A couple of questions

I'm about 6 feet tall and weigh around 160, I'm pretty skinny. I want to build up my chest and abdominal area. 

What are the best ways of doing this? I have access to a full gym at my school.

I've heard that using the machines in the gym is bad, because they do not allow for natural body movement and I should stick to free weights, is there any truth to this?

Also, pushups, how often should I do them? Should I have my feet elevated or on the ground? Should I do them until I can do anymore?

Should I take any vitamins, or things like "muscle milk"? I normally eat about 4 times a day and drink a lot of milk. Should I keep this up or cut the food intake and milk?

I'm sure I will have other questions, but I think most of them will be answered as I continue to read previous threads. Thanks in advance!

Definitely do NOT cut back on the food or milk intake. You're wanting to get thicker, which means probably eating even more than you are now. Do you have any experience with weight lifting?

Every Saint has a Past. Every Sinner has a Future.

It seems so odd to me how honesty is honestly the rarest thing upon us. Honestly, it's astonishing.

I have some knowledge of it, but never knew where to start(with weight and reps) and I didn't want to hurt anything so I've never gotten into it. Until now... 

http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/tm.aspx?high=&m=111173&mpage=1#111173

Read it. Study it. Memorize it.

Every Saint has a Past. Every Sinner has a Future.

It seems so odd to me how honesty is honestly the rarest thing upon us. Honestly, it's astonishing.

Alright, I read it. I'm working on figuring out a diet as I type, but what would be the best exercises to do to build these muscles?

In the link, it says for muscle strength and size I should wait 4-7 days between workouts. So going twice a week should be good or should I just do once a week to start?

LoL @ me about to say this...hope Linky boy doesn't see this thread :P

Anyways...look up Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. It will give you a solid, basic routine that will help bulk you up. Make sure to read up on good form on your lifts, and practice them at first until your form is perfect. And make sure your diet is tight, you're going to need to be eating clean food, and a LOT of it.

Every Saint has a Past. Every Sinner has a Future.

It seems so odd to me how honesty is honestly the rarest thing upon us. Honestly, it's astonishing.

Mar424


I'm about 6 feet tall and weigh around 160, I'm pretty skinny. I want to build up my chest and abdominal area. 

What are the best ways of doing this? I have access to a full gym at my school.

I've heard that using the machines in the gym is bad, because they do not allow for natural body movement and I should stick to free weights, is there any truth to this?

Also, pushups, how often should I do them? Should I have my feet elevated or on the ground? Should I do them until I can do anymore?

Should I take any vitamins, or things like "muscle milk"? I normally eat about 4 times a day and drink a lot of milk. Should I keep this up or cut the food intake and milk?

I'm sure I will have other questions, but I think most of them will be answered as I continue to read previous threads. Thanks in advance!

MuscleMilk and vitamins are both good.  If you're trying to get mass (muscle) eat big, try to rely more on whole foods rather then shakes.  Shakes are fine once or twice a day though.
 
Machines aren't recommended.  They provide you with a fixed ROM (Range of Motion).  The use of this ROM during machines eliminates the use of stabilizer muscles, places un-neccessary load upon the joints and gives incorrect movement patterns.
 
Overall muscle tissue stimulis is effected as the hormonal response.  Use free weights.

Is there anywhere I can read up and see the different ways to use free weights...

Machines for alot of things are bad but they have there place.. also I saw you mention you want to get chest and abs bigger..you should really work your whole body working legs acually helps upper body progression as well..

Goals by end of 2009:
Bench 205
Squat 255 ATG
Squat Clean 185

"There is no elevator to success, you must take the stairs."

Mar424


Is there anywhere I can read up and see the different ways to use free weights...

Yes. There are a few but I like this one.

Gin Rummy: Simply because you don't have evidence that something does exist does not mean you have evidence of something that doesn't exist.(from the boondocks)

I'm against machines personally, as stated above in my message.

I love machine flyes though, I do them high repetition.