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Old 2 Weeks Ago: 3rd November 2009 23:36 #1 
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Default Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Ok i'm 5'11, about 65kg and have pretty much no muscle at all.

I just want to build my biceps to give me more confidence (and make me more attractive to girls )

Any ideas on how many reps and sets I should do?
And what weight I should start on / how often I should do these exercises?

Cheers guys in advance.
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Old 2 Weeks Ago: 3rd November 2009 23:38 #2 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Isolating your biceps isn't going to help you. You're best of going on a strength training routine for a couple of months and then going on a split (hypertrophy) routine.
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 3rd November 2009 23:40 #3 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Wait, are you even going to go to a gym? or will you just be using free weights at home on the 'poser' muscles?
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 3rd November 2009 23:43 #4 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Look through the forums, there is plenty of advice. And dont isolate some muscles, work you whole body.
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 3rd November 2009 23:46 #5 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
If your naturally skinny you will only really be able to build lean muscle which is much harder, buh it will be dense, strong stuff -
ALWAYS concentrate on technique and not how much you can lift, once you overcome that you will see the results for yourself
Hope it helps
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 3rd November 2009 23:48 #6 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by PBTimmeh
Wait, are you even going to go to a gym? or will you just be using free weights at home on the 'poser' muscles?

Yeah i just signed up to my local gym... and tell me more about how to build my lean muscle?
And any good exercises?

Also, if I have to work out my whole body, where can I find workouts?

I hear Mens Fitness is good, if so i might just get that, although I'd rather get free advice here
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 3rd November 2009 23:50 #7 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by fernandotorres999
Yeah i just signed up to my local gym... and tell me more about how to build my lean muscle?
And any good exercises?

Also, if I have to work out my whole body, where can I find workouts?

I hear Mens Fitness is good, if so i might just get that, although I'd rather get free advice here

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Old 2 Weeks Ago: 3rd November 2009 23:52 #8 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi...inner_Programs

Go.
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 00:00 #9 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by fernandotorres999
Ok i'm 5'11, about 65kg and have pretty much no muscle at all.

I just want to build my biceps to give me more confidence (and make me more attractive to girls )

Any ideas on how many reps and sets I should do?
And what weight I should start on / how often I should do these exercises?

Cheers guys in advance.
Do Starting Strength. I like this version of it, because rows are easier to learn than powercleans.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=998224

Lots more good info about Starting Strength here:
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi..._Strength_Wiki

I'd also recommend getting the book STARTING STRENGTH by Mark Rippetoe.

When SS no longer works (when you've stalled a few times on the big movements), you need an intermediate routine. Some good ones (there are many more good ones out there, but these are 3 I like):

Westside for Skinny Bastards:
http://www.defrancostraining.com/articles.html
Another WS4SB variation - this one is designed more for those who are not athletes (and so don't have the added complication of having to train for their sport as well as weight training):
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi...kinny_Bastards

Madcow's 5x5:
http://www.geocities.com/elitemadcow...Linear_5x5.htm

Iron Addict's Simple Power Based Routine:
http://www.ironaddicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8050

EDIT: The Madcow link no longer works because geocities no longer exists. Doh!
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 00:04 #10 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Wow just looked at those links and the emphasis seems to be on press ups etc.
I always thought building biceps was through doing weights in the gym - shows how little i know lol
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 00:15 #11 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by fernandotorres999
Wow just looked at those links and the emphasis seems to be on press ups etc.

What? No. The emphasis is on compound movements with a barbell; squats, presses and deadlifts. Pushups don't come into it.

I always thought building biceps was through doing weights in the gym - shows how little i know lol

Do yourself a favour and forget about your biceps.
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 00:18 #12 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by Planto
What? No. The emphasis is on compound movements with a barbell; squats, presses and deadlifts. Pushups don't come into it.



Do yourself a favour and forget about your biceps.

Well the whole reason i'm doing this is to get more attention from girls, and they only really notice your biceps unless you walk around topless.
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 00:19 #13 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Do compound exercises, eat well, sleep well and do light CV - important to be healthy inside.

For example:

Bench/Dead lift/Military Press/Dips/Squats/pullups - concentrate on exercises which work groups. Then perhaps work on isolation later after a few months and get into working particular groups on different days.
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 00:35 #14 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by fernandotorres999
Well the whole reason i'm doing this is to get more attention from girls, and they only really notice your biceps unless you walk around topless.

They think its your biceps but its your whole physique. Seeing that the majority of the top of the arm is tricep, bicep is less important when training for aesthetics. The whole body is important because its still noticeable, huge arms and tiny shoulders, chest etc would look ridiculous
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 00:43 #15 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by fernandotorres999
Wow just looked at those links and the emphasis seems to be on press ups etc.
I always thought building biceps was through doing weights in the gym - shows how little i know lol
Literally NONE of the links posted mention press ups ...
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 00:47 #16 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by RawJoh1
Literally NONE of the links posted mention press ups ...

You wonder what people do when you post links sometimes

You answer them perfectly with a link, then they ask you a question that is right there in the link, or as in this case have no idea of the routine

I think they actually want us to lift the weights for them sometimes!
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 00:48 #17 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
5'11 and 65kg is pretty skinny. i'm skinny - 65kg at 5'9 so you need to eat a lot more and train hard
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 01:19 #18 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by fernandotorres999
Well the whole reason i'm doing this is to get more attention from girls, and they only really notice your biceps unless you walk around topless.

So much wrong here.

1) The tricep makes up > 2/3 of the upper arm.
2) They don't "only notice your biceps" at all. That's absolute nonsense. You don't have to have your tits out for someone to be able to see that you have a good physique.
3) Training the entire body will improve your biceps more than training just biceps, even if you train those biceps longer and harder than the you would spend on the full-body workout. You need testosterone and growth hormone. You won't get much of a release of either just doing curls. Get your legs working.
 

Last edited by Planto : 2 Weeks Ago at 01:30.

Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 06:57 #19 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
You get big and strong and pack on 15kg of muscular bodyweight, and you will have confidence like you never thought possible.
 
Old 2 Weeks Ago: 4th November 2009 11:15 #20 
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Default Re: Skinny beginner wanting to build muscle
 
Originally Posted by SMed
You get big and strong and pack on 15kg of muscular bodyweight, and you will have confidence like you never thought possible.

Indeed, i put on 20kg all over my body and its improved everything. OP you sound like your average bloke interested in results but in a fast/cheating/least effort possible.

You will fail because of that.

Oh i heard men's health has loads of cool things to make ur biceps huge, and if your interested, i read how to get a 6 pack in 8 days
 
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