Push-Up! Initial Test

[milkbone]

Hey everyone!

Can't believe the response I got - that is AWESOME!!!

We can do our initial test today or tomorrow - post your results, etc here.

Monday will be Day One. I will start a weekly thread for everyone to post their accomplishments.

:D

[malkin]

2 (modified for my safety and comfort), with my age, places me solidly in Rank 1.

[WindingRoad]

So I did 7 normal style. I really can't go all the way to the floor, is that normal?

[BikingNurse]

I did 6 "good form"

[badgercat]

Lucky 13! (regular style--but I'm wondering if it's really wise for us to even say. I don't want to set a tone where people feel like they have to "qualify" doing modified push-ups. Who gives a rat's patootie how you do them, as long as you can do more of 'em in a few weeks than you could today!)

ETA: I printed out this little one-sheet log of the whole program... there's a link to instructions to fold/cut it and it amazingly transforms into a handy little book! http://hundredpushups.com/complete.html

ETA2: then again, I guess knowing who else is modding could help folks figure out better/safer ways to do them for themselves, so... don't mind me. :rolleyes:

[GLC1968]

I'm going to let my official number be 12. We'll see if I decide to modify that down a bit after the first week. Last time, I think I pushed too hard for my test and it made the first week virtually impossible! This time I stopped as soon as my form started to degrade, so 12 should be about right.

Looking forward to increasing this number! :D

[KnottedYet]

14.

Wall push-ups, with toes 3 feet or so from wall, very slowly, with hands in fists and knuckles to the wall.

(added benefit that I'm stretching my poopy achilles tendon at the same time)

[crazycanuck]

10 for me & look forward to more swiss ball work :D

[kermit]

I did 15 before coffee! That puts me in rank three. My shoulder made an interesting noise I've never heard, I think it was screaming. This should be fun!

[arielmoon]

10 modified.

This should be interesting!

[malkin]

Don't say if you don't want to.

[Irulan]

I can do 20 non-girly ones, 100 in a pyramid set.

I've been doing functional fitness classes at my PT facility.

[skhill]

Managed to do 21 this morning. Ow! But this is a great idea-- thanks, milkbone. I've had all sorts of good intentions about working on upper body strength, but you know how it goes...

[sjane]

I did six, which was actually better than I expected. :o

I'm going to do Sun/Tues/Thurs this week, because I have my first tri on Saturday and don't want to risk being sore by doing them Friday.

[JennK13]

15 for me! DH is trying it with me - swore he'd get more than me...16 for him - though, he'll say it's because the cat was trying to get him while he did them :p

[marni]

15 for me on the initial count but then the trainer said well if you can do that many how about we push it up a bit? so I rested a minute and then did 25, followed by another rest and another 15- all good form but watching me trying to get out of my sports bra about an hour ago was pathetic. My husband had to come in and help me. I have a feeling I won't be raising my arms much this weekend.

put me down for 15 and I'll go from there.

marni

[Bike Chick]

Man, do I need this! I did 3 pitiful regular pushups so that puts me in category 1.

[sgtiger]

14 modified, using fitness ball

ETA: Bike Chick - if it makes you feel better, I can only do 1 measley pushup the regular way.

[DebSP]

I did 9 on my test.

[Irulan]

if you want to try something REALLY hard try a full body pull up. I can't even do one but I am very strong with other body stuff.

[OakLeaf]

I'd like to do the pull-up challenge, whenever they post it.

I'll have to find someplace to put a bar, but I've been thinking about that for a while now anyhow.

I've been totally neglecting pull-ups. For a while I could do five unassisted chin-ups (palms supinated), but I know I couldn't now, and I've never been able to do a real pull-up. Hopefully they'll have a girly option for those. :rolleyes::p

[navybeetle]

if you want to try something REALLY hard try a full body pull up. I can't even do one but I am very strong with other body stuff.

If you have a pull-up bar try getting on it in the already up on the bar. Don't rest your chin, you kind of constantly pull so your chin is above it. We did these in the Marines instead of pull-ups. Some of the men could not "hang" as long as the women. It is a good challenge and eventually you can hang longer. It is tough!!! I don't know why women were required to hang instead of doing pull ups but they made us stronger. just my 2 cents.

[navybeetle]

OK I tried the standard push-up that I used to do pretty well 22 years ago in the Marines... I couldn't do 1/2 a full push up today!!! BUT, I did 20 "girl" push-ups with my knees on the ground, back and neck straight, touching my nose/lips to the carpet then push-up. This was challenging for me, I could have eeeked out a few more but thought I should take it easy the first time. This might be a sissy push-up but I really felt the muscles in my arms, chest and back engaging. I think that is what it is all about!! I am feeling very motivated! Thanks for the great Idea. Let's support each other!:)

[OakLeaf]

I don't know if the challenge says you're supposed to kiss the ground, but that's really dangerous. Fist under the chest/chin.

[navybeetle]

I don't know if the challenge says you're supposed to kiss the ground, but that's really dangerous. Fist under the chest/chin.
Ha! Well, I am taking my time lowering myself to the ground so no fear of smashing my face! Kind of like resistance training with weights. The longer it takes to lower the weight (my body in the case of a push up) the more resistance, the greater the strength training. I was hurting, maybe because I do it so slow! But I like it that way, I can feel the muscles I am working and am cognizant of when it is a good time to stop for today.

[OakLeaf]

Ha! Well, I am taking my time lowering myself to the ground so no fear of smashing my face!

I didn't mean danger to your face :), I meant the rotator cuffs.

[navybeetle]

I have never done the knuckle push ups. I think my chin should touch the floor first anyway, not my nose/lips. Thanks for your concern, it is much appreciated.

[yellow]

I'd like to do the pull-up challenge, whenever they post it.

I'll have to find someplace to put a bar, but I've been thinking about that for a while now anyhow.

I've been totally neglecting pull-ups. For a while I could do five unassisted chin-ups (palms supinated), but I know I couldn't now, and I've never been able to do a real pull-up. Hopefully they'll have a girly option for those. :rolleyes::p

Girl, it's posted. You in? :D

http://twentypullups.com/

If I recall, the text says you can do them however you want (I use the non-technical terms of hands in front/hands behind). I am pathetic on the hands behind but have no problem with hands in front. Feels very odd/awkward with hands behind...that's the only way I can describe it.

Hubby built me a pull up bar in the backyard for my birthday this year. 2.5 months after surgery I could still do 6 in a row (I guess residual strength?). Now it's a struggle for me to do five. I need to get back at it.

[OakLeaf]

I gotta find/build a bar.... then I'm in. :D I don't go to the gym often enough to do 'em there.

How much harder would they be on a suspended bar, do you think, than on a stable platform? Easiest way would be for me to hang a bar from the garage joists.

It annoys me that it says right on the front page that a pull-up is defined as hands pronated, then the logo has a guy with hands supinated. :rolleyes:

[Jolt]

I just did 9 regular push-ups--would've liked to make it 10 but that just wasn't happening. I really do need to start doing some upper-body work (besides the swimming I sometimes do) but I just don't like weight lifting etc. How exactly does this whole challenge work, anyway? A pull-up challenge, as somebody already mentioned, would be another good idea.

[badgercat]

How exactly does this whole challenge work, anyway? A pull-up challenge, as somebody already mentioned, would be another good idea.

http://hundredpushups.com/

[Irulan]

I gotta find/build a bar.... then I'm in. :D I don't go to the gym often enough to do 'em there.

How much harder would they be on a suspended bar, do you think, than on a stable platform? Easiest way would be for me to hang a bar from the garage joists.

It annoys me that it says right on the front page that a pull-up is defined as hands pronated, then the logo has a guy with hands supinated. :rolleyes:


we have one on a rope leftover from when the kids were little, it has too much swing to be useful IMO

[smilingcat]

have descent cardio, good set of cycling legs but pushups??? You are kidding!!! I know my upper body needs serious training...

[katluvr]

So I did 20, maybe could of eeked out 1 or 2 more, but stopped there.
By age & ranking I am at level, not so bad. For week one this would put me on column 3...not sure I want to do column 3, I may do column 2. I think I tried column 3 last time and it was a bit to much for me.

K

[yellow]

I gotta find/build a bar.... then I'm in. :D I don't go to the gym often enough to do 'em there.
Like this (http://www.amazon.com/Joist-Mount-Chin-Up-Bar/dp/B000UAXMR8/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1281897247&sr=1-26)? (or this (http://www.amazon.com/Rafter-Mount-Chin-up-Bar/dp/B001XSH8Z8/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1281897302&sr=1-29))

[Jolt]

http://hundredpushups.com/

Thanks! I guess I'm in category 2 if I did 9 push-ups. I also saw the "200 squats" and did the initial test to see how I stacked up...I did 50, could have done a few more but was getting tired of holding my arms out, and that put me in the "excellent" range. Obviously I have some work to do to get my upper body strength to be as good as my lower body. We'll see how this goes...

[Irulan]

have descent cardio, good set of cycling legs but pushups??? You are kidding!!! I know my upper body needs serious training...

I had to do it,my goal was to be able to rack my #34 mountain bike without dropping it on my head.

[KnottedYet]

I was in the "excellent" category for the Two Hundred Squats, too... yet can't even do one proper form pushup.

Uh, yeah.... bicycle much, Knot? :rolleyes:

[katluvr]

So I haven't done my test for the 200 squat yet, but my co-worker did...she did all 200 already! :eek:
But only 4 push-ups.
I did 20 push-ups, guess I need to do my "squat test"
I think I would be bored doing 200 squats at once!

K

[NbyNW]

I got as far as 8, and then I lost count because DH decided to start talking to me and I couldn't listen and count at the same time. And I was too tired to start over! But I think I'm going with column 2 this week.

[WindingRoad]

I'm in column 2 (6 - 10) and I did all 5 sets with maxing out at 5 on the last set.:)

[DebSP]

I am also in column 2 and did all sets and maxed out at 6 on the final.:)

[badgercat]

Column 3 and I managed one more than the "at least" for the max at the end--10!

I signed up for http://www.pushupslogger.com... here i am (http://www.pushupslogger.com/plog/show_user/119230)!

[KnottedYet]

I bought the "Hundred Pushups" and "Two Hundred Squats" apps.

Each cheaper than a full sized bar of chocolate.

They keep me organized and give me instant gratification. Both very important motivators in my little universe. :p

[sjane]

I tested into column two, just barely, but decided to go with column one. Maxed out at five in the last set.

[malkin]

*icing my L shoulder after day one*

How pathetic is that?! I have a feeling this may end up taking me more like 6 months than 6 weeks. I guess I'm really not in any hurry.

[katluvr]

Week 1, day 1, column 3:
Completed, did 1 more than the max in last set so the total was 46. Column 3 is hard, wonder how long before I drop to column 2.
K

[KnottedYet]

I looooooove the iPod apps for this!

Doing pushups and squats on alternate days.

[katluvr]

Wish there was an android app. Think I'll start the squat plan next week. Have a few target training runs I don't want to interfer with by being sore
K

[Jolt]

Week 1, day 2, column 2. Maxed out at 9 on the last set.

[sjane]

W1D2, column 1, did 7 on the last set.

[WindingRoad]

Week 1, Column 2, maxed out at 9 on last set :eek: Gonna hurt tomorrow!

[GLC1968]

I'm starting next week. I totally forgot on Monday and then the week got away from me! It'll fit my plans if I start next week much better anyway.

I'm supposed to start in column 3, but I remember that being really hard last time. I reserve the right to move to column 2 if I need to!

[DebSP]

Week 1, day 2, 10 on the final set (my son said to aim for 12!)

[katluvr]

W1,D2, column 3, DONE, WHEW! Not sure how much longer before I drop to column 3.
Did my squat test. Stopped at 100, didn't want to be sore for Saturday's 5 mile run.
K

[badgercat]

W1, D2, column 3, maxed at 13. :)

[marni]

wk2 d 2 maxed at 20- plan to work on squats next.

trainer complimented me on my abs today and seemed blown away that I can actually hold a one legged plank for 90 seconds on each leg . His comment' WOW, at your age, that's really impressive.

sigh.......

[DebSP]

Week 1, Day 3 complete. Maxed out at 10. Scared to think about next week!

[WindingRoad]

Week 1, Column 2, Day 3, Maxed out at 13. Is this supposed to be getting easier, cuz it ain't.:cool:

[marni]

week 2 day 3 column 3 max 22 whoo hoo 83 total-go me! even my trainer is pleased