Upper Body Strength Training

[OakLeaf]

Chin-ups! If you even do two or three you'll impress all the boys. When you've done as many as you can, do a couple-three more eccentric (climb up to the chin bar, then let yourself down slo-o-o-o-wly, 30 sec if you can), that's how you build up to doing more full ones. Or your gym may have an assist machine where you kneel on a cantilevered platform.

[lovelylibrarian]

Chin-ups! If you even do two or three you'll impress all the boys. When you've done as many as you can, do a couple-three more eccentric (climb up to the chin bar, then let yourself down slo-o-o-o-wly, 30 sec if you can), that's how you build up to doing more full ones. Or your gym may have an assist machine where you kneel on a cantilevered platform.

Yes, the chin up. I am still traumatized by the Marine physical fitness program (I think that's what it was called) that came to my high school all those years ago and had the women do the "flexed arm hang" and men do the chin ups.

My gym does have the assist machine. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Zen]

I like Mimi's suggestion of push ups. They work everything and are good for core strength too.

Check out these variations

[dachshund]

I do core strengthening - various plank & sit up exercises, some back exercises on the pully-machines, and the standard free weight exercises for arms. Now that I think about it, I could probably cut down on the leg stuff while I'm riding more.

[Fujichants]

I am also having a very tough time trying to fit in strength training twice a week with all the biking and running i'm doing. At the end of the day (or when I wake up in the morning) the last thing I want to think about is dragging myself to the gym, having to wait to use machines (or having to brave the annoying men checking me out when I go to the free weights section).

[bmccasland]

In the summer months I mow the grass, weed-eat, and sweep the sidewalks and porch. My grass grows about 6 inches in a week - OK, maybe only 4. I was using a push mower, but I finally had to give in and buy an internal combustion engine. I fought the lawn, and the lawn won. I try to remember to hold in my stomach while I'm doing all this. Amazing the amount of upper body work out I get doing the lawn.

Will try Mimi's suggestion and do *real* push-ups.

[OakLeaf]

another favorite push-up variation with BIG core work: one foot on the stability ball, the other foot raised. Do one set with each foot. Easier than it sounds.

[blondiebiker]

I just started using these straps at my gym:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI1DgWYnqZs

They are amazing! If your gym has them, you should definitely give them a try.

- I just watched that video all the way through, and it looks a lot more intimidating than the strap workout really is! It's nice because it's completely customizable...

[dachshund]

I am also having a very tough time trying to fit in strength training twice a week with all the biking and running i'm doing. At the end of the day (or when I wake up in the morning) the last thing I want to think about is dragging myself to the gym, having to wait to use machines (or having to brave the annoying men checking me out when I go to the free weights section).

Yeah, I hate the free weight section, too. I keep having to tell myself, you pay to go here, get over there and ignore those people.

[Tuckervill]

Usually there are hand weights in the aerobics room in all the gyms I've been in. Just go in there and use those.

Karen