Reasonable expectations for gaining mass
in [Fitness]
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From: mjoann on 8 Sep 2005 18:31 Hello, I'm not the most athletic person; I've always been skinny and wimpy. In the last year, I *finally* put on some weight and look more like a normal person. I am 5'2" 105 lbs now, and my BMI and body fat percentage are just at the lowest end of "normal." Here's my problem: I have a terrible figure due to a tiny upper body frame. My bust is 32.5" and my below bust rib cage measurement is 26". This isn't totally due to being thin, in fact, my ribs are completely covered and do not show. My waist is 24.5" and my hips are 35.5" which I am totally fine with. I know I will always be pear shaped, but I would like to gain some mass in my upper body to get clothes to fit better. I've been lifting weights to gain mass and can see a difference in my arms and shoulders. I had to start pretty light and have worked up to 5 lbs (hey, no laughing!;) I am working my lats to get a wider back, etc. My question is: what is a reasonable goal for a woman as far as inches of mass gained in the chest? I'm not looking to be in contests or anything like that, of course. I have a 3" difference between my bust and hips, and have read that the average woman has a 2" difference, and we all know the ideal is to be even. I'd like to at least reach the average which would require a 1" gain. Is this possible with a moderate (three times a week) workout? What can I reasonably expect to gain if I work up in weight over a couple years? (Or would it even take that long?) I'd love to hear from other women who have gained upper body mass, or anyone that has first hand experience or examples. Thanks, Mjoann
From: T on 8 Sep 2005 18:53 mjoann wrote: > Hello, > > I'm not the most athletic person; I've always been skinny and wimpy. In > the last year, I *finally* put on some weight and look more like a > normal person. I am 5'2" 105 lbs now, and my BMI and body fat percentage > are just at the lowest end of "normal." > > Here's my problem: > I have a terrible figure due to a tiny upper body frame. My bust is > 32.5" and my below bust rib cage measurement is 26". This isn't totally > due to being thin, in fact, my ribs are completely covered and do not > show. My waist is 24.5" and my hips are 35.5" which I am totally fine > with. I know I will always be pear shaped, but I would like to gain some > mass in my upper body to get clothes to fit better. > > I've been lifting weights to gain mass and can see a difference in my > arms and shoulders. I had to start pretty light and have worked up to 5 > lbs (hey, no laughing!;) I am working my lats to get a wider back, etc. > > My question is: what is a reasonable goal for a woman as far as inches > of mass gained in the chest? I'm not looking to be in contests or > anything like that, of course. I have a 3" difference between my bust > and hips, and have read that the average woman has a 2" difference, and > we all know the ideal is to be even. I'd like to at least reach the > average which would require a 1" gain. Is this possible with a moderate > (three times a week) workout? What can I reasonably expect to gain if I > work up in weight over a couple years? (Or would it even take that long?) > I'd love to hear from other women who have gained upper body mass, or > anyone that has first hand experience or examples. The good news is that if develop a reasonable level of upper body strength you'll probably be around even. Do big exercises; specifically, squat, bench and row. Use the machines until you're strong enough to use a barbell, then switch to the barbell. Come back for more when you can upright row the barbell. Expect to get stronger fast for a couple of months; beginner's gains are wonderful.
From: Curt James on 8 Sep 2005 19:28 mjoann wrote: SNIP > I'm not the most athletic person; I've always > been skinny SNIP > What can I reasonably expect to gain if I > work up in weight over a couple years? (Or would Expectations are just that. Individuals and their response to weights vary incredibly. Regardless, get training and report back. > it even take that long?) I'd love to hear from > other women who have gained upper body mass, or > anyone that has first hand experience or examples. SNIP How about second hand? http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html At 6'0" and 150 lbs. as a 15-year-old, I was all about the skinny as well. With Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, et al. littered across the strip malls, you'd think they would've had a place specifically set up for the bone biscuits. Very best of luck. -- Curt http://curtjames.com/
From: mct546 on 9 Sep 2005 10:20 It sounds like she just wants bigger breasts... I thought women's breast tissue was all fat, and that benching, etc. would AT BEST develop the muscle behind the breast, giving them a lift. No amount of chest exercise will make them bigger. True? Implants... On the subject of breasts, for a woman who does not plan to be a fitness model, I would say don't worry about it honey. I like them big, I like them small, I like them all. What I have experienced was this chic, who had B's but they were too soft, like squishy even. I got the hell out of there.... :)
From: mjoann on 9 Sep 2005 12:38
mct546 wrote: > It sounds like she just wants bigger breasts... > > I thought women's breast tissue was all fat, and that benching, etc. > would AT BEST develop the muscle behind the breast, giving them a > lift. No amount of chest exercise will make them bigger. True? Heck no, I am not asking for bigger breasts. I'm already a natural B+ which looks fine on my little frame. You can't exercise them bigger anyway; I know better than that. If I wanted bigger breasts, I wouldn't be working my lats, arms, shoulders, etc. I really just want more "mass" because I have a very small rib cage, and barely any "V" shape to my torso. My proportions look fine from front to back, it is just from side to side that my chest is narrower than my hips. I was just wondering what can of gains an average woman can expect. For instance, will I have to work like crazy to add an extra 1" or is 2" relatively simple, etc. It is hard for me to envision how much "work" creates how much muscle. mjoann |