Increasing chest size

Mornin',

I think I'm lacking in my chest and want to make it bigger. I've done some
research and have decided to try a 5x5 program. Anyone use/d this with
success?

Steph.

Stephan Carydakis wrote:
> Mornin',
>
> I think I'm lacking in my chest and want to make it bigger. I've done
> some research and have decided to try a 5x5 program. Anyone use/d
> this with success?
>
> Steph.

Yup, me! However, prior to this I also wanted to build my chest and found
that incline d/bell presses made a noticeable difference!

--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

"Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> wrote in message
news:4tj412F13qpofU1@mid.individual.net...
> Stephan Carydakis wrote:
> > Mornin',
> >
> > I think I'm lacking in my chest and want to make it bigger. I've done
> > some research and have decided to try a 5x5 program. Anyone use/d
> > this with success?
> >
> > Steph.
>
> Yup, me! However, prior to this I also wanted to build my chest and found
> that incline d/bell presses made a noticeable difference!
>

So you added db incline press to existing split or did you substitute?

I tried the 5x5 at gym today. I did flat bench, incline press, and cable
flyes. The program I found suggested 4 exercises but I find this takes too
long especially if you are resting 3 minutes between sets. It still took me
around an hour. Then I had abs and leg pres left so I was in there for over
1.5 hours. Right on th edge for me.

Steph.

> --
> Bully
> Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk
>
> "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
> matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
>
>

"Stephan Carydakis" <steph777@netspace.net.au> schreef:

> I tried the 5x5 at gym today. I did flat bench, incline press, and cable
> flyes.

Add dips, drop the cable flyes.

Do them when you arte working in the 10-15 rep range.

----
Pete

Stephan Carydakis wrote:
> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> wrote in message
> news:4tj412F13qpofU1@mid.individual.net...
>> Stephan Carydakis wrote:
>>> Mornin',
>>>
>>> I think I'm lacking in my chest and want to make it bigger. I've
>>> done some research and have decided to try a 5x5 program. Anyone
>>> use/d this with success?
>>>
>>> Steph.
>>
>> Yup, me! However, prior to this I also wanted to build my chest and
>> found that incline d/bell presses made a noticeable difference!
>>
>
> So you added db incline press to existing split or did you substitute?

Added them, after flat bench, before dips. Three sets of 10.

>
> I tried the 5x5 at gym today. I did flat bench, incline press, and
> cable flyes. The program I found suggested 4 exercises but I find
> this takes too long especially if you are resting 3 minutes between
> sets. It still took me around an hour. Then I had abs and leg pres
> left so I was in there for over
> 1.5 hours. Right on th edge for me.
>
> Steph.
>
>> --
>> Bully
>> Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk
>>
>> "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
>> matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss



--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

"Pete" <phoutstra@wanadoo.nl> wrote in message
news:45756161$0$15113$dbd45001@news.wanadoo.nl...
> "Stephan Carydakis" <steph777@netspace.net.au> schreef:
>
> > I tried the 5x5 at gym today. I did flat bench, incline press, and cable
> > flyes.
>
> Add dips, drop the cable flyes.
>

OK. But why? I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider' looking
chest.

> Do them when you arte working in the 10-15 rep range.
>

For the last 10 months my sets for every muscle group consist of 10x2 reps
for warmup, 8x3 for heavy, 10x1 for warm down. Since I have never changed
my workout and was reading of the need to chop it up a bit, I think I need a
change. I understand that lower reps of higher weights are better for size
and strength of muscle. Thats why I chose the 5x5 thing. When you say 10-15
reps are you saying that the 5x5 'method' doesn't work as well for dips and
that I should stick to higher reps for dips? If I do dips, I can add weight
and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?

Steph.

> ----
> Pete
>
>

"Stephan Carydakis" <steph777@netspace.net.au> schreef:

>> Add dips, drop the cable flyes.

> OK. But why?

You are doing 5 X 5, right?

Cable flyes are a good exercise for pump, since they provide continues
tension, and isolate the pecs.

Dips are more suitable for the lower rep range.

> I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider' looking
> chest.

Eh... no, some people think that DB flyes do that. Arnold said so.
Cable flyes are supposed to develop the "inner pecs."

Personally, i think both are wrong. They *can* be good exercises,. but not
for the reasons usually given.

>> Do them when you arte working in the 10-15 rep range.

> For the last 10 months my sets for every muscle group consist of 10x2 reps
> for warmup, 8x3 for heavy, 10x1 for warm down. Since I have never changed
> my workout and was reading of the need to chop it up a bit, I think I need
> a
> change. I understand that lower reps of higher weights are better for
> size
> and strength of muscle. Thats why I chose the 5x5 thing. When you say
> 10-15
> reps are you saying that the 5x5 'method' doesn't work as well for dips
> and
> that I should stick to higher reps for dips?

If you can manage 15 reps doing dips thats fine. I would add weight and do
lower reps.

Isolation movements, IMO, are better done with a bit higher reps.

With compounds, i stay between 5-10. With isolations, that can be 10-15.

> If I do dips, I can add weight
> and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?

Yes, i would do that.

----
Pete

Stephan Carydakis wrote:
> "Pete" <phoutstra@wanadoo.nl> wrote in message
> news:45756161$0$15113$dbd45001@news.wanadoo.nl...
>> "Stephan Carydakis" <steph777@netspace.net.au> schreef:
>>
>>> I tried the 5x5 at gym today. I did flat bench, incline press, and
>>> cable flyes.
>>
>> Add dips, drop the cable flyes.
>>
>
> OK. But why? I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider'
> looking chest.

How does that work?

>
>> Do them when you arte working in the 10-15 rep range.
>>
>
> For the last 10 months my sets for every muscle group consist of 10x2
> reps for warmup,

10 sets of 2 reps ?!?!

8x3 for heavy, 10x1 for warm down. Since I have
> never changed my workout and was reading of the need to chop it up a
> bit, I think I need a change. I understand that lower reps of
> higher weights are better for size and strength of muscle. Thats why
> I chose the 5x5 thing. When you say 10-15 reps are you saying that
> the 5x5 'method' doesn't work as well for dips and that I should
> stick to higher reps for dips? If I do dips, I can add weight and
> stick to my 5x5 trial yes?
>
> Steph.
>
>> ----
>> Pete



--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

"Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> schreef

>> OK. But why? I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider'
>> looking chest.

> How does that work?

Because certain exercises can actually shape and mold a muscle...

>> Do them when you arte working in the 10-15 rep range.


>> For the last 10 months my sets for every muscle group consist of 10x2
>> reps for warmup,

> 10 sets of 2 reps ?!?!

I think its 2 sets of 10 reps. I think...

Pete

"Pete" <phoutstra@wanadoo.nl> wrote in message
news:457585e1$0$211$dbd41001@news.wanadoo.nl...
> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> schreef
>
> >> OK. But why? I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider'
> >> looking chest.
>
> > How does that work?
>
> Because certain exercises can actually shape and mold a muscle...
>
> >> Do them when you arte working in the 10-15 rep range.
>
>
> >> For the last 10 months my sets for every muscle group consist of 10x2
> >> reps for warmup,
>
> > 10 sets of 2 reps ?!?!
>
> I think its 2 sets of 10 reps. I think...
>

Yes!

> Pete
>
>

"Pete" <phoutstra@wanadoo.nl> wrote in message
news:4575830d$0$15556$dbd41001@news.wanadoo.nl...
> "Stephan Carydakis" <steph777@netspace.net.au> schreef:
>
> >> Add dips, drop the cable flyes.
>
> > OK. But why?
>
> You are doing 5 X 5, right?
>
> Cable flyes are a good exercise for pump, since they provide continues
> tension, and isolate the pecs.
>
> Dips are more suitable for the lower rep range.
>
> > I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider' looking
> > chest.
>
> Eh... no, some people think that DB flyes do that. Arnold said so.
> Cable flyes are supposed to develop the "inner pecs."
>

OK. Makes sense. At the part where you cross arms and squeeeeze your chest,
I feel a pump on the inner pecs. But It feels as if you hit the chest out
wide too. At the start of the movement, your hands are actually begind you a
tad and way out wide?

>
> Personally, i think both are wrong. They *can* be good exercises,. but
not
> for the reasons usually given.
>
> >> Do them when you arte working in the 10-15 rep range.
>
> > For the last 10 months my sets for every muscle group consist of 10x2
reps
> > for warmup, 8x3 for heavy, 10x1 for warm down. Since I have never
changed
> > my workout and was reading of the need to chop it up a bit, I think I
need
> > a
> > change. I understand that lower reps of higher weights are better for
> > size
> > and strength of muscle. Thats why I chose the 5x5 thing. When you say
> > 10-15
> > reps are you saying that the 5x5 'method' doesn't work as well for dips
> > and
> > that I should stick to higher reps for dips?
>
> If you can manage 15 reps doing dips thats fine. I would add weight and do
> lower reps.
>
> Isolation movements, IMO, are better done with a bit higher reps.
>
> With compounds, i stay between 5-10. With isolations, that can be 10-15.
>
> > If I do dips, I can add weight
> > and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?
>
> Yes, i would do that.
>

Cool. I'll give it a whirl around the block and see how it handles.

> ----
> Pete
>
>

Pete wrote:
> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> schreef
>
>>> OK. But why? I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider'
>>> looking chest.
>
>> How does that work?
>
> Because certain exercises can actually shape and mold a muscle...

Can it move the attachment point also?

>
>>> Do them when you arte working in the 10-15 rep range.
>
>
>>> For the last 10 months my sets for every muscle group consist of
>>> 10x2 reps for warmup,
>
>> 10 sets of 2 reps ?!?!
>
> I think its 2 sets of 10 reps. I think...
>
> Pete



--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

"Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> schreef

>> Because certain exercises can actually shape and mold a muscle...

> Can it move the attachment point also?

Sure.

It can entirely alter the origin and insertion.

Rumour has it that if you certain exercises, like leg spreaders, long
enough, you can change your gender.

Or start lactating at the very least...

Pete

I assumed you OOs were so good at catching sarcasm...

Dnia 2006-12-05 Bully napisa³(a):
> Pete wrote:
>> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> schreef
>>
>>>> OK. But why? I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider'
>>>> looking chest.
>>
>>> How does that work?
>>
>> Because certain exercises can actually shape and mold a muscle...
>
> Can it move the attachment point also?

No, but it can emphasize one or the other attachment point, like long
head over short head, and the other way around. Science confirmed this
particular "superstition". A body is able to recruit parts of a motor
unit, lengthwise.

BTW - cable flyes do not emphasize width of chest muscles. At least
not without some tweaking of form. Dumbbell flyes could.

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Dnia 2006-12-05 Pete napisa³(a):
> "Stephan Carydakis" <steph777@netspace.net.au> schreef:
>
>> I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider' looking
>> chest.
>
> Eh... no, some people think that DB flyes do that. Arnold said so.
> Cable flyes are supposed to develop the "inner pecs."

Actually, it's true.

> Personally, i think both are wrong. They *can* be good exercises,. but not
> for the reasons usually given.

I thought the same.

http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1327855

BTW - spot reduction may actually exist, too.

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Andrzej Rosa wrote:
> Dnia 2006-12-05 Bully napisa³(a):
>> Pete wrote:
>>> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> schreef
>>>
>>>>> OK. But why? I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider'
>>>>> looking chest.
>>>
>>>> How does that work?
>>>
>>> Because certain exercises can actually shape and mold a muscle...
>>
>> Can it move the attachment point also?
>
> No, but it can emphasize one or the other attachment point, like long
> head over short head, and the other way around.

Agreed, but how does that create more "width" of the pec?

> Science confirmed
> this particular "superstition". A body is able to recruit parts of a
> motor unit, lengthwise.
>
> BTW - cable flyes do not emphasize width of chest muscles. At least
> not without some tweaking of form. Dumbbell flyes could.



--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Dnia 2006-12-05 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
>
> "Pete" <phoutstra@wanadoo.nl> wrote in message
> news:4575830d$0$15556$dbd41001@news.wanadoo.nl...
>>
>> > If I do dips, I can add weight
>> > and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?
>>
>> Yes, i would do that.
>>
>
> Cool. I'll give it a whirl around the block and see how it handles.

Just do not sacrifice depth for weight. To make dips good chest
exercise one should try to lean forward and go really deep.

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Andrzej Rosa wrote:
> Dnia 2006-12-05 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
>>
>> "Pete" <phoutstra@wanadoo.nl> wrote in message
>> news:4575830d$0$15556$dbd41001@news.wanadoo.nl...
>>>
>>>> If I do dips, I can add weight
>>>> and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?
>>>
>>> Yes, i would do that.
>>>
>>
>> Cool. I'll give it a whirl around the block and see how it handles.
>
> Just do not sacrifice depth for weight. To make dips good chest
> exercise one should try to lean forward and go really deep.

p.s. they won't trash your shoulders!

--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Dnia 2006-12-05 Bully napisa³(a):
> Andrzej Rosa wrote:
>> Dnia 2006-12-05 Bully napisa³(a):
>>> Pete wrote:
>>>> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> schreef
>>>>
>>>>>> OK. But why? I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider'
>>>>>> looking chest.
>>>>
>>>>> How does that work?
>>>>
>>>> Because certain exercises can actually shape and mold a muscle...
>>>
>>> Can it move the attachment point also?
>>
>> No, but it can emphasize one or the other attachment point, like long
>> head over short head, and the other way around.
>
> Agreed, but how does that create more "width" of the pec?

By increasing bulk of "outer chest", I think.

BTW - I was training Wing Chun for some time and my trainer told us,
that by doing a "form" often one will develop correct shape of chest
muscles, which doesn't limit important for Wing Chun ROM. The ideal
shape was a lot of inner chest, but not much outer, to make touching
both elbows possible. He had a chest like that, and after some time I
started to develop similar features about my pecs too. Funny thing, I
didn't believe him at the time.

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Pete wrote:
> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> schreef
>
> >> Because certain exercises can actually shape and mold a muscle...
>
> > Can it move the attachment point also?
>
> Sure.
>
> It can entirely alter the origin and insertion.
>
> Rumour has it that if you certain exercises, like leg spreaders, long
> enough, you can change your gender.
>
> Or start lactating at the very least...
>
ROTFLMAO!!!!

> Pete
>
> I assumed you OOs were so good at catching sarcasm...

On Tue, 5 Dec 2006, Andrzej Rosa wrote:

> Dnia 2006-12-05 Pete napisa?(a):
>> "Stephan Carydakis" <steph777@netspace.net.au> schreef:
>>
>>> I thought that cable flyes would give me a 'wider' looking
>>> chest.
>>
>> Personally, i think both are wrong. They *can* be good exercises,. but not
>> for the reasons usually given.
>
> I thought the same.
>
> http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1327855

Wow. First time i've seen SimCity used as a rhetorical tool.

tom

--
the logical extension of a zero-infinity nightmare topology

"Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> wrote in message
news:4tlqc9F14qnjtU1@mid.individual.net...
> Andrzej Rosa wrote:
> > Dnia 2006-12-05 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
> >>
> >> "Pete" <phoutstra@wanadoo.nl> wrote in message
> >> news:4575830d$0$15556$dbd41001@news.wanadoo.nl...
> >>>
> >>>> If I do dips, I can add weight
> >>>> and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?
> >>>
> >>> Yes, i would do that.
> >>>
> >>
> >> Cool. I'll give it a whirl around the block and see how it handles.
> >
> > Just do not sacrifice depth for weight. To make dips good chest
> > exercise one should try to lean forward and go really deep.
>
> p.s. they won't trash your shoulders!

This is an issue for my left shoulder as mentioned with decline. So that is
a bonus. Apparently the pain I have in my left shoulder is the bicep tendone
which connects over the top. For the last couple of weeks, I have had a
sharp pain on the inside of my left bicep muscle as well but it doesn't hurt
during workout. I just massge the heck outa it which seems to work. I do get
a regular (fortnighly) massage which does wonders.

>
> --
> Bully
> Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk
>
> "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
> matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
>
>

Dnia 2006-12-06 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
>
> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> wrote in message
> news:4tlqc9F14qnjtU1@mid.individual.net...
>> >>>> If I do dips, I can add weight
>> >>>> and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?
>> >>>
>> >>> Yes, i would do that.
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> Cool. I'll give it a whirl around the block and see how it handles.
>> >
>> > Just do not sacrifice depth for weight. To make dips good chest
>> > exercise one should try to lean forward and go really deep.
>>
>> p.s. they won't trash your shoulders!
>
> This is an issue for my left shoulder as mentioned with decline. So that is
> a bonus. Apparently the pain I have in my left shoulder is the bicep tendone
> which connects over the top. For the last couple of weeks, I have had a
> sharp pain on the inside of my left bicep muscle as well but it doesn't hurt
> during workout. I just massge the heck outa it which seems to work. I do get
> a regular (fortnighly) massage which does wonders.

It looks like building all those inches in your arms didn't came
without a price. Try to find out which exercises make it feel worse
and simply avoid them. Do not train through the injury, train around
the injury.

I'd stay away from direct biceps work for a week and see if it helps.
You have plenty of muscles which probably would like some more
attention, so simply do focus on them. You'll let your biceps rest and
build plenty of mass at the same time. If you'll insist on pushing
harder than your tendons are able to recover you might develop
something serious and end up not being able to train your upper body at
all. It won't help your biceps to grow if you'll have to stay away
from gym for several months.

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Andrzej Rosa wrote:
> Dnia 2006-12-06 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
>>
>> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> wrote in message
>> news:4tlqc9F14qnjtU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>>> If I do dips, I can add weight
>>>>>>> and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes, i would do that.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Cool. I'll give it a whirl around the block and see how it
>>>>> handles.
>>>>
>>>> Just do not sacrifice depth for weight. To make dips good chest
>>>> exercise one should try to lean forward and go really deep.
>>>
>>> p.s. they won't trash your shoulders!
>>
>> This is an issue for my left shoulder as mentioned with decline. So
>> that is a bonus. Apparently the pain I have in my left shoulder is
>> the bicep tendone which connects over the top. For the last couple
>> of weeks, I have had a sharp pain on the inside of my left bicep
>> muscle as well but it doesn't hurt during workout. I just massge the
>> heck outa it which seems to work. I do get a regular (fortnighly)
>> massage which does wonders.
>
> It looks like building all those inches in your arms didn't came
> without a price. Try to find out which exercises make it feel worse
> and simply avoid them. Do not train through the injury, train around
> the injury.
>
> I'd stay away from direct biceps work for a week

....or a month, or a year !!!

> and see if it helps.
> You have plenty of muscles which probably would like some more
> attention, so simply do focus on them. You'll let your biceps rest
> and build plenty of mass at the same time. If you'll insist on
> pushing harder than your tendons are able to recover you might develop
> something serious and end up not being able to train your upper body
> at all. It won't help your biceps to grow if you'll have to stay away
> from gym for several months.



--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

"Andrzej Rosa" <bakters@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:el60hb$fng$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
> Dnia 2006-12-06 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
> >
> > "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> wrote in message
> > news:4tlqc9F14qnjtU1@mid.individual.net...
> >> >>>> If I do dips, I can add weight
> >> >>>> and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Yes, i would do that.
> >> >>>
> >> >>
> >> >> Cool. I'll give it a whirl around the block and see how it handles.
> >> >
> >> > Just do not sacrifice depth for weight. To make dips good chest
> >> > exercise one should try to lean forward and go really deep.
> >>
> >> p.s. they won't trash your shoulders!
> >
> > This is an issue for my left shoulder as mentioned with decline. So that
is
> > a bonus. Apparently the pain I have in my left shoulder is the bicep
tendone
> > which connects over the top. For the last couple of weeks, I have had a
> > sharp pain on the inside of my left bicep muscle as well but it doesn't
hurt
> > during workout. I just massge the heck outa it which seems to work. I do
get
> > a regular (fortnighly) massage which does wonders.
>
> It looks like building all those inches in your arms didn't came
> without a price. Try to find out which exercises make it feel worse
> and simply avoid them. Do not train through the injury, train around
> the injury.
>

Not really. I haven't worked my arms more or less than most other muscle
groups. As far as training around an injury or problem I definately agree.
My PT emphasised this point because I've had pain on the front of the left
shoulder from the very beginning of my training. It was particularly bad
when doing decline bench so I stopped it. I tried it again a couple of weeks
ago and it still got painful on the heavy set. This too seems to be a bicep
injury where one of the 'ceps' joins to the shoulder area - you know what I
mean?

> I'd stay away from direct biceps work for a week and see if it helps.
> You have plenty of muscles which probably would like some more
> attention, so simply do focus on them. You'll let your biceps rest and
> build plenty of mass at the same time. If you'll insist on pushing
> harder than your tendons are able to recover you might develop
> something serious and end up not being able to train your upper body at
> all. It won't help your biceps to grow if you'll have to stay away
> from gym for several months.
>

What, no gym - you should be shot for even suggesting the possibilty of it!

> --
> Andrzej Rosa 1127R

"Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> wrote in message
news:4tnfbiF14a0icU1@mid.individual.net...
> Andrzej Rosa wrote:
> > Dnia 2006-12-06 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
> >>
> >> "Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> wrote in message
> >> news:4tlqc9F14qnjtU1@mid.individual.net...
> >>>>>>> If I do dips, I can add weight
> >>>>>>> and stick to my 5x5 trial yes?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Yes, i would do that.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Cool. I'll give it a whirl around the block and see how it
> >>>>> handles.
> >>>>
> >>>> Just do not sacrifice depth for weight. To make dips good chest
> >>>> exercise one should try to lean forward and go really deep.
> >>>
> >>> p.s. they won't trash your shoulders!
> >>
> >> This is an issue for my left shoulder as mentioned with decline. So
> >> that is a bonus. Apparently the pain I have in my left shoulder is
> >> the bicep tendone which connects over the top. For the last couple
> >> of weeks, I have had a sharp pain on the inside of my left bicep
> >> muscle as well but it doesn't hurt during workout. I just massge the
> >> heck outa it which seems to work. I do get a regular (fortnighly)
> >> massage which does wonders.
> >
> > It looks like building all those inches in your arms didn't came
> > without a price. Try to find out which exercises make it feel worse
> > and simply avoid them. Do not train through the injury, train around
> > the injury.
> >
> > I'd stay away from direct biceps work for a week
>
> ...or a month, or a year !!!

Cmon Bully - thats not nice. I want to look like this guy:

http://www.ebicep.com/biggest-bicep.html


>
> > and see if it helps.
> > You have plenty of muscles which probably would like some more
> > attention, so simply do focus on them. You'll let your biceps rest
> > and build plenty of mass at the same time. If you'll insist on
> > pushing harder than your tendons are able to recover you might develop
> > something serious and end up not being able to train your upper body
> > at all. It won't help your biceps to grow if you'll have to stay away
> > from gym for several months.
>
>
>
> --
> Bully
> Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk
>
> "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
> matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
>
>

Dnia 2006-12-06 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
>
> "Andrzej Rosa" <bakters@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:el60hb$fng$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
>> Dnia 2006-12-06 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
>>
>>
>> It looks like building all those inches in your arms didn't came
>> without a price. Try to find out which exercises make it feel worse
>> and simply avoid them. Do not train through the injury, train around
>> the injury.
>>
>
> Not really. I haven't worked my arms more or less than most other muscle
> groups. As far as training around an injury or problem I definately agree.
> My PT emphasised this point because I've had pain on the front of the left
> shoulder from the very beginning of my training. It was particularly bad
> when doing decline bench so I stopped it. I tried it again a couple of weeks
> ago and it still got painful on the heavy set. This too seems to be a bicep
> injury where one of the 'ceps' joins to the shoulder area - you know what I
> mean?

I know what you /may/ mean. If so, it doesn't look much like bicep and
more like front delt. There is not much reason why your biceps should
give you problems while decline benching. Your shoulders, on the other
hand, have a right to do so.

You sure it's your biceps?

>> I'd stay away from direct biceps work for a week and see if it helps.
>> You have plenty of muscles which probably would like some more
>> attention, so simply do focus on them. You'll let your biceps rest and
>> build plenty of mass at the same time. If you'll insist on pushing
>> harder than your tendons are able to recover you might develop
>> something serious and end up not being able to train your upper body at
>> all. It won't help your biceps to grow if you'll have to stay away
>> from gym for several months.
>
> What, no gym - you should be shot for even suggesting the possibilty of it!

It's hard to do much work when you can't move your arm.

Be careful now. After a year of training, or thereabouts, your muscles
outgrow your tendons by a substantial margin. This time around I was
wise in knowing that it will happen, so after some time I switched my
focus to less hypertrophy inducing ways of training for several months,
while putting more work into developing my tendons.

Slow down a bit, or your body will do it for you and you'll shoot the
messenger, which means me! I don't want to be shot without good
reason. ;-)

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R

"Andrzej Rosa" <bakters@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:el6pdm$t3e$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
> Dnia 2006-12-06 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
> >
> > "Andrzej Rosa" <bakters@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:el60hb$fng$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
> >> Dnia 2006-12-06 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
> >>
> >>
> >> It looks like building all those inches in your arms didn't came
> >> without a price. Try to find out which exercises make it feel worse
> >> and simply avoid them. Do not train through the injury, train around
> >> the injury.
> >>
> >
> > Not really. I haven't worked my arms more or less than most other muscle
> > groups. As far as training around an injury or problem I definately
agree.
> > My PT emphasised this point because I've had pain on the front of the
left
> > shoulder from the very beginning of my training. It was particularly bad
> > when doing decline bench so I stopped it. I tried it again a couple of
weeks
> > ago and it still got painful on the heavy set. This too seems to be a
bicep
> > injury where one of the 'ceps' joins to the shoulder area - you know
what I
> > mean?
>
> I know what you /may/ mean. If so, it doesn't look much like bicep and
> more like front delt. There is not much reason why your biceps should
> give you problems while decline benching. Your shoulders, on the other
> hand, have a right to do so.
>
> You sure it's your biceps?

Fairly sure. My masseuse pin-pointed the spot where the pain was and said
it's where the bicep attaches to the shoulder. I also tweaked my right AC
joint yesterday from doing weighted pull-ups. I think I'm getting
old-er-ish. I managed a total weight on my last pull-up (including my own
weight) of 292lbs - around the same as I do on lat pull down. It's the first
time I did them in my back workout and I liked them. Better than lat
pull-down IMO.

>
> >> I'd stay away from direct biceps work for a week and see if it helps.
> >> You have plenty of muscles which probably would like some more
> >> attention, so simply do focus on them. You'll let your biceps rest and
> >> build plenty of mass at the same time. If you'll insist on pushing
> >> harder than your tendons are able to recover you might develop
> >> something serious and end up not being able to train your upper body at
> >> all. It won't help your biceps to grow if you'll have to stay away
> >> from gym for several months.
> >
> > What, no gym - you should be shot for even suggesting the possibilty of
it!
>
> It's hard to do much work when you can't move your arm.

Yes but I could get one arm really massive. Like those crabs that have 1 big
claw and the other is puny. Then I could start a new competition for the
symmetrically challenged body builder.

>
> Be careful now. After a year of training, or thereabouts, your muscles
> outgrow your tendons by a substantial margin. This time around I was
> wise in knowing that it will happen, so after some time I switched my
> focus to less hypertrophy inducing ways of training for several months,
> while putting more work into developing my tendons.
>

OK. How do you develop tendons?

> Slow down a bit, or your body will do it for you and you'll shoot the
> messenger, which means me! I don't want to be shot without good
> reason. ;-)
>

I can tend to go a bit all out at times. But at the same time, I do listen
to my body - it just needs to speak up a bit :-]

> --
> Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Dnia 2006-12-07 Stephan Carydakis napisa³(a):
>
>> You sure it's your biceps?
>
> Fairly sure. My masseuse pin-pointed the spot where the pain was and said
> it's where the bicep attaches to the shoulder.

I remember that I read about something like that once, but I still
don't know how it gets irritated by benching.

> I also tweaked my right AC
> joint yesterday from doing weighted pull-ups. I think I'm getting
> old-er-ish. I managed a total weight on my last pull-up (including my own
> weight) of 292lbs - around the same as I do on lat pull down. It's the first
> time I did them in my back workout and I liked them. Better than lat
> pull-down IMO.

You gonna get good at it. I'm jealous.

[...]
>> Be careful now. After a year of training, or thereabouts, your muscles
>> outgrow your tendons by a substantial margin. This time around I was
>> wise in knowing that it will happen, so after some time I switched my
>> focus to less hypertrophy inducing ways of training for several months,
>> while putting more work into developing my tendons.
>>
>
> OK. How do you develop tendons?

By stressing them with sharp explosive movements. For wrists, for
example, punching a bag is supposedly goo. I know that snatching did
work for me. As a side effect you slow down hypertrophy of your
muscles to the point when your tendons can catch up. After several
years of training there is no problem here, because your muscle gains
slow down too, but at intermediate stage it might be helpful to use
less efficient hypertrophy program for a while.

>> Slow down a bit, or your body will do it for you and you'll shoot the
>> messenger, which means me! I don't want to be shot without good
>> reason. ;-)
>
> I can tend to go a bit all out at times. But at the same time, I do listen
> to my body - it just needs to speak up a bit :-]

It does. As someone used to say, an injury is a body's way of saying
to slow down a bit.

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R