Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with upperbody

If this don't make your booty move, your booty must be dead.

softsantear — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:10:27 -0800

What exercise can I do to keep my midsection and above fit after surgery on my butt? I had a cyst near my tailbone removed, and it's still very uncomfortable to sit in most positions, bend down, or move my legs excessively. Getting in and out of bed is a blast, by the way.

All of this sitting on an inflatable donut and not doing anything for fear of a sharp pain in my butt is leading to a lot of stiffness. And the gut I was beginning to develop is going nowhere fast.

I was just starting to get into pilates before this, but since that primarily involves seated matwork, it's out of the question. What are some techniques I could do to at least work out my body from the waist up? (Dumbbells are an obvious answer, but I'd like to target my torso, ideally.)

Previous posters who had injured their legs asked something similar, but taking the advice posted there and doing things in a seated position (e.g., cycling) is, egad, exactly what I don't want to do. Something involving standing up and twistin' and turnin' is what I'm looking for, I suppose - I tried inventing some moves of my own, but it didn't feel "right."

FWIW, I'm more or less fit enough to do any nature or intensity of exercise you can suggest, so long as it doesn't involve moving my legs and hips too much.

Disclaimer: I'll ask my doc for clearance tomorrow before I attempt to perform any of your suggestions.

Help a weakling achieve her first push-up!

geekgirl397 — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 08:25:15 -0800

I'm a 35 yr old female, 5'6", 120lbs, in good general shape (walk loads, work out) who has never been able to achieve a single-push up. It's a key move to many of the workouts I want to do, but most strength-building programs assume that even the weakest can do at least one. What should I do? I want to include yoga and pilates in my routine, but the yoga "chaturanga" pose escapes me, making it hard to do "sun salutations" which are the core of many routines. Part of my routine is the interactive game "Yourself Fitness" on the PS/2 - this features fitness tests every 10 workouts, which include pushups as a measure. I just sit them out and enter fake info, which is frustrating.

I am in good general health. I walk between 15 and 20 miles a week and do yoga/pilates/weight routines for 30 mins about 3 times a week (hoping to ramp up to more). In the past, I've devoted a lot of time to staying fit, and for several years worked out six days a week for at least 45 mins, once a week with a trainer for an hour. Even at my fittest, I was unable to do a single push-up. I could/can do chest presses, flys, etc. with lightish weights. I can hold the yoga "plank" position and "side plank" for a decent amount of time.

I am thinking of finding a yoga teacher and getting an individual lesson to see if that helps me finally get chaturanga, but I don't have a lot of time/money and I don't currently know of a teacher I trust. (Also, gym trainers and yoga/pilates class teachers in the past have not been able to teach me to do a push up or achieve chaturanga.)

Has anybody else out here had this problem? I feel like a freak. Has anyone been able to overcome it? How? Are there any "tricks" or tips that might help me to do my very first push up, and work up from there?

How do I build upper body strength without weights?

rachelpapers — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:06:17 -0800

Looking for a simple routine to build upper body strength without weights. I am interested in developing my upper body strength, but I am terrible at going to the gym in order to do so. I can do aerobics there every day, but I can never seem to get around to doing weights.

Anyway, I'm trying to change by starting off at home. I don't have any weights at home, so I am interested in a small set of exercises that I could do on a semi-regular basis to help develop my upper body strength. I would prefer something simple.

Thanks, y'all.

Applying Mentzer's HIT for upperbody only

gttommy — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 06:37:14 -0800

I just want to build upper body with Mentzer's HIT approach, can someone with experience with HIT tell me if I'm getting enough rest? (Details inside) Mike Mentzer's HIT approach basically requires 6 or more days recovery between workouts:

1. Chest and back
2. Legs A
3. Shoulders and arms
4. Legs B

So the workout cycle would last 3-4 weeks. My goal is upper body development (I do however perform squats on Shoulder/Arm day). If I only do 1. and 3. alternating every 7 days, obviously this means less rest between working upper body. However after 7 days I feel 100%. Is this still good for growth or should I rest longer?

Additional info: I'm around 150lbs, taking protein (100-150g), fish oil and multivitamins daily.

Additional question :) I know Mentzer stressed the importance on a balanced diet of LOW protein and high Carbs in one of his books... from those who tried HIT successfully do you think he could be wrong about this?

Upper body exercises without using wrists

grouse — Sun, 21 May 2006 12:41:39 -0800

What are some upper body exercises I can do without putting any load on my wrists? I have an wrist repetitive strain injury but I am trying to keep my upper body in good shape regardless. The only problem is most machines and exercises for building upper arms, shoulders, and chest involve holding a weight, handle, or my body with my hands and therefore putting some strain on my wrists, which I would like to avoid. Have any suggestions, for both in the gym and out?