Thread: Do you believe someone could build a nice physique only doing freeweight exercises?

Depends were you started from.

depends on your body and genetics. I knew a kid in high school that did only movements using his own body weight and was thick and lean. The first time he ever benched a weight in his life he was doing 265lbs. He was short and stocky in build. From the looks of him its obvious that he was genetically gifted.

I guess the best answer is try it and see what happens. What works for others may not work for you.

I mean bodyweight.

It's possible to have a nice physique using other ways of resistance as well. My dad knew someone who had a very nice build and who was extremely strong. The only resistance he used was a towel. He'd hold it in one hand and push with the other, then pull, then switch his grip, then do something else, etc.. Not really isometrics because he was pretty free to move, but similar in theory.

When I read the thread title I was going to say 'Weightlifters' but then I saw your second post and that ruined my fun.

Yes, I do think it's possible. Between pullups, body rows, pushups, handstand pushups, squats, reverse hyperextensions, GHRs, situps, unilateral variations of these movements, etc. a good physique is definitely attainable. Plyometrics and sprinting would also be a valuable addition to this arsenal.

Originally Posted by god hand

By nice physique I dont mean Ronnie Coleman. I'm talkin about someone bewteen 185-205 that did nothing but pushups, pullups, etc.

So you mean bodyweight, not free-weight.

Depending on the person, yes. I've seen people with nice physiques who did NOTHING. Last meso-type person I worked with was 205 at 5'8" and he did nothing at all.

hell yes

Yep.

Originally Posted by god hand

By nice physique I dont mean Ronnie Coleman. I'm talkin about someone bewteen 185-205 that did nothing but pushups, pullups, etc.

With good genetics, yes...

You don't need good genetics. You just need knowledge and dedication.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

You don't need good genetics. You just need knowledge and dedication.

I guess we have different standards...

Actually I'm using the standards in post #1. He said a nice physique, not something like Ronnie Coleman, etc. - to me this means a lean, muscular look, not some freak with huge biceps.

Gymnasts do pretty much only bodyweight routines....their legs are usually pretty small but their musculature is pretty dense looking.