Plyometrics!

[kacie tri-ing]

Anyone do these with their strength? My coach worked some into this week's strength training, and it was really fun/tough! I am sure that it is worthwhile too!

[Veronica]

I do some with my trainer pretty much every week. We've been doing them for about ten months now and I have really see huge improvement in my ability to run up hills.

Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

I knew you would respond Do you do lower and upper body?

[Veronica]

No, we pretty much stick to lower body plyometrics. One of my training days with her is upper body and core. The other day is plyos and legs. During the summer I have the time to up it to a third day. That's fun because it's a solid hour of plyometrics.

Veronica

[Veronica]

Today we did push ups with a clap in between. They are hard because you really have to explode up to get enough time to clap. One is realtively easy, but repeating that explosion each time... is tough. I worked up to six in a row today, did 31 all together.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

Today we did push ups with a clap in between. Veronica

I'd be happy with just being able to do a pushup....

[channlluv]

My wrists ache just thinking about it. Doggone carpal tunnel.

I do plyometrics, too, though. DH bought a book called Core Performance by Lance's trainer, and we bought the rubber tubes and benches and things that are used in the program, but mostly it's all stretching and strength stuff on a mat. I saw huge improvements in my muscle tone in a very short time. I went from doing a 5-second plank to 45-second planks in about a month.

Huge, huge improvements all over, and it did a lot to improve my cycling form, too. I found it extremely effective, but I don't do the power pushups. I really do have carpal tunnel issues.

Roxy

[GLC1968]

I'd be happy with just being able to do a pushup....

Next time we get together - I'm gonna have to see proof of this. I find it hard to believe that with all your crossfit and swimming that you can't do even one. And if you can't, I'm gonna teach you how you can, damn it!

[Susan Otcenas]

I only went to Crossfit once. I enjoyed it and think I'd get way strong doing it. But zowie, it would cost alot of money to join that Crossfit facility ($200/month!) I already spend almost that much for coaching, plus my gym membership and my pool membership. I just don't think I want to add that much more to my monthly athletic expenditures!

Really really, I can't do one single boy pushup. I can do about 10 girl pushups in a row. I really want to do the 100 pushups program online, but I never seem to get around to starting.

[Susan Otcenas]

Next time we get together

Are you gonna make me drop and give you 20 at the sushi place tonight???

[GLC1968]

Are you gonna make me drop and give you 20 at the sushi place tonight???

Nope, just one.

(and you can wait until Jill's if you'd like)

[Susan Otcenas]

Today we did push ups with a clap in between. They are hard because you really have to explode up to get enough time to clap. One is realtively easy, but repeating that explosion each time... is tough. I worked up to six in a row today, did 31 all together.

Veronica

Veronica,

Were you able to do pushups before you started with your trainer? If not, what exercises did you do that you think had the biggest impact on your ability to do them?

[SadieKate]

PLANK!

And core strength in the abs and back.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/...es.asp?id=1003

(I personally prefer plank on my elbows to take stress off my wrists).

[Veronica]

Veronica,

Were you able to do push ups before you started with your trainer? If not, what exercises did you do that you think had the biggest impact on your ability to do them?

Sorry - I've always been able to do push ups. Genetics blessed me with a strong upper body. I've got curses in other places, so I'll take what I can get.

Push ups really engage everything, (I just did a couple to see.) For me plank is really more about my Core, especially my lower back, since I tend to not engage my abs right away when I'm doing it. I have to actively think about using my abs. I don't really feel plank in my chest, upper back, triceps or biceps the way I do with push ups.

Susan I'd probably concentrate on triceps, just because it's not a muscle we tend to use in our daily lives. That's why so many women have such flab on the backs of their arms. Can you do dips?

Veronica

[SadieKate]

Ah, but see, as you said, it is a matter of your personal body's strengths and weaknesses. Mine is my lower back. "Girlie" push-ups have never been a problem for me as they don't involve a strong core, just strong arms and shoulders. It takes a strong core to support keep a nice plank position as in a straight body (no sag in the back or raised butt).