What is the Single Best Upper Body Exercise?

[furo]

What do you think? If you could only do one upper body exercise regularly, what would it be? I only put a few popular options in the poll.

 

[rjmaiorano]

Pull-up. Then bench. Then bent over rows.

 

[furo]

Yeah I also forgot to add the dead lift as an option

And the pushup/row, which is sometimes called the "man-maker." This one is where you do a regular pushup, but you're holding dumbbells and executing a one-armed row each time you come up, alternating arms

 

[dcg]

Press (standing) should be mentioned. Don't really thing of Burpees or Deadlifts as upper body, even though the upper body is used for both.

 

[furo]

Yes the overhead barbell press while standing was also not on the poll. Do you think that is the single best?

 

[TintoTerra]

Pullups are the best for me at this time.

Having said that, there is no single 'best' upper (or lower) body exercise, because there are too many variables to consider. Where are you in your training? Which muscles do you need to work on?
It's an ever-evolving process and your body becomes accustomed to any exercise you do too often.

 

[Dashaansafin]

I think pullups are. You have to do them with your abs flexed and you legs straight out so you work out most of your upper body. Works for me. But currently the house I live in doesn't support my pullup bar

 

[dcg]

Originally Posted by furo

Yes the overhead barbell press while standing was also not on the poll. Do you think that is the single best?

I wouldn't say I have sufficient lifting experience to where anyone should pay much attention to my opinion, but I think at the very least you'd need a pushing movement and a pulling movement. I like the press and the pull up.

 

[Cool The Kid]

There's no one movement that captures everything

Its all about balance... if u pull u gotta push etc.

Deadlifts are a great lift though

 

[Scrumhalf]

Hard to pick one. Kinda like asking which is the best tool - the screw driver, the drill or the hammer. Each one has its specific use. But if you want to pick a couple, I would pick the pushup and the pullup. The pushup has endless variations - wide, diamond, lalanne, feet up, pike, tiger, handstand, etc...to hit every muscle in the chest and shoulders. I can't think of a better lat exercise than the pullup. Couple these with crunches and you have the entire upper body, without any gym equipment to boot.

 

[Lagrangian]

Voted for pullups, although pullups + pushups are so basic, yet so very very effective.

P.S. whatever your preference here is, I can pretty much say the best exercise will not be the bb bench press.

 

[furo]

Originally Posted by TintoTerra

evolving process and your body becomes accustomed to any exercise you do too often.

that's true. but for whatever reason, pullups seem to be the only exercise that no matter how many I do, the next day or two I always feel it

 

[bbaquiran]

Bicep curls.

 

[virus646]

Originally Posted by bbaquiran

Bicep curls.

Do them in a squat rack for maximum efficiency.

 

[bbaquiran]

Actually I'm torn between heavy push presses (which I seldom do) and side presses (which I will attempt soon).