26
votes
Accepted
My pushups don't increase
Don't worry. The question is perfectly on-topic here.
When I read through your description of your process, I'm on the lookout for one single thing. And unless I'm missing it, I don't see it anywhere ...
Alec♦
- 17.8k
21
votes
Accepted
If a child scooters everyday, does it make one leg of him/her larger than the other?
Unilateral training does indeed lead to a difference between the size and strength of the muscles on each side. However, most active individuals have discrepancies between their dominant and non-...
- 6,126
17
votes
My pushups don't increase
I actually joined this community because I read your post. I won't say I am the know all guru on this, but from personal experience I will say it is normal to drop. Don't take this as the LAW, as ...
- 171
15
votes
Passive work out?
Your problem
A passive way of working out sounds like a paradox.
If you want to become stronger, you need to exert your muscles. And exertion of the muscles is an "activity", which is an antonym to "...
Alec♦
- 17.8k
15
votes
Do high reps build strength?
I think you've heard the right idea, but you're misinterpreting it.
Of course high reps builds some strength, but certainly not a whole lot. It's going to take a lot more effort (in terms of joules ...
Alec♦
- 17.8k
13
votes
Accepted
Powerlifting vs Strongman
The very quick answer is that Powerlifting is more about standing in one place and moving a heavy weight through a range of motion (be it deadlift, squat or bench press). There is a certain technique ...
- 4,703
13
votes
Accepted
Doing 110 pull ups in a row non stop
How does [someone] prepare to do 110 pull ups in a row
Start by recognizing this as an extreme goal. I bet the people achieving >75 pull-ups got there by doing gymnastics or bar calisthenics for ...
- 24.8k
11
votes
How much stronger can you get as you get fatter?
Don't Confuse Size with Genetics and Training
My former coach won the genetic lottery as someone who can just naturally get beastly strong. An example of that genetic pool, he took his mother to the ...
- 42.5k
11
votes
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Practical applications of the earthquake/bamboo bar
Wow, you're lucky! Kudos to your gym for acquiring one of these. I wish my gym had one too.
What is that?
It's commonly referred to as a "bamboo bar" because of its resemblence. It's actually ...
Alec♦
- 17.8k
10
votes
How much stronger can you get as you get fatter?
Stop Making Excuses
Don't tell me that fat doesn't make people stronger because it does.
Of course many fat people are strong. Of course people get stronger faster if they aren't trying to stay ...
- 24.8k
10
votes
Accepted
In between sets — what to do?
If you're goal is strength than in between sets you should rest. Catch your breath. Have some water. Nibble on some sort of calories. Load more weight on the bar. Then go again. Not sure why you're ...
- 448
10
votes
Accepted
Soy Protein and Protein Requirements
This is not really going to be a definitive answer, as you can find studies that support almost any position, so what I'm looking at for this is the trend of the studies that I've reviewed.
Overall, ...
- 22.1k
9
votes
I can't perform a single pull-up
Do slow negatives, start at the top and lower yourself slowly, this is the way most people get strong enough to do their first, clean pull/chin-ups. If you have a rubber band to attach to the bar, ...
- 2,755
9
votes
Is Rich Piana's strength achievable without anabolic steroids?
To get some idea as to the maximum you will be able to lift while being drug tested and maintaining 75kg we can look to the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) records. They perform checks for ...
- 6,952
8
votes
Is there a biological reason for women to be weaker than men (in the same weight category)?
Greg Nuckols has written a series of articles on this subject (with plenty of references).
In the first part, Sex Differences in Training and Metabolism, they show that it turns out that almost all ...
- 913
8
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to recruit all the motor units available?
This is sort of a complicated question from a physiological point of view.
Muscle is made of myocytes (muscle cells), which are made of a few things of interest in relation to your question.
Let'...
- 4,444
8
votes
Neck problems, are massages the best answer?
I would recommend a balanced and proven strength training program. The typical office job tends to provide numerous posture issues and strains from being in awkward positions for hours at a time.
...
- 14.8k
8
votes
Neck problems, are massages the best answer?
I cant diagnose you but a doctor might be able to identify if you have any of the following:
I think you may have Thoracic Kyphosis/Forward Head ("Computer Guy" Hunchback): Upper cross syndrome is ...
- 6,952
8
votes
Passive work out?
Assuming you have no physical limitations, your problem seems to be a lack of motivation. Rather than doing things you don’t like, you should find an activity that can keep your interest for a ...
- 6,641
7
votes
Accepted
How come females with less testosterone can be stronger than males with more?
Testosterone is a steroid hormone. A steroid simply being present does not necessarily mean that a person is making good use of it. Men are obviously on average going to out perform women in feats ...
- 206
7
votes
Accepted
What are the target muscles of kettlebell swings
Performing a proper two-hand kettlebell swing is a whole-body workout as opposed to isolating single muscles. However, the main muscles that go into swinging a bell are glutes, hamstrings, lower back +...
- 186
7
votes
Would this work for a teen looking to get lean?
There's a very common misconception here. Many people think that certain types of exercise will give you one body shape or the other. The reasoning is (more or less explicitly), that since power ...
- 2,755
7
votes
Accepted
Why am I not growing muscularly?
light weightlifting
This will not build muscle for you. Lift heavier weights.
some cardio excerise
This fights your effort to gain muscle. Consider doing less cardio if you want to grow muscle.
...
- 24.8k
7
votes
Accepted
How to listen to the body during a run?
This is very much an individual question, as everyone has different requirements and reacts in different ways to fluid and food intake when running. It's just very much trial and error to find what ...
- 22.1k
7
votes
In between sets — what to do?
Relax. Sit, lie down, listen to music, talk to friends. If you're outside, enjoy the sun. If you really want to do something related to the training, visualize the exercise you are doing.
Where do ...
- 1,957
7
votes
Accepted
Exercise for standing from position sitting on the ground?
This is a very common question - so know you are definitely not alone. There are some easy exercises that you can do to get better at it. A lot of people actually just don’t get onto the ground for ...
- 2,775
7
votes
What to do after joining the gym?
In short, following a competent fitness program is the single best thing that you can do.
But let's explore your question more and extrapolate on why that is. First and foremost I want to point out ...
- 4,412
7
votes
Accepted
Unable to maintain weights and increase in reps from work out session to session, why?
As has been pointed out, you have been coming up with routines that are of questionable quality, pursuing them for a very short time and then wondering why you are not getting results.
Building ...
- 22.1k
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