Thread: What's best for size

I think dumbbell presses are great. However, this is highly debatable, and the variation between people is most likely very large.

this question is ridiculous...

Originally Posted by Arnie's left nu

this question is ridiculous...

Last time I logged on this was a bodybuilding site. Makes damn good sense to me... Only thing ridiculous is your comment...

Anyhow, I'd like to know what you guys have found to work best?

Originally Posted by bkc

Anyhow, I'd like to know what you guys have found to work best?

It's different for each individual.

Originally Posted by bkc

My opinion:
Chest/Bench Presses in the 6-8 rep range
Quads/Squats in the 6-10 rep range
Back/Lat Pulldowns in the 8-10 rep range
Tris/Lying French Presses in the 8-10 rep range
Bis/Barbell Curls in the 6-8 rep range
Delts/Behind the neck Barbell Presses in the 6-8 rep range
Hams/Lying Leg Curls in the 8-10 rep range
Calves/Standing Calf Raises in the 10-12 rep range
Abs/Weighted Decline Sit-ups in the 15-20 rep range

I don't know why i'm entertaining this question, because you're WAY behind in BB if you think one exercise will make you grow (not you in particular, just "you" in general). The whole beauty of BB is finding which exercises work for you, then fine tuning it to keep your body growing...

Therefore, while i believe 1 ex. is definitely not sufficient, here are the ones i personally believe are important b/c either:
1. they work more muscles than any other movement (ie deadlift)
2. this particular muscle was lagging, so these ex.'s are bringing up that part specifically
3. these work the best for me in particular

Chest-inclines(i don't care what anyone says, it DOES work upper chest ) or dips

Quads-hack squats

Back-deadlifts

Tris-straight bar pressdowns or closegrip bench

bi's-bb curls

delts-upright rows (works frontal delts and traps) or seated bent over laterals (most people's rear delts lag way behind their fronts)

hams-sldl

calves- seated leg press raises

abs- leg raises

Personally i like/use Big Louie's "no routine" routine, where i switch exercises, order, sets, reps etc. etc. from workout to workout, to keep the body guessin'. Therefore, although i like these exercises listed above, they aren't neccesarily involved every w.o.

hope this helps...

FLEX

Originally Posted by Flex

It's different for each individual.

I agree 100% bro. Just trying to get an idea of what I should truely focus on and hopefully help others decide as well.

Originally Posted by Flex

I don't know why i'm entertaining this question, because you're WAY behind in BB if you think one exercise will make you grow (not you in particular, just "you" in general). The whole beauty of BB is finding which exercises work for you, then fine tuning it to keep your body growing...

Therefore, while i believe 1 ex. is definitely not sufficient, here are the ones i personally believe are important b/c either:
1. they work more muscles than any other movement (ie deadlift)
2. this particular muscle was lagging, so these ex.'s are bringing up that part specifically
3. these work the best for me in particular

Chest-inclines(i don't care what anyone says, it DOES work upper chest ) or dips

Quads-hack squats

Back-deadlifts

Tris-straight bar pressdowns or closegrip bench

bi's-bb curls

delts-upright rows (works frontal delts and traps) or seated bent over laterals (most people's rear delts lag way behind their fronts)

hams-sldl

calves- seated leg press raises

abs- leg raises

Personally i like/use Big Louie's "no routine" routine, where i switch exercises, order, sets, reps etc. etc. from workout to workout, to keep the body guessin'. Therefore, although i like these exercises listed above, they aren't neccesarily involved every w.o.

hope this helps...

FLEX

Not sure how you even came to conclusion that I was asking what one exercise was enough but I agree it's not. However some exercises are definitely better for adding size (compound movements i know). I agree that you should hit a muscle hard and heavy from all angles whole heartedly. I guess I'm looking for that bread and butter exercise. I know that's usually flat barbell bench presses (mine now) but I'm always open to fresh ideas and moving forward. I LOVE inclines btw... My question and comment was what's the best exercise you've found more adding size. I already have a great build and know my stuff FLEX but I'm always wanting to learn. Even if I was "THE MAN" I'd want to learn... Not sure why people are here. Good ass question in my mind and it's the kind of question I joined this killer site to find the answer to...

i prefer dumbbells. I believe they have worked best for me.

dumbbells for me, i love them and for me it hits my chest alot more then barbell does.

Good question. I agree with your choices, with the possible exception of chest, where i think flys are as good or better than presses. For lats, weighted wide grip chins or T-bar rows might be comparable. For some of the exercises, a switch to 1 or 2-handed dumbbells are useful. For abs, i think anything other than light weights should be avoided, keep the reps high.

On reps, i tend to stay around 10-12, i'll have to try the lower reps you're using, see how it feels.