muscle development/lack of

blue powder

It has come to my attention that my right pectorial mucsle is noticably less developed as my left. And I have no idea how this has happened, or how to fix it. So those are my first questions, how did this happen and how do i fix it.
I masterbate with my right hand so that's out of the picture haha

I also wanted to know what sort of diet i'd have to be on to get into shape to the extent christian bale did in his movie American Psycho. I know it's a massive questoin but I was intersted as to whether anyone knew how he achieved this. I can't help but think i'd need a personal train or something like that.

http://www.moviecitynews.com/reviews/DVD/images/2005/american_psycho.jpg

That's a link to what i'm talking about.

Thanks for any advice.

leftright

go to t-nation.com and start reading, find a beginner program like Total Body Training by Chad Waterbury and start watching what you eat. As for the imbalance most of the time when you start working out they tend to go away.


or just go for his physique in the machinist

http://www.moviehabit.com/photos/machinist_150.jpg

Grimm

I have the same problem with my biceps. Right is noticeable larger then the left but i just figured that was due to being right handed. But since you said you use your right hand for certain activities, im guessing you are also right handed and would expect your right side to be more developed. Quick google search resulted with these sites that might be usefull.

http://www.ehow.com/how_16240_build-pectoral-muscles.html

http://www.womenfitness.net/pectoral.htm

http://www.howtodothings.com/health-and-fitness/a2614-how-to-do-chest-and-pectoral-exercises.html

Kewop Decam

You could be lifting improperly with the smaller arm. I have this slight problem with my calves. You just have to be really focused in all your reps.

Lanthis

I have the same exact problem. Just doing pushups in general has helped a little.

ecchi

Do lifts like rows and bench presses with dumbbells instead of a bar. Your right will catch up.

As for getting in shape like Christian Bale, you need to eat a shitload and lift heavy weights. I like Bill Starr's 5x5 but Big Boy Basics (also by Chad Waterbury, the guy leftright recommended) is also good.

I think that the Something Awful forums are viewable by non-members, so I recommend reading this thread. If you lift regularly, lift heavy, and eat a lot (actually a lot -- try keeping a rough total of your daily caloric intake in your head at the very least, and get ~2500 or higher if possible) you will see results. I definitely have.


If you're overweight as opposed to underweight, you still need to get a good number of calories, but still less than maintenance.

PirateJon

ecchi wrote:

Do lifts like rows and bench presses with dumbbells instead of a bar. Your right will catch up.

Yes.

ecchi wrote:

As for getting in shape like Christian Bale, you need to eat a shitload and lift heavy weights. I like Bill Starr's 5x5 but Big Boy Basics (also by Chad Waterbury, the guy leftright recommended) is also good.

No. that type of workout is strictly for building strength and power. It's wonderful for that, but you won't get the lean cut look the OP is after. You'll look like a typical powerlifter or football player.

What the OP doesn't know he's after is called power-building. You take the big heavy lifts of something like the 5x5 and add the high rep assistance lifts of a bodybuilder.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/powerbuild.htm

leftright

christian bale got his physique not so much from lifting weights but from his diet, if you want a six pack it's 90% diet if you want a good one.

if you're looking for overall health go with a program from t-nation, i just started TBT and the newbie gains have been ridiculous, ive gone from 125 pounds to 144 in a few months, lost fast and my lifts completley trash my old ones.

ecchi

PirateJon wrote:

No. that type of workout is strictly for building strength and power. It's wonderful for that, but you won't get the lean cut look the OP is after. You'll look like a typical powerlifter or football player.

You're right, but based on what he's asking, I don't think he has much experience lifting at all and the extra bodybuilder-esque lifts won't make much of a difference when he's just starting out.

PirateJon

christian bale got his physique not so much from lifting weights but from his diet, if you want a six pack it's 90% diet if you want a good one.

Or more. The importance of diet in any physical endeavor can't be overstated. You really are what you eat.

ecchi wrote:

You're right, but based on what he's asking, I don't think he has much experience lifting at all and the extra bodybuilder-esque lifts won't make much of a difference when he's just starting out.

Ahh.. I assumed he had been working out and created an imbalance. If he's new, then yeah that's a good step in the right direction.

OP, if you're new to lifting I highly recommend you beg borrow or buy a copy of "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe. It's the definitive introduction to the science of lifting heavy weights.
http://www.startingstrength.com/index.html

xeroismygod

You need a solid diet and a solid work out program like a lot of those mentioned here in the thread.

Personally I prefer Crossfit http://www.crossfit.com/ and mix that with regular gym work on top of fight training.

Clean protein, carbs, and fats are key.

blue powder

I do actually have experience in lifting weights, but only like sets of 50 on both arms with like 6 pound weights. Does that sound right? I don't think in that movie bale was extremely big, just really toned, that's what i'm after.

I do have a little bit of a pot belly, and i'm going to try and get rid of that by walking and eating properly.

I'm still not too clear on how to correct the inbalance of my pecs though.

trixtah

lifting six pound weights like that over and over isn't going to do much for you. Your body is probably already used to it, as well. You have to start lifting heavier. Getting rid of the gut is more of a total body workout. Shape up overall and your stomach will follow since you can't really isolate areas to target. Also, its great that you know that diet is important, just don't forget and suddenly binge on some crap junk food.