Exercises for a stronger upper chest?

[Bob]

Yes, yes.  Giggle, giggle.

I did the ones where you lie down and lift weights from the sides, having your arms stretched out.  So now I have little pecs or whatever they are.     But above that it's flat.  Haha.  It doesn't quite look right.

So apparently lifting weights that way doesn't work.  What does? 

[thalbergmad]

What you are describing there sounds like flyes which are not really a size builder but produces definition.

Bench pressing is the building block for good pecs. You have to build something first in order to chisel it down to shape. Continuous adjustments to the angle of the bench will ensure good development for upper and lower pecs.

Alternatively, you could get a "moob" job. More men than ever are having breast implants. It is rumoured that Simon Cowell had one.

Thal

[keyboardclass]

Are manboobs really necessary to play the piano?  My guess is they'd get in the way.

edit: ooh sorry, wrong forum.

[stevebob]

The old-school, low-tech answer is the push-up.

(If you already have manboobs, you might want a different sort of push-up to complement them.     )

[orangesodaking]

Pushups, bench press (with either two dumbbells or a single bar with weights on each side), and butterflies (what you were doing) are three good ones.

[dss62467]

You all are too funny.

[ponken]

Are manboobs really necessary to play the piano?  My guess is they'd get in the way.

edit: ooh sorry, wrong forum.

Haha! This made me laugh!

Edit: If they are really long he could use them to play pieces for four hands.

[Bob]

It's not a manboobs thing.  It's just about staying in some kind of shape.  Lifting weights by itself really doesn't work -- It's not using the right muscles. 

I tried holding the weight up with an L-shaped arm, weight on top.  That seemed to work the right muscles. 

I really need to find something better though.  I'm pretty sure I'm ignoring some muscles.  If these were ignored, probably others are.  I need a book or website or something that matches what I'm looking for. 

I think my back is probably weak too.  That could relate to an issue of overall energy -- As soon as I do something, I get worn out.  Could be a weak back.  Stupid body...

[keyboardclass]

Could be poor posture.  How are your rhomboids?

[Bob]

What areou rhomboids?

Someone must have something on here.  I'd like a resource (esp free) that tells me how to exercise different areas -- most specifically the trunk, chest, etc., upper body.  Jogging, walking, and bike riding seem to cut it for the legs.  I'm not sure how to hit all the muscles. 

[thalbergmad]

https://www.ironguru.com/

When i was training properly Bob, everyone read about Vince Gironda and his methods.

The basic rules do not change.

Thal

[Bob]

Pushups seemed ok.

I thought it was interesting that after lifting some weights I liked the extra movement.  There are some movements I was avoiding because they were too much work.  Kind of funny that way.

Thanks for the site Thal.

[keyboardclass]

What areou rhomboids?

They pull your shoulder blades toward the spine so the weight of your shoulders and arms hang off your back not your front. 

[timothy42b]

https://www.ironguru.com/

When i was training properly Bob, everyone read about Vince Gironda and his methods.

The basic rules do not change.

Thal

The basics don't, but some of the mythology has been debunked.  Most of the exercises to give a particular shape to a muscle group are completely bogus - genetics determines the shape. 

Specific to the OP's question, dips are squats for the upper body.  You don't need to do them like Vince says, because he's wrong about what they produce.  But he's right about how good the exercise is.  Dips will build chest and upper body (shoulders, arms, etc.) better than most other exercises. 

You start with body weight, but very soon you'll add a weighted belt.

I would suggest trying single progression if you're new to this.  That is, for any exercise use a set of 10 reps.  Ignore the advice to start at 8 and work up to 12 then add weight.  Just stay at 10 and add weight each week, a tiny amount.  It's less confusing and less likely to lead to overtraining and injury.  Once you're an experienced lifter you'll use other systems. 

So, when you can do 10 dips, add 1 pound to your belt.  next workout you should be stronger.  If you are not stronger after every workout, you did one of three things wrong:  you didn't work out hard enough, or you didn't rest long enough, or you didn't eat enough.   

[Bob]

This is just for occasional exercise.  I can't see myself getting a weight belt anytime soon.  Or anytime later either.  There's no commitment or consistency for lifting weights.  It's whenever I get interested in doing that again.

The pushups did seem to work pretty well. 

[timothy42b]

Occasional exercise?  That's a concept I have trouble wrapping my mind around.  Like maybe occasionally playing piano. 

Fitness fades quickly if not maintained.  If you don't do it regularly, you risk injury but receive no benefits, you're probably better off not doing it at all.

You may get enough physical activity from your lifestyle.  Some people do.  I have a desk job so I make time for regular exercise.  It's never too late to develop good habits.

But since practice of two instruments takes up most of my free time, I try to do my exercise in the most efficient and quickest way I can figure out. 

[Bob]

It's good enough for me.  It works.  It's not that big of a deal.