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Alternative to weights?

  • 19-02-2009 4:48pm
    #1
    RKDus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 110 ✭✭


    What sports or other activites are good for building your upper body? I find weights tedious and can never stick to a program, yet I still want to get stronger and build up my girly arms. Any ideas appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    Jimmy Bottlehead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,122 ✭✭✭✭Jimmy Bottlehead


    Try again but find the challenge in it. Don't lift weights just to lift weights... challenge yourself to lift more (either in weight or in reps) every week. And challenge yourself to get bigger arms.

    There's no quick fix so either man up or accept you've weedy arms. I can personally say the rewards are well worth it. Do you know anyone who lifts weights?


  • #3
    rubadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Chinups, dips, pullups, pressups, handstand pressups, gymnastics, rope climbing, grippers, tug-o-war (there are teams about), rock climbing, rowing.


  • #4
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    RKDus wrote: »
    I find weights tedious and can never stick to a program

    You don't have to stick to a programme when lifting weights.

    The sort of things I do would probably be dismissed by most of the people who post here, but I get great results (a lot better than the average lifter) and I have a lot of fun in the gym.

    What exactly is it about lifting you find tedious - is the the number of repititions, the exercises you do...?


  • #5
    RKDus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 110 ✭✭RKDus


    AARRRGH wrote: »
    You don't have to stick to a programme when lifting weights.

    The sort of things I do would probably be dismissed by most of the people who post here, but I get great results (a lot better than the average lifter) and I have a lot of fun in the gym.

    What exactly is it about lifting you find tedious - is the the number of repititions, the exercises you do...?

    I don't know exactly, I play football twice a week for fitness but I know I will always go to that because it's fun, I look forward to it. Doing weights on the other hand, it just seems like work. Great attitude, I know.


  • #6
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    RKDus wrote: »
    I don't know exactly, I play football twice a week for fitness but I know I will always go to that because it's fun, I look forward to it. Doing weights on the other hand, it just seems like work. Great attitude, I know.

    Well, you could start by getting a training partner. That instantly makes the gym a bit of a laugh.

    To reduce the amount of "work" you have to do, you could focus on lower reps with heavier weight. This will half the amount of time you spend on a set, but will still give you a good work out.

    I do a max of 6 reps, and I have no problem building size.


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  • #7
    unreggd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,835 ✭✭✭unreggd


    Play rugby


  • #8
    Khannie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    RKDus wrote: »
    Doing weights on the other hand, it just seems like work. Great attitude, I know.

    Doing anything you're not enjoying will seem like work. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Maybe look at a sport that uses the upper body a lot. Rowing, swimming, cross training maybe? Also, feed the machine. :)


  • #9
    WolfForager
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,532 ✭✭✭WolfForager


    unreggd wrote: »
    Play rugby

    I'm sure rugby does a bit for your upper body but i can't see it being an alternative to weights. When you compare guys who played rugby 20 years ago and who didn't work out, they looked like average joe soaps. Now however 80% of rugby players go to the gym and lift weights and thus they look huge.


  • #10
    beertons
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 23,211 ✭✭✭✭beertons


    Swimming. Try do 20/30 lengths, and not use your legs. Your arms will be pulling your whole body. Start off once a week to begin!


  • #11
    RKDus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 110 ✭✭RKDus


    Khannie wrote: »
    Doing anything you're not enjoying will seem like work. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Maybe look at a sport that uses the upper body a lot. Rowing, swimming, cross training maybe? Also, feed the machine. :)
    I may just have another crack at the weights, it's probably the only real option for building up.
    On the subject of diet, would milk be as good as protein shakes and the like? Don't have a lot of money to spend on supplements.


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  • #12
    dave80
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,032 ✭✭✭dave80


    milk is great for extra protein and its aslo calorie dense, you could try boxing kickboxing etc if you dont stick to the weights


  • #13
    maxxie
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 949 ✭✭✭maxxie


    Why do you find it tedious? You could use bodyweight exercise but you will eventually stop progressing because your body needs the overload to keep getting bigger! swimming is also good for toning and muscle endurance.
    It has been said already but a training partner would make you better, by them just being there you will train harder, get abit of healthy competition going and you will have abit of fun!


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