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Press-ups

post #1 of 8
4/8/08 at 6:18pm
Thread Starter 
How many is too much? How many is enough? Do they define the arms or is it just good for strength building? I have been doing 100 press-ups morning and night (so, 200 a day) but see no difference - any advice?

Paolo
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http://gentrystyle.com
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post #2 of 8
4/8/08 at 6:30pm
Doing 2x100 push ups is a great way to get good at doing push ups, if you want definition then get yourself some weights instead as it will yield actual results while taking less time.
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post #3 of 8
4/8/08 at 8:09pm
Well apparently, 100 is not enough. They are good for building early basic strength, and later, good for building muscle endurance IF THAT IS YOUR GOAL. Train with specificity in mind.
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post #4 of 8
4/9/08 at 1:48am
Pushups primarily work your triceps, shoulders and chest. The further apart your hands, the more your chest works. The closer your hands, the more the shoulders/triceps work. Also moving your hands toward your neck will target your triceps more. It is the equivalent to close-grip bench press, wide-grip pressing and pressing to the neck. Only safer Try different, more difficult variations or wear a backpack with books in it to add resistance. Don't forget to do pullups to balance your your pushing/pulling strength and to create a more asthetic look.
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post #5 of 8
4/9/08 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Opermann View Post
Try different, more difficult variations or wear a backpack with books in it to add resistance.
I'll +1 this, though I would say "weight plates" instead of books. I do this sometimes for chest work because it's easier on my shoulders than bench presses, and it's hell on your core (in a good way). Load up a backpack, put your feet on a bench and start knocking 'em out.
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post #6 of 8
4/9/08 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Opermann View Post
Try different, more difficult variations or wear a backpack with books in it to add resistance. Don't forget to do pullups to balance your your pushing/pulling strength and to create a more asthetic look.

+1 to both.

As for advanced progressions, I'd recommend the planche & front lever, as discussed in this thread:
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=52714

A good discussion on this topic:
http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle....04-080-feature
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post #7 of 8
4/9/08 at 7:40pm
Good points above. Do everything you can to make pushups more difficult. And front levers and the planche are quite challenging (read: hellish. I don't think I've ever felt a stronger contraction in my core than when doing these). It'll give you something to work at.
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post #8 of 8
4/9/08 at 9:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philosoph View Post
Good points above. Do everything you can to make pushups more difficult.

And front levers and the planche are quite challenging (read: hellish. I don't think I've ever felt a stronger contraction in my core than when doing these). It'll give you something to work at.

Agreed, when I started doing these it added an extra dimension to my workouts... i.e. a new challenge to work at. Kinda gave me a renewed energy towards strength work. And yes, it is the strongest contraction I've ever felt in my core as well. But I actually felt like I was doing real work on my core for once.
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