Good routine using just machines??

[thelazyone]

Originally Posted by Rascus

Smith machine can get alot done for you.

I don't have a set work out but I wish I waited till I had extra money to spend on a Smith Machine set up instead of free weights.

With the free weights I just haven't done heavier weight that i know i'll be struggling on on the final set.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there a difference in the actual weight you are lifting? It can either be +10 or -10. These machines are very useful when you don't have a spotter.

[thelazyone]

Originally Posted by ZQ8Dude

Mainly upper body. So chest, back, shoulders, and arms.

Don't forget your legs. You don't want to go looking like a light bulb.

[Rascus]

ZQ, i think is -10

[ZQ8Dude]

Originally Posted by thelazyone

Don't forget your legs. You don't want to go looking like a light bulb.

yeah, i might try an alternate each day between legs/abs and upper body work outs. I'm not going after the perfect body or anything, just in good enough shape to do my potential job.(corrections)

[ZQ8Dude]

Originally Posted by thelazyone

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there a difference in the actual weight you are lifting? It can either be +10 or -10. These machines are very useful when you don't have a spotter.

hmm, well hopefully 24hr fitness will have them.

[chevyman95]

its kind of related to how hard you push yourself though......

Sometimes I do max outs (sets of 16-20) with low weight and believe me on the last 2-3 you definately feel the burn....nothing like being completely wasted and having to get a spot with 185lbs.

You would be amazed at the amount of people that will give you a quick spot as well.

good luck with whatever you do.

[bush]

OK, I've seen some contradictory info. I was under the impression that low weight and more reps was the quickest way to build muscle. But now I see some saying high weight and few reps.

Is there a consensus on this?

[binx_19]

Originally Posted by bush

OK, I've seen some contradictory info. I was under the impression that low weight and more reps was the quickest way to build muscle. But now I see some saying high weight and few reps.

Is there a consensus on this?

triple sets are actually one of the best ways to build muscle

[Goin Ape Nutz]

build muscles is kind of a broad term. strength building has generally been high weight lower reps while fat burning lean muscle addition has usually been higher reps, lower weight.

[bombshell]

Originally Posted by Goin Ape Nutz

build muscles is kind of a broad term. strength building has generally been high weight lower reps while fat burning lean muscle addition has usually been higher reps, lower weight.

this is right...the best resistance training for the leanest and sleekest muscle mass is VERY SLOW reps of low weights with low reps. If you do one minute motion for every rep, you are actually getting the best effect for lean muscle tone. If you do five...that's five minutes. It takes a lot of patience, balance, and strength to move that slowly for a whole minute. Not only are you burning fat, toning and strengthening, but since you have to incorporate breath and balance, you are focusing these areas as well. The only people I know that do routines like this have about 2% body fat. If that is what you are looking for, then it's great. If you want to be bulky, high weight with low reps is the way to go, and PLYOmetrics are pretty good too for building muscle in general, but it won't make you that bulky. Just make sure if you want bulk, you have to increase your protein intake...a lot. When you want to burn calories, btw...it is best to start with resistance or PLYOmetrics, then move to cardio. Doing cardio first doesn't do much for you except help your heart. Also, it has now been proven that milk really does do a body good, decreasing fat and increasing muscle, so make low fat milk a part of your workout...a glass before and one after is the best. That's it...hope it's helpful.

[ZQ8Dude]

So i guess that sorta puts me in the middle. I usually end a workout with the heaviest weights i can handle without a spot doing 3 sets w/ 8-15reps(usually 8-10 by the final rep)

So far i seem to be seeing results. Nothing huge, but enough to where i've noticed it.

[Goin Ape Nutz]

Originally Posted by bombshell

this is right...the best resistance training for the leanest and sleekest muscle mass is VERY SLOW reps of low weights with low reps. If you do one minute motion for every rep, you are actually getting the best effect for lean muscle tone. If you do five...that's five minutes. It takes a lot of patience, balance, and strength to move that slowly for a whole minute. Not only are you burning fat, toning and strengthening, but since you have to incorporate breath and balance, you are focusing these areas as well. The only people I know that do routines like this have about 2% body fat. If that is what you are looking for, then it's great. If you want to be bulky, high weight with low reps is the way to go, and biometrics are pretty good too for building muscle in general, but it won't make you that bulky. Just make sure if you want bulk, you have to increase your protein intake...a lot. When you want to burn calories, btw...it is best to start with resistance or biometrics, then move to cardio. Doing cardio first doesn't do much for you except help your heart. Also, it has now been proven that milk really does do a body good, decreasing fat and increasing muscle, so make low fat milk a part of your workout...a glass before and one after is the best. That's it...hope it's helpful.

biometrics = plyometrics? I've only heard the term biometrics in dealing with measurements and tendencies of the body to certain specifications, but not as a type of exercise.

darn terminology :p

and just another note about muscle building. your muscles "grow" (hypertrophy) through tearing down and rebuilding. that's the main reason people need and supplement with protein. when you get sore, it's mainly because of the strain you've put on the muscles and the 'tears' you've made in the muscle. there are smart ways and dumb ways to hypertrophy, and i'll leave that research to you, but triple sets, high weight/low reps, pyramids and the like are all different ways to reach a state of 'growth' in your muscles.

[bombshell]

Originally Posted by Goin Ape Nutz

biometrics = plyometrics? I've only heard the term biometrics in dealing with measurements and tendencies of the body to certain specifications, but not as a type of exercise.

darn terminology :p

and just another note about muscle building. your muscles "grow" (hypertrophy) through tearing down and rebuilding. that's the main reason people need and supplement with protein. when you get sore, it's mainly because of the strain you've put on the muscles and the 'tears' you've made in the muscle. there are smart ways and dumb ways to hypertrophy, and i'll leave that research to you, but triple sets, high weight/low reps, pyramids and the like are all different ways to reach a state of 'growth' in your muscles.

OMG...yes I meant plyometrics...it was 2:25 AM...I edited. Thanks for pointing that out. Not sure what I was thinking of at the time. Yes, plyometrics...I like it because it is using my own body weight with a little oomph...yoga uses the body's weight to stretch and balance, then the plyometrics add some pep and more burn.

Oh...here's a good small article on the milk/building lean muscle thing.
Got Milk? Health

Nice pointing out what the protein is for...don't think its been mentioned here yet. Personally I don't do many protein supplements for workouts because I focus on lean muscle and calorie burning. Totally time for bed.