Rest, and chest dev.

[Greg-VT]

Hey, I have been trying to put this post off. Looking through all the other similar threads. Waiting for something that might fit to my profile, but anyway, here it is.

I've seen a fair amount of posts here since I've been registered about overtraining, and taking rest between work outs. What I'm worried about is if I’m not getting enough 'rest'.

First Issue:

I'm basically training everyday, but in different areas. IE. Martial Arts Training, and Weight Training. To give an idea, I'm doing my MA training every second day, for two hours. Then every OTHER day I'm weight training... not exactly a 'huge' workout'.

I'm also going to add more CV to the MA days, running etc. (I'm currently skipping [jumping rope], and just plain jumping)

Then on the weekend, I try to have either Sat or Sun off, but depends if I really want to go to MA training or not. Generally no weight on the weekend.
Eg.
Mon - weight training
Tue - 2 hours MA
Wed - weight training
Thur - 2 hours MA
Fri - weight training
Sat - 2 hours MA *
Sun - 2 hours MA *

My main concern is not enough of a break between weight training. Once I started ( about 2-3 weeks ago), I noticed a huge difference after my first and second workout (except chest), but now the progress has kinda slowed down.

So should be slowing it down? Or do I have more room to move?

Second Issue:

All I have are dumbbells, a bench, and a chip-up bar.
My arms (esp. forearms), abs, and back, I don't really have a problem with.... for now.

But I am having trouble with my chest. I've been doing dumbbell flys, and dumbbell bench press. But I'm pretty weak in that area, eg. size, strength.. etc Without a barbell, is there anything I can do for more gains?

I'm not big guy at all, so those initial gains within the first few weeks may just be a some kinda of result of that. And I’m getting plenty of protein each day, so that can not be the reason behind the gain slowdowns.


So, that's it. I'd appreciate anything anyone has to say.

Tah.

[YODA]

How long have you been doing this? Progress with weights is best measured 3 monthly - not after a few sessions.

[Greg-VT]

:( No no no, I've been doing the MA / Weight thing for a few weeks. Previous to that, I've been doing curls, presses, sit-ups and all that mumbo-jumbo since about last November. About 1 -2 times a week. I've just started taking it seriously with the last 2-3 weeks with diet and measuring progress etc.

:D Besides, that wasn't my main issue....

Basically, it was : Is training everyday, in one form or another, over doing it?? I don't know why I didn't ask that out right before....... would have made much less reading, and less confusion. Sorry. Call it boredom.

[grandmaster mat]

why dont u buy a barbell? they're not alot of money

[Knight_Errant]

Basically, it was : Is training everyday, in one form or another, over doing it??

Yes, it is. Every book, article and webpage I've read on the subject seems to think so. So do the grubbers I work with.

[Sean O]

Without a barbell, is there anything I can do for more gains?

Dips are a really good exercise. They usually work better for me than bench presses.

[YODA]

Dips are a great exercise - make sure you lean forward if you're trying to ghit your chest.

[tave]

now that you mention it, i was doin dibs last week, and i got this terrible back pain. i think i was going to low or something

[YODA]

Originally posted by tave
now that you mention it, i was doin dibs last week, and i got this terrible back pain. i think i was going to low or something


Lean forward and take your elbows to 90 degrees.

[Greg-VT]

Yeah, proberly be getting a barbell next month.

Dips... I'll have to look that one up.

tah.