One hundred push ups

[Kvixen23]

Okay, so I just did the test.....i'm still shaky

I managed 11 but almost fell flat on my face after that.....

So, I'm going to start out following the guidelines for column #2. I can't wait to see the changes

[Flybye]

Okay, I will try this insane test. Next week though.
I can't start tomorrow because at 6:00 am DH and I are leaving to hike down this SUPER steep canyon to fish. At one point we have to tie a rope on a tree and use the rope to help us down.
Once down the canyon, the only way to the good fishing spots (and MAN is the fishing GREAT) is to hike the river upstream - no trails on the banks. So, after I have rubber legs from hiking down the canyon, I'll be trudging against the current in knee to waist deep water and crawling up over thigh high boulders for about a mile. Then we get the pleasure of walking down the river and hiking OUT. Last time we were 3/4 of the way out of the canyon and I started to cry. Hiked like a girl, yes I did.
After the last hike, DH and I had to go down stairs backward because our quads were so sore. For days I tell you, DAYS!
That's quite the lengthy excuse, I know. I just don't think it would be wise to start tomorrow off with push ups.
That's my story and I am sticking to it.
Thanks Yellow. I think!

[SadieKate]

Careful, Fall River eats boats, too. Ask the Hyde folks after I told them that having parts of a Hyde drift boat pinned to a rock for years was not a good advertisement.

[spindizzy]

I'm in. Start tomorrow. Labor day here in Canada. I'm sure it will be laborius!

[aka_kim]

Since "alternative" push ups are allowed (in my case with dumbbells and a fitness ball), I'm in.

[ibcycling]

I'm in and will start tomorrow (well, probably Tuesday since I need to do the initial test today). I could use some core and upper body strength!

Lora

[Blueberry]

Wall push ups. Seriously.

Any good resources on technique?? I tried what I thought was correct, and didn't really feel any resistance. I'm also doing light arm weights - but I don't think that will be enough to seriously help the lack of push up ability.

CA

[SadieKate]

Did you read this? I like Kim's idea of a fitness ball also. I have to protect my shoulder but I know some kind of pushups will help.

http://www.hundredpushups.com/what.html

[sundial]

[QUOTE=Flybye;357207...the only way to the good fishing spots (and MAN is the fishing GREAT) is to hike the river upstream - no trails on the banks... [/QUOTE]

OK, but wear your life jacket. Don't want to see you floatin' away.

[Blueberry]

Did you read this? I like Kim's idea of a fitness ball also. I have to protect my shoulder but I know some kind of pushups will help.

http://www.hundredpushups.com/what.html

Yep. I need to do some searching on the fitness ball style - that could be the way to go for me (until I build up strength).

CA

[snapdragen]

Any good resources on technique?? I tried what I thought was correct, and didn't really feel any resistance. I'm also doing light arm weights - but I don't think that will be enough to seriously help the lack of push up ability.

CA

From SparkPeople.com:

Starting Position
Start facing wall, arms length away, feet slightly apart, legs straight (but knees not locked). Place hands onto wall, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

Action
EXHALE: Keeping head in neutral position, bend elbows to lower head/chest toward wall, coming as close as you can to it but not touching it.

INHALE: Straighten arms and return to starting position for one rep.

Special Instructions
The further your feet are away from the wall, the more difficult this exercise will be. Also be sure not to lock knees or elbows.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/...p?exercise=107

[SouthernBelle]

Reporting in.

I started this morning! I'm so pathetic.

Question: I'm right-handed so my right arm is stronger than my left. I find my weight migrating over my right arm. I can't seem to prevent this. Do you think time will cure it? Should I think about something extra on an off-day, maybe a one-armed wall push up for the left??

[kelownagirl]

I met the guy who created this website on Twitter and started doing the pushups at the end of July. Got t the 3rd week around my tri date and then quit for awhile. I'm going to start again at week 2 now I think.

Interesting tidbit - Steve was recently approached to do a book on the idea. He's negotiating with them right now.

[OakLeaf]

Any good resources on technique?? I tried what I thought was correct, and didn't really feel any resistance. I'm also doing light arm weights - but I don't think that will be enough to seriously help the lack of push up ability.

As Snap said, try standing farther away from the wall. Because your body will actually be moving in an arc, be sure you place your hands where they will be under your shoulders when you're closest to the wall, not when you're standing up to begin the movement. Don't bring your shoulders closer to the wall than your elbows.

Most of the form tips for wall push-ups are the same as for doing them horizontally. Practice plank position - with a mirror or an observer - to strengthen your core and get the idea of how your body should feel while doing push-ups.

You can also do push-ups with your legs on a stability ball. This gives you the ability to micro-adjust your fulcrum and gradually roll out to a longer lever as you get stronger. Again, as with any type of decline push-up, don't bring your shoulders below your elbow level (unless you've been cleared to do that by a PT or a qualified trainer, and you can do it without pain or instability in your shoulders).

Of course the weight work will help, as long as you keep increasing the weights. The main difference between bench presses and push-ups is the secondary muscles that get used (more central core in push-ups, more shoulder stabilizers and obliques in bench presses, particularly dumbbell presses) - the load on the triceps and pecs is very similar. There's a slight difference because of the way your body becomes the radius of an arc during a push-up, so a mix of regular and decline bench presses would be the best simulation.

I use small dumbbells so I can keep my wrists fairly straight during push ups. I figure that riding plus computers has given me a fairly significant case of carpal tunnel. Bending the wrist back (as in normal push ups) is tough on the nerves.

That works, or with a lesser case of weak wrists, try splaying your fingers out and using your whole hands to distribute the weight, rather than putting it all in the heel of your hand.


Geez, I'm hanging around this thread so much I apparently have a secret desire to do the program Okay, okay, provided I don't go through with the surgery (which I'm making a final decision later this week after talking to a couple more people), I'm in. Start tomorrow

[jobob]

Geez, I'm hanging around this thread so much I apparently have a secret desire to do the program

You're doing very nicely as our coach.

(And best wishes on the surgery decision.)