Can you gain muscles doing push-ups and sit-ups?
 

Can one gain muscles doing just calisthenic exercises (i.e. pushups, sit-ups, leg raise, etc)? Or one must use weights to gain muscles?

You will get stronger and gain muscle by doing pushups and leg raise etc

You will be then it will stop once your body adapts to that weight.

yes and there are many many different styles of pushups and situps to do so change them up when you get used to one

Yes, and it is well worth the time. Then throw in some swimming, and you are set.

what he said

how much muscle we talking about you trying to gain

Enough to be cut and be noticible with a t-shirt on.

the getting cut part has more to do with diet then anything else

gaining musle that will be noticed with a shirt on you will need weights unless you have some supreme genetics

its hard to gain muscle and stay cut at the same time just because a different type of diet is needed to pack on muscle and different to cut up, the guys you see in fitness mags all cut arent cut all year round they got an on and off season

regardless bodyweight training is a great foundation to anything

Actually if you are going to look in the mirror and see size difference you'd be surprised to know that it depends on the kind of muscle your genetics have given you. There's like a red or white muscle? something like that, and even a painful test to determine what you are genetically disposed to.
So quite often if you see someone with a huge chest, either they like Steroids, or they are genetically disposed with red muscle fiber that when it tears grows in thickness and depth.
.. something like that, I'm no expert but this is pretty well known now

as far as gaining strength, it's all about pushing the muscles to adapt to heavier weights each week. Most schools of thought advise on a 2 day on 2 day off lifting schedule.

of course diet is the most important part and easily screwed.. 6 small meals a day protein packed, do about a gram to 1.5 gram of protein per muscle pound of your body

I course you can but you'll need to lift more heavy weights if you want to body build

Genetics do play a big part but doing proper push ups and sit ups and challenging your body more and more will build muscle.

If your looking to gain muscle mass by doing set ups try adding some weights. Start with about a 5-10lb on your chest.

it will help,
but you need to train with wieghts also

I'm not big, but I'm happy with my build. I haven't lifted a weight in 2 years. Just push ups, pull ups, sit ups (and genetics).

taken last night:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/3...4f05d7bd_m.jpg

You can't grow muscle unless you give them something to build with. You must EAT MORE to GAIN more. And eating PROTEIN will build up your muscle mass if you exercise those muscles.

Protien is the only thing your muscles eat - remember that quote.

Better than weights for some target goals.

You have girly hands.
Nice though :thumbsup

Torso looks great bud, the only thing i see needing a minor update for perfection would be to do some curls and skullcrushers to build up your biceps and triceps slightly....but none the less bravo on good genetics, I started lifting 2 weeks ago for the first time in forever, gotta get back in the grind haha

I guess that says it all!

NOT TRUE

sure you can, but free weights are the best for that.

Do not forget, diet is the most important, like many said above.

NOT TRUE

How much push ups, pull ups, sit ups do you do a day/week?

You can also (later when you get used to your body weight) take a backpack, put a few bottles of water or something heaver in it, and do pushups/pullups, it does work.

And how often per week do we need to these exercises? Can we do on set (20 to 50 repetions) of each daily?

Personally, I am less concerend with numbers and more concerend with failure.

I do a very short workout:
2 sets of pushups, as many as I can, concentrating on good form and slowed down.
1 set of crunches, as many as I can do. Then 20 or so side crunches (each side) to finish up.

When I am doing pull ups. 2 sets of as many as I can do.

My schedule is abs- 6 days a week. (basically, daily if I can)
push ups 3 times. pull ups 3 times. (alternating)

When I was in the Marines I worked out with weights maybe once a month.

We Ran and did lots of push ups, sit ups and other calisthenics. I hate using weights.

That's impressive... Any cardio?

I usually go on a short bike ride or beach walk 5 days a week. But again, genetics is key.

JB: Yeah, I been doin cock pushups.
KG: Cock Pushups?
JB: Yeah.
KG: What are those?
JB: Its where you fuckin lay down flat on the ground.
KG: Yeah...
JB: And then you let your boner lift you up off the ground.
KG: N...no, that's, that'd be impossible. Your cock can support your whole
weight?
JB: Well not at first...
KG: Yeah?
JB: But over time.
KG: Hmm...how many pushups can you do?
JB: ...cock pushups?
KG: Yeah...I guess, you could only do one really.
JB: Yeah, well one is all ya need

:thumbsup :thumbsup

Not to detract from Hal's work, but that is mostly genetics.

Some guys are just lucky!

I'm slightly endomorphic so it's a pita to keep in shape, worth it though as I love the burn and find it easy to build/keep muscle!

:1orglaugh ! Jealous much?

genetics is bullshit


is all about technique ! and yes people with certain genetics do certain movements in a VERY efficient way thus making it easyier for them to get good results HOWEVER ; the good results are not DIRECTLY based on the genetics but rahter INDIRECTLY and thus anyone who learns the right movement ie ; the right way of doing an actual exercise can get similar results

the problem with many people is that they have no idea HOW to work out ; even most fitness instructors and all other crap are rather clueless ; ist all about anatomy and how muscles work and all ;

efficient movemnt is key; and that can be thaught; you actually have to work out your muscle to make them stronger ; the way most people work out all they do is make their muscle tired :

and your daily food diet as a lifestyle too dont forget LOL :thumbsup

Looking good though my man as always !

Hershal wlaker NEVER lifted weights while he was in college football and he won the Hiesman award!

at the time his resistance training was all body oriented

push ups , sit ups , pull ups, Plyometrics, isometrics , etc.....

For what it is worth, I am happy with your build too. :Graucho

yeah but you've got to adopt a good health diet as well. Eat more small meals and start doing protein shakes

Well, thanks for the credit. But I have to say I strongly disagree.

You look YUMMY :)

anal retentive point here

nothing you can ever do will help you 'gain muscles'

but you can increase the volume of your muscles by following a lot of the tips in this thread.


spaz

Yes, what kind of dumb question is this anyway? :1orglaugh

you can surely gain muscles by push-ups for chest and sit-ups for stomach,
but it is for a long period of time...lift weights would do the best thing for you and by taking some vitamins...it will only take you up to 2 to 3 months, and you will see the improvement of your muscles easily...

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

really? how many?


spaz

yea i experienced it, during the holidays ive been slacking with workouts but since a year or more i do a couple of pushup and situp sets 5 to 6 days a week, plus bike rides of 45 minutes 5 days a week... it def showed this summer, when id be on the beach & ran into peeps i know they were all like wtf have u been doing haha..

anyone can gain muscle, its genetics that define the muscle.

protein baby. thats it.

:thumbsup

I hate you. :(

I can't do that with working out all the time.