Would this method of doing push-ups create muscle growth instead of just toning

I know that doing push-ups regularly such as wide stance and diamond push-ups are good for toning your muscles and body. What if you put a book bag on and filled it with heavy things such as weights or thick textbooks and keep adding weight to it. Would this, instead of toning, cause your muscles to grow instead of tone?

You are on the right track. To build more muscle mass, you do 8-14 higher intensity repetitions. This group is referred to as a set. You rest 2 minutes and you repeat the set. Three sets per session is a good number. The session needs to be intense enough that your muscles ache the next day. You must rest the next day to allow the muscles to 鈥渉eal鈥?and grow. Every other day or 3 times per week.

For most people, you don鈥檛 even need to weigh down a backpack. Spread your arms , or move your hands close together to make it more difficult if desired. Or do one-handed push-ups, or "1-1/2 handed" push-ups where you use a second hand but mostly for balance - a good way to strengthen your weaker side. You don't want one side noticeably bigger than the other. For a better upper body mass building, also include chin-ups (for biceps), and pull-ups (for that V-shaped back). And add some sit-ups to shape that washboard abdominal area. Don't neglect the back, and legs, which are much harder to define, especially the shin and calves. On the "resting days", you can do a cardiovascular exercise, like run for more than 30 minutes. You would look great if you can bring your body fat down to under 10%.