new to fitness

[cdavis1972]

Ok...so I am new to the fitness world at 40 years old. I have begun working out at Golds Gym as often as I can. I don't have the cajones to post pictures yet as I am completely embarrassed at how I have let myself go. Maybe when I have some after pictures to go along with them...

Anyway I have a question. When doing upper body, chest in particular, shoulders give out before I feel like I have gotten a good chest workout. Are shoulders that weak? Should I keep doing these excercises until shoulders strengthen and chest plays a bigger part? I am doing incline presses, chest flyes and pullovers. All with dumbbells. Any suggestions on this would be great.

I'll be asking lots of questions as I go along with program so be ready.

thanks

[Boss Man]

Two possibilites.

You're using a bit too much weight on one or more chest exercises.

You're not doing enough shoulder and / or back training, so you're not getting enough stabilisation on one or more chest exercises, to get the most out of them.

You may also want to explore the possibility of any issues, regarding muscle imbalances around the shoulder, traps, rotator cuff and levator scapulae areas and if there may be specific things that could be done to correct any potential problem, or therapies / modalities that might correct any potential problem.

[SelfHelpFitGuy]

I find Cardio gets fitness up quickly. So I recommend running/jogging or even walking initially adding in swimming and cycling. I love being out in the open on warmer days but a treadmill is great when its cold or wet to keep you to your regime. Swimming is a great way to build your upper body without the risks of injury through weights. Also all the above will help you burn off fat quicker so that when you do start building up muscle the benefits will be more obvious. You will look like a lean mean fitness machine I have a free eBook on website titled 97 Ways to get Fit and Stay Fit which you might also find useful. Go here http://selfhelpfitness.com/index.php?page=279063" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to download it.

[ManOfSteel025]

I think Boss Man is on the right track. Your chest is easily one of the strongest muscle groups in the body, but if you don't strengthen you shoulders and back, you won't be able to get maximum results from chest workouts. Don't get discouraged when starting shoulder workouts, as they are typically very weak due to lack of use in everyday activities. I would recommend you start with pushups (3-4 sets X 90% of your max reps). You will definitely see improvement quickly. Also try some side lateral raises with very light weight dumbbells (don't be embarrassed using 10-15lb dumbbells. better to start with lower weight and avoid injury). Please respond with your progress!

[mymusclepassion]

Sounds like you are using too much shoulder muscles when you are working chest. Be sure concentrate using more of your chest muscles. You do use some shoulder muscles but you shouldn't be that soar when working chest. Also Make sure you are using the correct form when working out. You need to work on strengthening your shoulders. I suggest separating your workouts, try working out shoulders first in the beginning of the week. Then do chest towards the end. Check out http://www.mymusclepassion.com for workout ideas and exercises.

[Boss Man]

Nothing against you, but I personally wouldn't reccomend Shoulders earlier in the week, as the fatigue might affect the Chest workouts later in the week. I'd prefer splits to go with 3 days of large muscles, a day off, 2 days small muscles and a day off. If the person did Chest on day 2 for example, they could do Chest on day 5, meaning there would be 4 days until Chest again, which is adequate time for the Shoulders to recover and hopefully not negatively affect something like a Chest workout in any way.

Also regards that site of yours. That reccomended for you thing that slides out and then reduces when closed, is annoying as heck. You might want to consider removing it. just a polite thought .