Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

  • Home

Work It Out: Chest & Biceps

March 12, 2013 By Laura

Chest and Bicep day is my favorite.

 

My trainer says this means I’m like a guy.  Whatever.

A few weeks ago I posted about working out away from home.  I am a consultant, which means I travel a fairly often.  You guys have seen they way I pack days and days of meals for the road.  It takes effort, but it – like most things – becomes habit and gets SO much easier.

sprint2table-workitout-BLUE

Workouts are a little harder.  It is a habit, but you never know what the hotel gym situation will be.  In my last post, I talked about learning to be flexibly inflexible.  My daily workout is a habit – one that I am inflexible about breaking.

Flexibility is also important.  Those hotel gyms are 95% of the time pretty sparse.  I have to be able to change my planned workout to fit the situation.

Habit

The previous hotel workout was a back and tricep day re-created in a gym equip only with free weights, a bench, and a stability ball.but got a few requests for the chest and bicep workout. Ask and you shall receive! 🙂

Simple to do with minimal equipment, the following workout was done in that same small hotel gym.

________________________________________________________________________________________

For each exercise, do 3 sets of 10-12 reps.  If you are lifting heavy, do 4 sets of 6-10 reps.   Click the links below for a written explanation of each move.

If you realllly want to shake it up and shock your body, do what I’m doing right now: 5 sets of 12.  You.  Will.  Die.  (Please don’t do this if you aren’t already lifting a lot – no need to actually die.) 😉

Chest & Biceps

 

Chest

Flat Bench Press

Bench Press with dumbbells

 

Incline Bench Press with a twist

As you press up, twist the wrist so that at the top of the movement the palms are facing away from the body.  If this causes discomfort, simply leave the twist out.

Incline Bench Press with a twist

 

Decline Bench Press

Decline Bench Press female

 

Stability Ball Pullovers…

…superset with push ups

Stability ball pullovers

Biceps

Prone Incline Curls

These can also be done over a stability ball.

Prone Curls incline bench

 

Alternating Bicep Curls

If you aren’t doing these with heavy weight, try them while standing on one leg for an added challenge.

Alternating bicep curl female

 

Hammer Curls

To change it up, try doing these as alternating curls, or cross-body.

Hammer curls female

 

Reverse Curls

Reverse Curls female

 

***As usual, here’s the disclaimer: I’m not a certified professional anything.  Be smart.  Don’t hurt yourself.  Don’t expect to have Jamie Eason arms the day after.  I work out all the time and I still don’t have her arms.  Dammit.**

***

Yesterday I did a back and tricep day.  Every back exercise was superset with horizontal pull ups.  By the end I’d done 240 of them.  I’m surprised I’m able to type right now.  LOL!

Did anyone try a new supplement after last week’s post?

Have you ever combined Chest and Biceps?  I know it’s more traditional to do Back and Bis, but I’m loving this method!

 

Filed Under: Fitness, Travel, Weights Tagged With: biceps, chest, figure competition, work it out, workout

« Microwave Protein Carrot Cake
Quick Breakfast Bread Pudding + WIAW »

Comments

  1. Lisa says

    March 12, 2013 at 12:12 AM

    Oh man, did you know I needed this! Chest and biceps are what I have the HARDEST time working out. I’m guessing it’s because they’re my weakest muscles, so I just completely avoid them. Well not completely, but I despise working them;)

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:29 AM

      The good thing is that they are often the easy to build! A little consistency and they won’t be SO dreaded. 🙂

  2. Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says

    March 12, 2013 at 12:38 AM

    First, I just have to say that I love your disclaimer. haha. Second, I love working upper body, mainly because I see result there so much faster than my lower body which is just stubborn. I don’t think that I’ve done Chest and Biceps before. Looking forward to this workout!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:31 AM

      I have the same problem – my lower refuses to catch up! I’m working on it though…

  3. Julie says

    March 12, 2013 at 1:12 AM

    This is a great post. I love all the images.

  4. Tara @ Sweat like a Pig says

    March 12, 2013 at 5:39 AM

    240 pull ups?! Hot damn! Chest day is my least favourite, mostly because bench is my weakest lift.

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:33 AM

      NOT in a row, thankfully. 🙂

  5. Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says

    March 12, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    I really want to try this workout, so I hope I remember to revisit this soon. Thanks for posting!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:33 AM

      Please let me know what you think! It’s a fun way to shake things up.

  6. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says

    March 12, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    Definitely have to remember this workout! I don’t think I usually combine chest and biceps though. It would make chest days more bearable for me though – I don’t mind biceps but chest days are my least favourite. That probably has something to do with the fact that I’ve been plateaued on my chest press for god knows how long.

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:40 AM

      Haha – that’s why I used to like back and bis. I hated back but bis were my “treat.” Trying a new combo may help you bust through that plateau!

  7. lindsay says

    March 12, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    i thought it was chest and tris then back and bi’s? Uh oh, i need to get caught up on my workout lingo. Either way, i love BICEPS!!! They hurt so good. I always want bigger guns. No joke. But those preacher curls or 21’s get me EVERY FREAKIN TIME

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:42 AM

      It’s the push/pull method. I like it because it’s eaier on the joints since you’re not doing ALL pulling or all pushing.

  8. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    March 12, 2013 at 8:12 AM

    5 sets of 12?! holy cow!!!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:50 AM

      Yeah… it’s a little exhausting.

  9. Lee says

    March 12, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    I think you do have Jamie Eason arms! I like having all these workouts that I can do during my lunch break, even though I’m at a full gym and not on the road. Short and sweet!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:52 AM

      Far from it, but thank you SO much!

      Let me know what you think of this one!

  10. Kierston @candyfit says

    March 12, 2013 at 8:16 AM

    I have mixed the two together…Although, that’s not my usual routing! Sometimes, you just gotta be flexible 🙂

    I’ve never done decline presses. The angle almost scares lol

    I’ve seen my fair share of hotel gyms too…some are sooooo shady!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:59 AM

      I really like it! I fnd I’m able to move more weight this way.

      Delines are my #1 favorite chest exercise! You have to let me know if you ever try it – they aren’t as scary as they seem. 🙂

  11. Michelle @ Eat Move Balance says

    March 12, 2013 at 8:21 AM

    What do you mean I won’t have arms like Jamie’s after a week?!? Darn it. 🙂

    Love some of these moves. Again, it’s always nice to see ideas different than what I’m already doing–I tend to get stuck in ruts with the same exercises over and over. I’ve never tried the prone incline curls–that’s going to be my first addition!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 8:59 AM

      LOL! Maybe if you do the prones… 😉

  12. Jody - Fit at 55 says

    March 12, 2013 at 8:45 AM

    GOT TO LOVE IT!!! I love the twist press – I don’t do it often enough! Thx for the reminder

    I LOVE prone curls & all kinds of hammer curls & well.. lifting in general! 😉

    I had a surprise for you with the stability ball & cables today for chest but you probably already do it. :)!

    Love your workouts!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 9:09 AM

      I was suprised and how hard the twist got!

      I’m trying the stability ball thing today!!! I had them as supersets, so I’m just going to put a little Jody-twist on it. 😉

  13. Heather (Where's the Beach) says

    March 12, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    Yep, I’ve combined chest and biceps. I’ll combine anything LOL. I actually can’t work chest right now and that sort of sucks thinking about it from imbalances. That decline press always made me so nervous.

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 9:21 AM

      Kierston said the same thing about the decline! I’ve never been nervous… maybe I should be. LOL!

  14. RavieNomNoms says

    March 12, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    I am so going to use some of your routines now. I need to get in shape for the wedding now! I have a year and a half…I think I can do it 😉

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 9:28 AM

      Easy! You’ll be way ahead of schedule! 🙂

  15. Holly says

    March 12, 2013 at 12:07 PM

    Hmmm. Maybe I’ll add a few of the incline and decline bench presses to my routine, if I can find something to use as an incline in my house. And I’m going to look at your back workout too. I need to strengthen that whole general area now that I’m standing all day and carrying massive pots of cream and water everywhere.

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 9:35 AM

      Do you have a stability ball? That can be used as an incline!

      I bet your back does hurt! Make sure you have some good shoes, too. 🙂

  16. Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness says

    March 12, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    I love the pictures to go along with the descriptions of exercises. I am still really new to weight training and find it can be hard to know if you are doing an exercise correctly.

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 9:35 AM

      Great! Let me know if you have any questions. 🙂

  17. Carol @ Lucky Zucca says

    March 12, 2013 at 2:25 PM

    OK maybe you don’t have her arms but only because yours are better!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 9:36 AM

      Carol! You are crazy. Thank you. 🙂

  18. GiGi Eats Celebrities says

    March 12, 2013 at 4:06 PM

    Just looking at these pictures makes me pecs sore! I need a massage! LOL!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 9:40 AM

      Me. Too. 😉

  19. Heather @ Better With Veggies says

    March 12, 2013 at 7:53 PM

    Can I ask a dumb question? I have always done Chest & Tris, and Back & Bis together – but you do them differently. Is there logic to the grouping? If you’ve already done a post about this that I’m forgetting, sorry! 🙂

    • Your Trainer says

      March 13, 2013 at 1:28 AM

      It’s called a push/pull method. This way, you’re not over exerting the tendons and ligaments from basically doing a continual pulling (back/bis) or pushing (chest/tris). My certification is through the IAFS which was founded by 8X Mr. Olympia Lee Haney (one more than Arnold). He really believes in this method and if you see his pics, you’ll understand that when he talks about building your body, people listen.

      • Heather @ Better With Veggies says

        March 13, 2013 at 9:12 AM

        That make sense – thank you for the explanation!

      • Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says

        March 15, 2013 at 3:21 AM

        I have always wondered that myself! Wow, thanks for the explanation…that makes SO much sense!! 😀

        • Laura says

          March 15, 2013 at 12:09 PM

          I really want to do reader a Q&A video with Steve (my trainer). If you think of any random Q’s, let me know!!!

  20. Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says

    March 12, 2013 at 9:06 PM

    Definitely doing this workout! Love it!

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 9:40 AM

      Thanks, Brittany! Let me know what you think!

  21. Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says

    March 13, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    You will be so proud of me because I actually did print out the back and tri workout you posted before. I printed it out, and then I took it out of school….and then I left it in the car. I then tried to pull it up on my phone, but got very confused since I don’t know a lot of the terminology…and then I gave up.

    However, this is just all the more reason I need you to come teach me how to do all of these things so I can do them on my own.

    Or I’ll just stick with my new yoga obsession and hope that tones me.

    • Laura says

      March 13, 2013 at 1:41 PM

      Oh no! Did the pics and links not help? Tell me how I can make it easier, becasue I’m sure tohers fell the same way. 🙂

      Yoga is good… but it won’t do what weights can. We’ll do a crash course at Blend!!!

      • Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says

        March 15, 2013 at 3:20 AM

        Oh my god, YES!!!! Make us all Buff Blend-ers! 😉

  22. Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says

    March 15, 2013 at 3:19 AM

    Ok, I’ve been fine with reading all of your WIO posts for the last couple of weeks, but this one is KILLING ME!! Chest and bicep days are my FAVORITE! And IF I could actually friggin’ walk right now…which also means I could drive…TO THE GYM…I would SO be doing this tomorrow! Incline presses with a twist? Stability ball pullovers? Prone incline curls??! Waaaaaaaaaaah!!!

    By the way, let it be known that even though I totally flaked out the second week into week 2 of the Live Fit Trainer, I forever owe a debt of gratitude to bodybuilding.com’s storehouse of workout videos/pictures! I got SO many new ideas for moves/variations…especially for my biceps! My…biceps…which are currently the ONLY muscle on my body not turning to mush! Guess there’s ONE good thing about these mother effin’ crutches! …I’m not bitter…not in the slightest! 😉

    PS, holy shit balls! I can only do like FIVE horizontal pull ups! …ok, more like 4 and a quarter! Lol

    • Laura says

      March 15, 2013 at 12:20 PM

      You’ll be able to do these again soon though! And MORE with your shiny newly fixed knee. 🙂

      Cruches are good for the tris… and the armpits. You know, because we all need strong pitts…

Trackbacks

  1. It’s not all r&r over here… | Love, Sweat, and Beers says:
    April 2, 2013 at 6:13 AM

    […] Laura’s Workout (check out her page for the details) […]

  2. Work It Out: Post-Augmentation Exercises | Sprint 2 the Table says:
    July 10, 2013 at 12:23 AM

    […] Hammer Curls […]

  3. Killer Upper Body Superset Workout | Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    November 10, 2015 at 10:23 AM

    […] Biceps Hammer Curls […]

Follow Me!

instagram_b facebook_b twitter_bpinterest_b
rss_a email_ayoutube_b googlep_b

Food lover. Constant Wine-r. Gym Rat. More is more.

[instagram-feed]
logo
Food Advertising by
logo
Food Advertising by

Follow Me!

instagram_b facebook_b twitter_bpinterest_b
rss_a email_ayoutube_b googlep_b

Popular Posts

Home | About Me | Privacy Policy | Fitness | Recipes | Training & Nutrition

Affiliate Links: This site is monetized through the use of affiliate links. This means that if you were to make a purchase through one of these links, Sprint 2 the Table would receive a small percentage of the sale price. Thanks for your support!

Copyright © 2014 Sprint 2 the Table | Designed by Murnan Creative