Toning Up/Bulking up with little resources

[mirrorimage87]

Hi,

I am 17 (18 in july) COLLEGE SOPHOMORE (irregular food patterns to say the least) and still pubescent; i say this because i dont want to mess up my metabolic rate, growth and developement by dieting like men who are post-pubescent, and can handle it. Protein and drinking water is the closest i come to dieting

I have a slim muscular build, 5'10 or 5'11 about 175lbs (to put in perspective, i . I can [max] bench about 240 1x, and i regularly bench about 200 - 205 lbs. I curl about 45 - 50 lbs with and leg press about 350 lbs...

ok so with all that said, i would like to get leaner, tone up my abdomen (6 pac not necessary, just tone), and bulk up my upper body (just a little). I want to do this before i go back to school in august, and i know it can be done since im not trying to gain a lot more bulk. However, all i have is a total gym and myself. I was thinking of doing pushups to gain a little bulk, as most of my muscular tone came from me doing pushups in my earlier years. Anyway, i have been reading threads about how push-ups may only be good for beginners, or those who cant lift their own body weight... so with my background, and my resources, is there any hope of me getting a little bigger/toning up? Are pushups OK to continue for building?

Additional Info: I'm a dancer and choreographer, and i dance for cardio. I have this protein that has the following nutritional facts (with 2% milk, which is what i use)

Serving size: 222g of Whey protein (4 scoops)
1260 calories
20 g fat
10 g sat. fat
174 mg Cholesterol
751mg Na+
1441mg K+
185g C(H2O)
42.5 g sugars
74g protein
assorted vitamins and such..

 

[TriZZle305]

Pushups will not help you bulk at all so your best bet is using the chest exercises on the "Total Gym" because they will probably provide you more resistance than pushups... Im assuming that at your level of fitness pushups will only provide you w/ muscular endurance, the more you do.

It is all in your "diet" that determines whether you "tone" up in your stomach or not. If you browse the thread you'll find that there are several your age and younger and you can use their diets as a model. Basically you need a lower caloric intake and to workout on your Total Gym maybe 4 times a week. The only thing that might be different about the older members are some different supplements and maybe hormones or steroids however other than that, everyone is eating food either they are eating a lot, or eating less. I suggest you become a member to a gym with free weights, you will see more results in there. Thats all i can tell you based on what you said.

 

[gr81]

I suggest you become a member to a gym with free weights, you will see more results in there. Thats all i can tell you based on what you said.

 

[sciencedude87]

Hey dude,

Basically, you are at a level of fitness that wouldnt allow you to benifit as much from push-ups alone if you were, say, a beginner. In addition, the Total Gym is a great machine -- for toning up and not building muscle. I believe the highest level on the TG yields 70% your body weight, and you can lift about 140% your body weight. So, these options wont yield maximum results, and like TriZZle305 said, a gym would yield the best results. However, if you cannot get to a gym, i would say modify your push-ups and reduce the rate of push-up so that more force is incorporated.

F = ma, so if your mass is constant your accelaration must increase to increase force, this can be done by pretending gravity has a greater downward force than usual. Make sure, though, you keep proper form

Also, cardio and such, since your a dancer, your abdomen tone should come rather quickly. Make sure u have a good amount of time between working out and dancing...

Dieting... yes, as a college student, i know college sux, but ur at home now right? Suck down some of that good (and it seems like its good quality) protein to supplement your nutrition, do not use it as a replacement. Dieting is a big deal in the bodybuilding world, but you dont have to eat 3 egg whites, 5 ounce chicken, 1 cup of rice and broccoli all the time, just as long as you eat many times per day, and healthy. Each time you eat, your metabolism is active to chemically break down and use the nutrients you put in ur body, so eating 5-6 times a day will help keep your metabolic rate up. In two months, you can probably get a nice toned abdomen (maybe even a six pac), and you can definately get toned up. As for building a heavy mount of muscle, unless you get to a gym with your weight potential, you wont gain much in the time frame you indicated

IN A NUTSHELL:
Dieting: Eat a lot (frequency, not necessarily quantity), but healthy stuff
Cardio: Dance ur @$$ off, but dont let your body become used to only that type
Building: For now, force/position modified pushups for minimal build. Total gym for tone


Hope this helps
Sciencedude87

 

[gr81]

look science dude, maybe you need to get back to your studies b/c what your saying is just foolish. your trying far to much to impress people when the fact of the matter is you haven't the first clue about resistance training, obviously.

Total Gym is a great machine -- for toning up and not building muscle. I believe the highest level on the TG yields 70% your body weight, and you can lift about 140% your body weight. So, these options wont yield maximum results, and like TriZZle305 said, a gym would yield the best results. However, if you cannot get to a gym, i would say modify your push-ups and reduce the rate of push-up so that more force is incorporated.

First off there is no such thing as toning, its a word made up by the body by jakes and the tony littles of the world. Your either inducing hypertrophy or your not. To tone simply means in essence losing the excess layer of adipose tissue to reveal musculature. Second, pushups will never offer as much resistane as resistance training, even if it is the total gym. Now your right that either option would be optimal, but if its between pushups or any sort of resistance specific movements, its the latter he should go with. You can only apply so much force to an object of no resistance btw. bottom line is he needs to suck it up and get a gym membership and stop pussy footing around with these home gyms and pushups, if he really wants to be a lifter. Please for the sanity of everyone stop using the word tone

 

[sciencedude87]

gr81,

i am not trying to impress anyone, however, i am assuming you are speaking of the "F = ma" stuff. The dude is a college sophomore, and come to think of it hes an 18 yr old college sophomore so i assume he knows a little physics. If you didnt notice he calls carbohydrates C(H2O), potassium and sodium by their chemical symbols. It seems like it is second nature to him so i figure a scientific example would be appreciated.

It seems like you missed a lot of little details our threadstarter stated. He doesnt want to "be a lifter" (atleast not within these months) he just wants to tone up and get a little bigger in 2 months. im sure at the college he is at there is a gym, so im guessing little resources is just a temporary thing for him. So, he isnt "pussyfooting" around by not getting an expensive gym membership for the two months he is away from college... Second, he is a dancer. It isnt necessary for him to get extremely bulky. And take note that he states he wants to get a LITTLE bigger....In my opinion, i think that modified pushups that use one's own body weight will do more for him than the total gym that uses 70% of one's body weight. He is already slim, he just wants to get tone and a little more mass. He says this plenty of times!!! "I want to do this before i go back to school in august, and i know it can be done since im not trying to gain a lot more bulk"

People have different responses to exercises; dont let statisticians fool you when they throw out numbers. He said most of his muscular mass was from PUSHUPS, so if they worked for him then, his body may respond better to pushups than the total gym. Now, if he had a bench and some weights, or even if he had a home gym with more weighted resistance, i would suggest that. Since, however, his resources are limited (like the thread indicates), i believe pushups hold authority over the total gym. I suggest, for the sanity of other threadstarters, you fully read and comprehend the questions asked.

 

[sciencedude87]

And, by the way gr81, the word TONE connotes exactly what you thought i should have said in its place. Tone in the sense i used it has probably been around longer than you have, and more than likely longer than the "tony littles and Body By Jakes"

 

[TriZZle305]

gr81,

i am not trying to impress anyone, however, i am assuming you are speaking of the "F = ma" stuff. The dude is a college sophomore, and come to think of it hes an 18 yr old college sophomore so i assume he knows a little physics. If you didnt notice he calls carbohydrates C(H2O), potassium and sodium by their chemical symbols. It seems like it is second nature to him so i figure a scientific example would be appreciated.

It seems like you missed a lot of little details our threadstarter stated. He doesnt want to "be a lifter" (atleast not within these months) he just wants to tone up and get a little bigger in 2 months. im sure at the college he is at there is a gym, so im guessing little resources is just a temporary thing for him. So, he isnt "pussyfooting" around by not getting an expensive gym membership for the two months he is away from college... Second, he is a dancer. It isnt necessary for him to get extremely bulky. And take note that he states he wants to get a LITTLE bigger....In my opinion, i think that modified pushups that use one's own body weight will do more for him than the total gym that uses 70% of one's body weight. He is already slim, he just wants to get tone and a little more mass. He says this plenty of times!!! "I want to do this before i go back to school in august, and i know it can be done since im not trying to gain a lot more bulk"

People have different responses to exercises; dont let statisticians fool you when they throw out numbers. He said most of his muscular mass was from PUSHUPS, so if they worked for him then, his body may respond better to pushups than the total gym. Now, if he had a bench and some weights, or even if he had a home gym with more weighted resistance, i would suggest that. Since, however, his resources are limited (like the thread indicates), i believe pushups hold authority over the total gym. I suggest, for the sanity of other threadstarters, you fully read and comprehend the questions asked.

Firstly you are way overanalyzing, you gave a very complex answer to a very simple question. Saying that he does not what to be a lifter, yet he wants to "tone up" and get a little bigger is a contradictory statement, especially on a bodybuilding forum. In order to "tone up" and "get a lil bigger" he must in fact "be a lifter" even if it is only for that short period of time.

Your emphasis on him saying "Im not trying to gain a lot more bulk" is irrelevant to what gr81 and I said about pushups vs the gym. If he doesnt want a lot more bulk he would modify his diet, because, no matter how intense you think your workout is, you will not gain "a lot more bulk" if you are not eating for "a lot more bulk". Therefore if he does not want to pay for a summer gym membership (and there are several gyms who have them cheap 2 or 3 months for students) and he refuses to purchase his own materials, then he may stay on the Total Gym and the floor(pushups) however i guarantee he will not see the results he would see in the gym, no matter how intense the pushups are and how much F=ma he puts into that floor.

SO his best bet based on your response is to run and eat right, but he will not get ANY bigger, he will though see a loss of fat in the midsection.

EDIT: and he will also not be a lifter

 

[gr81]

listen very carefully, b/c I fully understand what he says and what he thinks he knows, but neither of you comprehend the most basic fundamentals of bodybuilding. Skeletal muscle only grows in ONE way, there is no such thing as building smaller muscles compared to big thicker muscles, so the word tone, despite how long its been in use and who has used it, means nothing. Toning is a perpetrated fallacy. The only difference between a pro bodybuilder and a novice wanting to use weights to shape their physique in any manner is intensity level, the exact same principles still apply. Pushups only affect untrained people who have had little to no stimulus in their lives before, no one is going to continue growing by doind pushups, its a fact, there is no change in stimulus so its not possible. thats why we use proggressive resistance training in the first place, b/c the human body adapts to everything. the simple fact that this crappy home gym of his can shange stimulus means its better than calistetics. That being said a person is either trying to add muscle mass by increasing calories or trying to lose bodyfat by decreasing them, there is nothing else. Without being a "lifter" there is no getting bigger. Thats just something people say when they have no clue how the game works. Like I said, the same principles apply to everyone. he is not going to magically lose bodyfat from his midsection by doing pushups. its foolish to imply so. "getting tone" as you put it has nothing to do with weights, it has everything to do with diet and thats the only way to see a fat loss. there are many things that both of you don't understand so I suggest pay attention and if it seems like my sanity is a question, its only b/c there are so many ridiculous myths being flung around it makes my head spin

 

[sciencedude87]

Firstly you are way overanalyzing, you gave a very complex answer to a very simple question. Saying that he does not what to be a lifter, yet he wants to "tone up" and get a little bigger is a contradictory statement, especially on a bodybuilding forum. In order to "tone up" and "get a lil bigger" he must in fact "be a lifter" even if it is only for that short period of time.

On the contrary, i believe my answer was very thorough and simple. The only think i can think of that was remotely complex was the force reference. But seriously guys, please get off of that. And the questions (there were two) were simple, yes, but there were several elements to the questions which seem to be ignored.

Toning up and getting a little bigger is not a contradictory statement. One can have a lot of muscle mass (thus the BIG appearance), but not appear that cut and defined. One can also be very cut and defined, but not have a lot of muscle mass. I would go further to explain why this is the case, but for fear of being labeled an overanalytical complex person who knows nothing (which is it: am i too complex or do i know nothing), i will just stop there.

Our friend wanting to get toned and a little bigger may just mean he wants to appear cut while not losing muscle mass, but gaining just a little from his routines. In essence, our friend will probably weight the same, but appear much more muscular.

Your emphasis on him saying "Im not trying to gain a lot more bulk" is irrelevant to what gr81 and I said about pushups vs the gym. If he doesnt want a lot more bulk he would modify his diet, because, no matter how intense you think your workout is, you will not gain "a lot more bulk" if you are not eating for "a lot more bulk". Therefore if he does not want to pay for a summer gym membership (and there are several gyms who have them cheap 2 or 3 months for students) and he refuses to purchase his own materials, then he may stay on the Total Gym and the floor(pushups) however i guarantee he will not see the results he would see in the gym, no matter how intense the pushups are and how much F=ma he puts into that floor.

Again, the beginning statement does not follow... gr81's whole reply was about the foolishness of the word Tone. It was only proper i put in perspective what tone actually meant. This is the reason why i emphasized our friend only wanting to get a little bigger. You are right, correct eating patterns are necessary to bulk up, tone up, or whatever, but his question wasnt about nutrition. In fact, he posted this in the Training section of the forum. You must also understand he isnt REFUSING, PUSSYFOOTING, or doing any other negative implicative words when he decides not to get a gym membership. Even if he doesnt want to get equipment, you both are forgetting that he is in college. given the circumstances, it isnt worth paying money for something that isnt going to be put to maximum use. ANy gym equipment he gets will be used for only 2 months... what then? If he doesnt want to signigicantly change his muscular apppearance (i.e. really bulk up), and he is already slim and muscular, i see no reason why he cannot do things at home. He can get chairs and do inclined pushups or dips, he can make it work. Many people have built much larger bodies off of the land. Again, you cannot judge his situation, as i am sure he has thought of the alternatives (this is why the title states he has little resources)... You must pay attention to details. I have no problem answering questions against or for me, but when i have to repeat myself it is not worth it. So make sure you fully understand what you are defending and who/what you are offending.

His best bet is to DANCE, so pushups for muscular endurance/strength, and eat right sir. He will at least get a lot more toned and possibly visibly get bigger.

 

[TriZZle305]

You are absolutely correct but what you said does not challenge what i said what so ever, one can in fact have a large amount of muscle and also a large amount of bodyfat covering that and of course the opposite would be not much muscle yet low body fat percentage. This is obvious to most and thank god you did not explain, for i would have been wasting my time and vision reading it. Please keep in mind that i do not challenge your intellegence, because you at least seem somewhat bright, but i challenge your relevance. That being said relevant to what our poster said he is trying to do both at the same time. If you are bulking you cannot be cutting. Is that simple enough? Therefore if cutting is his aim, than yes he will appear more cut, but he will achieve that from his diet, not his pushups.

Secondly, In your second paragraph you basically reiterated what i said.. Yes his post was made in the training forum, which is apparent, for I am currently "viewing the training forum" this detail i have not forgotten, however the answer to his question is nutritional. Please do not tell me what i am forgetting, I am fully aware of his circumstances, i myself am a college bound student and if it is not worth it to him to spend money on a gym for 2 months than that will ultimately be his decision, however I am simply stating that he will acheive better results in that environment. Thus a proper diet and continuation of his dancing, maybe an additional source of cardio should suit the purpose of cutting. Him doing pushups and dips all over the place with chairs and books whatever other household object will not promote a gain in size. Maybe (if that) in strength in muscular endurance.

Lastly i fully understand what i am defending and care not whether I offend you in simply stating facts.

Edit: i didnt see that part... When did i judge his position? im in the same damn position, youve takin this thread from being informative to personal. Its not even that serious

 

[sciencedude87]

Oh, no one is taking this seriously; i certainly am not. The internet doesnt reflect one's emotions. I dont care if you attempt to offend it was, however...interesting... entertaining both of your replies. Now that someone has called this verbal melee off, i will return to the goal of this thread:

Mirorimage87, doing pushups, eating healthy and atleast 3 - 4 times a day, and supplementary cardio will do the trick. Keep this up 3 - 4 times a week and you can cut up in no time. You may even be able to gain a little more muscle mass especially if you said you gained most of your mass from pushups. This will give you a good start until you get back to school and find some free weights. Good luck. Dont take specific nutrition advice (i.e. whether or not you should eat this or that) from anyone unless they show you a degree/certification. Even if you dont feel the affects now, you may be setting yourself later in life. The truth is, miror, you will look bigger once you tone yourself up, without gaining any mass.

 

[TriZZle305]

The SAGA continues...

Oh, no one is taking this seriously; i certainly am not. The internet doesnt reflect one's emotions. I dont care if you attempt to offend it was, however...interesting... entertaining both of your replies. Now that someone has called this verbal melee off, i will return to the goal of this thread:

Mirorimage87, doing pushups, eating healthy and atleast 3 - 4 times a day, and supplementary cardio will do the trick. Keep this up 3 - 4 times a week and you can cut up in no time. You may even be able to gain a little more muscle mass especially if you said you gained most of your mass from pushups. This will give you a good start until you get back to school and find some free weights. Good luck. Dont take specific nutrition advice (i.e. whether or not you should eat this or that) from anyone unless they show you a degree/certification. Even if you dont feel the affects now, you may be setting yourself later in life. The truth is, miror, you will look bigger once you tone yourself up, without gaining any mass.

"attempt to offend".. i do not recall "attempting" to offend anyone, however you told me to fully understand who or what i was offending.., why did you tell me to fully understand this, if it was not you who was offended? i am confused by this statment.

anyway in the beginning you said the pushups will help him add a little more muscle mass...especially if they worked before (earlier in his life i guess) and in the end you said you will "look" bigger once you tone up, without gaining any mass... which is it?

the fact of the matter is, although pushups may have helped him at the early stages of his muscular development, they will no longer be as valuable TO GROWTH because his body has adapted to the work they provide, especially with the statistics he has provided.

 

[kraziplaya]

LOOK WHAT U CAUSED MIRRORIMAGE