Ok, so I lift out of my apartment using dumbbells. For chest I do push-ups and inclined dumbbell presses. I know that push-ups won't do much for building mass, but that is what I would like to achieve. Currently I do 5 sets of 20 reps. For the past 2 chest workouts, I did 2 sets of 30 reps and 25 on the last set cuz it was tough. My question is, what do you think would be better for building mass and strength, doing more sets for less reps or higher reps for less sets ??
Also, does anybody have any other suggestions for chest exercises that I could try.
I also try to do 100 pushups on chest day, but I couldn't give you anymore exercises with dumbells other than the good ol' incline/decline/flat. Doing both presses and flys would help, but I couldn't tell you the difference between the two.
100 pushups is not going to do anything but give you a pump. You will not grow while doing 25-30 reps per set.
I always grew with over-emphasis on very slow movements (where applicable), try to do a 3x0x4-5 cadence. My biggest growth came from modifying German Volume Training (GVT) along with heavy sumo deads and squatting. For the record, do not do slow cadence deadlifts. That is just setting yourself up for injury.
Again, that is for growth, not strength(except for the deads). Everyone is different.
heavy weight is going to give you mass..lighter weight and more reps is gonna give you definition. just don't overdo it. make sure you're allowing yourself enough recovery time between heavy days and you want to struggle for the last few reps of the last set(s) for each exercise. i gotta get back into lifting myself...once i stopped, i must've lost 20 pounds in 2 months....but i'm small with a high metabolic rate so the cannibalization doesn't take very long at all
Start with flat bench - pyramid up / 6 sets maybe
Decline bench - the same
flat bench dumb bell press - 4 sets
flies - 4 sets
Do them heavy enough to need a spot and your chest will grow as long as you feed the muscle! Sleep, thats when you grow! If you have any doubts, I have my pics.
G