How To Develop Definition In The Chest?

[[old] H33]

First off I need advice based on exercises I can do at home without expensive equipment. I splurged on a rowing machine instead of going to a club and can't afford to buy a weight machine (nor do I have the space). I can buy free weights.<br /><br />I am rowing about 10k a day using a rower which is harder than the C2. This has resulted in good definition in the arms and legs but as I am still losing weight the chest is lacking. Would a lot of pushups do the trick? <br /><br />

[[old] chickenlegs]

I am rowing about 10k a day using a rower which is harder than the C2. This has resulted in good definition in the arms and legs but as I am still losing weight the chest is lacking. Would a lot of pushups do the trick? <br />[/quote]<br /><br />yes it probably would.<br />try doing them progrssively decreasing the distance between the hands.<br />example:<br />1 set with hands just wider than shoulders, elbows pointing out at 45 degrees to body on the descent<br />1 set with hands just narrower than shoulders, elbows at 0 degrees (poitnig toward fet on descent)<br />1 set with hands in front of pectoral muscles<br /><br />keep in mind that this routine done regularly will do nothing for your erg times..<br />

[[old] pduck]

The chest is one of the last places for men to loose body fat. As you loose weight, you will start to see more definition in your chest. Also be aware that you cannot spot reduce. Doing a lot of pushups will not help you loose weight in your chest.<br /><br />That being said, your chest is one of the few areas that do not get much work from rowing and it would be a good idea to suppliment with some resistance work for your pecs. The best thing would be to look for a weight bench, a barbell, and some free weights. Then you can do bench press.<br /><br />An alternative to that would be a stabilty ball and some dumbbells. You can do bench press that way and it is also an excellent way to work your core muscles at the same time. You can also use the stability ball to do pushups. <br /><br />If space really is a problem, here are some body weight exercises you can do:<br /><br /><a href='http://b_movie.tripod.com/in_shape.htm' target='_blank'>http://b_movie.tripod.com/in_shape.htm</a>

[[old] H33]

Hi,<br /><br />Thanks for the tips, I guess I will try out different types of pushups. I don't really want to develop more muscle mass as my chest size is 44" which is plenty big enough for me (I'm 5' 6").

[[old] akit110]

I second what "pduck" wrote. In fact, I said nearly the same thing in response to your earlier "muscle toning" post a week or so ago.<br /><br />The first consideration for better muscle definition is almost always lowering your body fat. When people exercise, they inevitably lose weight in their extremities first - arms, legs, face show leaness first. Then as you get towards the core, it becomes increasingly difficult to lose fat i.e. the chest, and then finally abs and obliques. In fact, there are a lot of really fit people who never really obtain a high degree of muscle definition depending on their age, dietary habits, genetics etc. And there are people - usually young - who are extremely defined and not particularly fit.<br /><br />And again, I agree with pduck - I think it's probably a good idea to add some sort of pressing motion like push-ups or parallel bar dips to work the chest since the pressing muscles of the upper body (chest, triceps, front shoulders) are worked primarily in the recovery part of the stroke, and as such, do not experience much resistance (as compared to the upper body pulling muscles). <br /><br /><br /><br />

[[old] Kudos]

now, I don't want to call anybody cheap or undedicated or cause offense to anyone. But I don't understand why some people can afford the 800 dollar erg and not a gym membeship. How much do gyms around those of you who can't afford it cost per month? I know that all the gyms around me cost 20-30 dollars a month (360 dollars a year). Not exactly a bank breaker, I spend more than that on coffee per month. I am just wondering if I should consider myself lucky that I live near cheap gyms, or if I need to give lessons on budgeting My gym just got bought out, and actually reduced membership to 15 dollars a month. I have a netflix subscription which costs more than my gym membership.

[[old] Byron Drachman]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I think it's probably a good idea to add some sort of pressing motion like push-ups or... </td></tr></table> <br /><br />Riding an Irish Mail involves pushing as well as pulling with the arms and it also works the abs, lats, etc. Besides, it's a hoot. But don't listen to me--I'm nutty on the subject.<br /><br />Byron

[[old] akit110]

Kudos,<br />I can see how someone could view a one-time purchase of an erg as affordable or a reasonable purchase but not an ongoing monthly gym membership. <br /><br />A new Model D at around $850 amortized over the lifetime of its regular use in a typical household (let's say 5 years for the sake of argument) is less than $15/month! And after 5 years, the person can probably sell it for $700, and walk away with an effective cost of $2.50/month over its effective life in his/her household!! Leaving plenty of money in the pocket to purchase some adjustable dumbbells, plates, and a bench, for example. <br /><br />In comparison, at $75/month (going rate here in Manhattan), a person would pay $4500 for 5 years (or $2000-2250 if the individual lived in a cheaper part of the country). <br /><br />Things tip even further in the favor of the erg purchaser if you extend the time horizon of regular use beyond 5 years.<br />Ashwin<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

[[old] Kudos]

I can see your point for manhattan, it is very expensive there. However, to have all the equipment I could ever want, plus to get me out of the house and get a more effective workout in, I would never give up a gym membership at my rate 20-30 dollars a month. I just think about how well my erg workouts go at home compared to when I am at the boathouse and would hate to think of what could happen if I was at home with mediocre/inadequate weights. I guess the what your point brings out to me is that weight lifting is probably more important to me than most people. I just see a gym membership as a irreplaceable item, but I have been lifting seriously for 10 years now, so I am unlikely to change or downgrade to a home system. I guess the membership cost is just more expendible to me, excuse my naivety.

[[old] Xeno]

Hi<br />We came up with a few out of the rowing box exercises to strengthen the chest and upper body.<br />You can find the DVD on www.gorow.com<br />All my best,<br />Xeno

[[old] akit110]

You are right Kudos. If you're serious about weight-training, you need a lot of equipment that would be impractical to have at home like squat racks, power cages, smith machines, leg presses etc. I was thinking more in terms of someone who was just trying to keep in shape or whose primary activity was rowing.<br />Ashwin

[[old] DIESEL]

<!--QuoteBegin-akit110+Feb 15 2005, 04:17 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(akit110 @ Feb 15 2005, 04:17 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You are right Kudos.  If you're serious about weight-training, you need a lot of equipment that would be impractical to have at home like squat racks, power cages, smith machines, leg presses etc.  I was thinking more in terms of someone who was just trying to keep in shape or whose primary activity was rowing.<br />Ashwin <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Actually Akit, all you need for a serious home gym is a power rack, an adjustable bench, a barbell, and some plates. Everything else is filler. Especially the Smith Machine

[[old] Yoda1]

Actually Guys you can put together one heck of a workout area with very little expense. That's why I refer to weight training as resistance training. There are many items just laying around that can be used for exercise equipment. For less than $100.00 a person can have a home work out area that would kick anyone's butt. <br /><br />The key is imagination. If it weights something it can be used. If it can't be moved then push or pull againest it. <br /><br />The only thing that would cost some bucks is the ERG.<br /><br />Just my opinion---No Yelling!!!<br /><br />Yoda