? If you had just one exercise that makes the biggest difference...its the butterfly press...bar none...then the bench press...then lat presses. Butterfly is laying down, holding a dumbell in each hand(don't try to do too much weight with them, you can tear yourself up pretty good)...then extend your arms out to the side and slowly wing them up above you. http://www.getwiththeprogram.org/dumbbell.html Under this site its listed as the Dumbell Fly. This is the one exercise that will develop your chest more than any other...too many say the bench press does...and it definitely works out your chest...but if you want those pecs to rip...then do the fly. Link to post Share on other sites
FleshNBones Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 I think you would be better off starting with exercises that rely on your bodyweight. Use push ups, pull ups, sit ups, etc. Make sure you are eating properly or may end up with little or no gain. You can also get a jump rope or some "therapeutic tubing". The tubing is a safe cheap alternative to free weights, and you can vary the resistance. With a jump rope, you can get the same benefits as jogging or cycling without traveling for miles. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Quinch Posted May 5, 2007 Author Share Posted May 5, 2007 Thanks for the help guys. The video on wikipedia will be useful I'm never sure if I'm doing press-ups properly so probably making it more difficult on myself. Do the elbows stick out to the sides or tuck in to the torso? Link to post Share on other sites
FleshNBones Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Thanks for the help guys. The video on wikipedia will be useful I'm never sure if I'm doing press-ups properly so probably making it more difficult on myself. Do the elbows stick out to the sides or tuck in to the torso?Your elbows should stick out forcing you to use your pecs. Spacing your hands closer together should empahsize your triceps more, and spacing them farther appart should emphasize your pecs more. At the appartment I live in, I usually do a few pull ups at the stairwell. I would lean forward to grab the second floor ledge, and swing my legs back when I finish. The only problem is the concrete is coarse which made my hands a little callous. You can pull up with your hands in front of you to emphasize your biceps, or you can pull up with your hands to the sides emphasizing your back muscles. Link to post Share on other sites
FleshNBones Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Make sure you give yourself enough rest. You should workout two or three times a week for at least two weeks. Link to post Share on other sites
Lights Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Losing the pecs It's about time I started getting fit because I look in the mirror and don't like what I see. My first target is my pecs. I can't afford the gym right now so does anyone know any good exercises I can do at home to tone them up? What do you mean by "losing the pecs"? If this is an allusion to losing some fat that's over them, there's nothing you can do except lose weight--there's no such thing as what they call "spot reduction". For building/toning the pectoral muscles, the others have already given you some ideas. What equipment do you have available at home? http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/ChestWt.html Also, for the purposes of muscular balance, you might want to do back/shoulder exercises to complement the chest development. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
FleshNBones Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 It is almost seven weeks. You should start seeing some results by now. Link to post Share on other sites
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