About building muscle

[jigmastermatt]

So, I'm 14, and I can do a few sets of 20-30 pushups. I also do cruches, etc. But, I'm skinny, you can see my ribs and stuff. If I continue to work out as much as I can, will I eventually build muscle, and get bigger without changing my diet and stuff?

[lei_kung]

You are young and still developing so it might be possible because we can't know how your genetics will help or hurt you.

If we remove the age/development aspect we then have the question of a skinny man wanting to build muscle by push-ups, sit-ups, etc and not changing his diet. This being the case, the answer is no you will not add muscle. You can add definition and a "cut" look but you will put on relatively little amount of muscle.

There are two reasons for this. The first is because your diet is insufficient. Since you are skinny it is safe to say you either have a high metabolism or you are eating only enough to maintain your current physical state. Either way if you wish to pack on muscle you must eat more and eat properly. This means eating tons of quality proteins and quality carbs. You must understand that what you eat is the single most important aspect of building the body you want. Also note that the old body builder belief that you must get fat to build muscle then cut the fat and repeat that process is not valid. You can pack on lean muscle without ever having to get fat.

The second reason is the exercise you are doing. You are doing low resistance and high repetition exercises. These are good exercises for endurance and can be good for explosive power (depending on how they are done). Although, they do not promote muscle mass growth but with proper diet you will see some results but you will not be a body builder. Again those results will only be seen if proper diet is used.

Ultimately, you need to define what your goals are. From there you can develop a dietary plan and a work out plan (over working the muscles will stop progress as quickly as not working out). Also, because of your age you will still be "filling out". Although, what I'm suggesting isn't harmful, it just takes dedication.

Lei Kung

[jigmastermatt]

Okay, thanks a lot. Can you recommend any excersizes I can do to build streghth without needing to buy anything? Thanks a lot. Oh, and I will look into eating better.

[DickHardman]

if you want to build muscles, then you need to join a gym or health club that will give access to weights and machines at least 3 times a week and eat more protein, carbs, and fats. pushups and crunches are for women who want to look toned and sexy, not for building muscles. you are kind of young, but you may as well start learning the proper forms and proper info at a young age because weight lifting/working out is a discipline in itself with many strategies, routines, and techniques.

[jigmastermatt]

Wow, this is old. Anyways, the only thing is that I can't really afford to join something like that. Btw by now I am in better shape than I was when I first started this, from the sit ups/pushups. Uhm so I might join a boxing gym to get in shape for like 15$ a year <_< ANy more advice?

[DickHardman]

training in boxing will get you in great shape.

doing bagwork is a form of resistance training that will workout your entire body.

[Tom Yum]

jigmastermatt,

There are a number of bodyweight resistance excercises you can do to build a base level of strength and some excellent muscular endurance; that is the ability to exert force again and again without tiring.

I would look into the crossfit program at crossfit.com. You will not get built like a bodybuilder by doing this kind of program, but you will get ripped as a result of building explosive speed, stamina and agility.

Keep doing pushups, but vary the width of your hands. Do one handed pushups, clap pushups etc. and you will build all kinds of explosive speed and stamina.

Do pullups (palms facing away) with a wide grip. Do chinups with palms facing you and a more narrow grip.

Do hand stand pushups. Get into a hand stand using the wall as balance and try to lower yourself to head level and press yourself up.

Do situps, leg raises, lunges, squat jumps, skip rope, go for a run, swim or a bike.

You've got a lot of inexpensive and effective options to chose from.

Check out rossboxing as well.