[Mahalia]

I've been reading some posts about functional training. I have some good functional training moves for my legs that a physical therapist gave me.

The problem is, I cannot get motivated to do arm weights! It's so boring! I'm thinking if I could identify a couple of complex moves that work my arms, that might be better than using machines or even standard free weights.

If I did push ups, and pull ups (I'd have to do them both modified) would that be enough for overall arm strength? Does anyone have other ideas of non machine or free weight exercises I could do for full arm and shoulder strengthening?

[nelie]

Pushups and pullups are great, you can even change the form a bit to make them work different muscles. For example, hands closer together vs further away. For pullups, even switching whether your grip is overhand or underhand works a different muscle group.

[bensempress]

I'm interested in this topic also... I can't do push-ups well right now, lol and who knows if I can even do 1 pull up?!

I do use weights but I agree that they're pretty darn boring.

[WaterRat]

There are a lot of exercises you can do using the cable machine at the gym. Go to YouTube and search for arms and cable, or try stumpuous . com Just be sure that not just doing exercises for one muscle, like the bicep, and ignore the others.

Push ups and pull ups are great though. I do them modified/assisted and still get a great arm workout. I started by doing pushups against the wall, then moved down to a windowsill, and then a bench (which is where I am now). You can use a staircase in a similar fashion. I use the assisted pullup machine at the gym to do both pullups/chinups and tricep dips. I'm able to use less and less weight to assist me. Someday I'll do an unassisted pull up!

[nelie]

kettlebells are also very good for the entire body.

I do modified pushups/pullups. You can do pushups against a wall, a counter, stairs, a chair, etc. You can also do modified pullups if you can move a weight bar close to you and pull yourself up to the bar. I have an olympic bar on cables at home that I can set to whatever height and I do pullups while leaning away from it. You can use other methods at home or in the gym.

[Mahalia]

I like the idea of doing assisted push ups! I think that might be great. We have a squat machine at the gym, and I could use that to do a partial pull up. I think we also have the machine that helps you out, too.

I'm hoping that I could just to push ups and pull ups and call it a day, since I think those would get triceps and biceps and some other supporting muscles as well.

Thanks for the advice!