Teenager who wants to keep his shape and get more built - need a routine! - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

amigoingtobeok · 05-27-2008, 06:33 PM

Hi everyone!
My name is David, I'm 5'8 and I weigh roughly 126 lbs.
I've always been sort of . . . not a sports kind of guy, therefore instead of regular team sports, I did karate to stay in shape. I hated it with a passion, everything about it. So i stopped.
Thanks to karate, however, I developed a nice set of abs, but I think they might be fading away

And my arms have always been a bit lanky...
I don't exercise much now, and I think the main reason is because I don't have a routine, or a schedule.
My main problem is my lack of equipment. I've been bugging my parents for a gym membership for a while, but they think it is a waste of money.
I'd like to stay muscular, like I was when i did karate, and hopefully gain more muscle, in my abs, but especially my arms.
I eat very well for the most part. I'm not a sweets kind of person, I can't stand cake! I do love meat, however, fruits and vegetables, i drink a lot of water, etc. . .
What I'm asking for is a routine, a schedule, a work out plan, whatever you want to call it :P Something that I can do with what I have at home. A daily schedule, a 3 days a week schedule, it doesn't matter to me. Whatever works best

I'm very motivated, I'm not the type of guy who gives up, I know I can stay in shape.
Unfortunately, the closest that I get to exercising equipment is a set of 6 pound dumbbells and one of those long stretchy elastic-like things.
I'm mainly looking for an upper body routine, but lower body would be nice too.
Starting karate again is out of the question, so please don't suggest it.
If you have something to say that i can show to my parents to convince them to get me a gym membership, I will love you.
Thanks a lot!
David

janewhite1 · 05-27-2008, 07:42 PM

You might try doing something with the equipment you have, say,

Situps or crunches (20, pause, 20, pause)
Push-ups (as many as you can do)
Some (no more than 3 sets of 10) tricep extensions and bicep curls with the dumbbells
Walking, biking or jogging to develop your leg strength and stamina

Then, when your parents have seen you doing it regularly for a few weeks, bring up the gym membership again.

Also, before you get too obsessed with the gym thing, find out if teens your age are allowed to join the gym you have in mind. Some do not permit members under age 18.

Don't go too nuts with the weight lifting while your bones are still growing.

amigoingtobeok · 05-27-2008, 08:04 PM

Are those things that i should do daily?
And. . . Apparently the bicycle is the most effective ab exercise, how many of these do you recommend doing?

janewhite1 · 05-27-2008, 09:48 PM

Every other day is probably good enough. No more than 6 days per week, certainly, and if you are sore from the last workout, don't do it again until you are unsore.

By bicycles for abs, I assume you mean lying on your back and moving your knees, rather than actually riding a bike. That's one of many very good ab exercises.

Pretty much, you exercise until the muscles burn intensely, that's what we call the good pain. If your joints hurt, or you get a sharp pain, or feel sick, then stop right away, that's the bad pain.

mod-anon · 05-27-2008, 11:47 PM

Teenagers are reminded not to post their age, per the posting rules.