CyclePUPs Week 2

[OakLeaf]

I only did 13 in my exertion test I think I'll either repeat week 2 (which didn't seem hard enough to me) or do knee-style pups for week 3 and then repeat week 3 with full pups.

I think if your ultimate goal is to do as many full-length pups as you can, you're better off not switching to nothing but knee pups for a whole week. But if your goal is to get to 100 of whatever type of pups you can do, then knee pups are fine. Whichever you choose, you're getting stronger.

Two things to think about:

(1) make sure you're really maxing out in your last set every workout (I only mention this because you said week 2 seemed too easy), and

(2) for everyone in group 1, and probably some in group 2, if you want to do a combination of knee pups and full-length ones to continue adding reps, then try step-down sets. Each workout, do the first two or three sets full-length, and the rest on your knees. Or, each set, do the first 75% of the reps full-length, and the rest on your knees. Then you can either move on to the next week the same way, or repeat the week doing all the reps, or more of them, full-length.

It is difficult to add on when you're starting from sets of fewer than 8-10, just because each rep takes such a high percentage of your strength. You're strong enough to do something else to bring you along, but not another full rep. That's where step-down sets can help.

Week 2 to week 3 is a big jump, and it's going to be tough. That's a lot of the way the plan works - consolidate your gains in week 2, to get your body ready to go to the next level in week 3. Now's probably a good time for all of us to start thinking about exactly what our ultimate goal is in this plan (if we haven't already) and what type of pups will be the best way to get there.

[Kvixen23]

I was only able to do 16....

This puts me in column 1. I looked at this week, week 3, I'm scared!!! Is anyone else feeling a little apprehensive about moving forward?? I'm going to give it my all......

OakLeaf - Thanks for the tips on backing down a little.

My goal in participating in this sometimes excruciatingly painful experience is just to say I did it. I don't feel like I have to complete it or be the best at it. I just needed a new motivator to continue working out since I haven't been motivated to go to the gym and lift weights lately. I'm sure with the days becoming shorter and the weather getting colder that I will head back inside for my workouts. The PUPS are a quick albeit challenging way for me to get in some upper body strengthening workouts.

[Becky]

(1) make sure you're really maxing out in your last set every workout (I only mention this because you said week 2 seemed too easy), and

(2) for everyone in group 1, and probably some in group 2, if you want to do a combination of knee pups and full-length ones to continue adding reps, then try step-down sets. Each workout, do the first two or three sets full-length, and the rest on your knees. Or, each set, do the first 75% of the reps full-length, and the rest on your knees. Then you can either move on to the next week the same way, or repeat the week doing all the reps, or more of them, full-length.

It is difficult to add on when you're starting from sets of fewer than 8-10, just because each rep takes such a high percentage of your strength. You're strong enough to do something else to bring you along, but not another full rep. That's where step-down sets can help.

Week 2 to week 3 is a big jump, and it's going to be tough. That's a lot of the way the plan works - consolidate your gains in week 2, to get your body ready to go to the next level in week 3. Now's probably a good time for all of us to start thinking about exactly what our ultimate goal is in this plan (if we haven't already) and what type of pups will be the best way to get there.

Really good point about maxing out. I don't think I was doing that early on, as I discovered when I did my test last night and found out what exhaustion really felt like. Would it be crazy to move on to week 3 and hope that my strength catches up enough to pull it off (maybe do step-down sets)? Or should I repeat week 2 and work harder?

[Flur]

Wow, week 3 is HARD! I had to take a few breaths in the middle of the sets for all the sets except the first, and I did the last set in groups of 5 with one breath rests in down dog. I hope that still counts In any case, I'm sure I'm still getting stronger b/c I feel maxed out and will probably be sore tomorrow.

[jobob]

I think I wrenched my shoulder a bit on Saturday lugging stuff around at the W2W rest stop, and I didn't help it riding up Mt Tam yesterday.

It's not bad, but just not up to massive numbers of pushups - or, at least, the paltry number I'd be capable of doing on a good day

So I'm going to give it a rest. Have fun, gang!

[OakLeaf]

Would it be crazy to move on to week 3 and hope that my strength catches up enough to pull it off (maybe do step-down sets)? Or should I repeat week 2 and work harder?

I don't really have an intelligent answer for that (maybe someone else does)? My inclination would be to repeat week 2, but do column 2. So you're still moving up, but not by as much.

[yellow]

OK, start reporting week 3 PUPs on the week 3 thread!

[Jones]

I wasn't going down far enough doing full length pups so have switched to knee style but will be staying in column 1. I just tried column 1 week 3 and couldn't get to "at least 15 max," I fell flat on my face after ten. This is such a challenge and yet still fun. I love it. Jones

[yellow]

This is such a challenge and yet still fun. I love it.

I feel the same way. In a sick way, I kind of look forward to it!

[NoNo]

Initially, I don't think I was going down far enough, either. But last night I realized that my chin was darn-near the floor! It's working! I don't care if I have to repeat week 2 20 times, at least I'm seeing progress and that makes me happy.

[kelownagirl]

Have you seen this? Steve has created an online "logger" now.

http://www.cymru66.com/fitness/hundred-push-ups-logger/