Push-Ups, Updates & More
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I know, I love push-ups! BUT, I thought I would write about them again since they are such a great all over body move. Not only can they work your chest but also your biceps, triceps, shoulders, back & core!!! Of course by changing your hand position (narrow, wide, diamond shape, 1 hand on a weighted ball or BOSU and one hand off, on a Swiss Ball, off a bench with feet on the bench & hands on the floor & more) you can change the way the push-up hits your different muscle groups. I utilized all of the above & more when I was working to get those "man clap push-ups". Yes, I can only do 3-5 at a time BUT I am usually doing them after my full on workout. I guess I should try them first! 
I am happy with the reps I get anyway!
Another move I also used when training for those clap push-ups was a bench push-up, putting my hands on a workout bench in a push-up position, feet obviously on the floor behind me so that I am at an angle & doing a push-up with a clap in between each one. It is easier to do these clap push-ups this way. I also was able to slow down the move on the decent to make it harder. Give it a try!
I also want to share this article from Oxygen Women's Fitness on doing push-ups if your wrists hurt. Try using dumbbells as shown in the pictures above. You can read the very short article here: Dumbbell Push-Up.
Now for an update on my full body weighted pull-up or chin-up. Oh yes, I am still working towards that body weight wide grip pull-up and have not got there yet. BUT, I have managed 2 full body close reverse grip chin-ups. Yes, they are the easiest to do but hey, I was not doing them 3-4 weeks ago! The wide grip are still a ways a way but I will keep trying. I may not get there but at least I am challenging myself!
I know, I love push-ups! BUT, I thought I would write about them again since they are such a great all over body move. Not only can they work your chest but also your biceps, triceps, shoulders, back & core!!! Of course by changing your hand position (narrow, wide, diamond shape, 1 hand on a weighted ball or BOSU and one hand off, on a Swiss Ball, off a bench with feet on the bench & hands on the floor & more) you can change the way the push-up hits your different muscle groups. I utilized all of the above & more when I was working to get those "man clap push-ups". Yes, I can only do 3-5 at a time BUT I am usually doing them after my full on workout. I guess I should try them first! I am happy with the reps I get anyway!Another move I also used when training for those clap push-ups was a bench push-up, putting my hands on a workout bench in a push-up position, feet obviously on the floor behind me so that I am at an angle & doing a push-up with a clap in between each one. It is easier to do these clap push-ups this way. I also was able to slow down the move on the decent to make it harder. Give it a try!
I also want to share this article from Oxygen Women's Fitness on doing push-ups if your wrists hurt. Try using dumbbells as shown in the pictures above. You can read the very short article here: Dumbbell Push-Up.
Now for an update on my full body weighted pull-up or chin-up. Oh yes, I am still working towards that body weight wide grip pull-up and have not got there yet. BUT, I have managed 2 full body close reverse grip chin-ups. Yes, they are the easiest to do but hey, I was not doing them 3-4 weeks ago! The wide grip are still a ways a way but I will keep trying. I may not get there but at least I am challenging myself!
What have you been doing to challenge yourself either fitness or otherwise. It is not always all about fitness although people that talk to me think I think that!!!! Ya get me started & can't shut me up! Would love to hear how you are progressing in any way!
Wow! Thanks for showing me that picture and totally making me depressed for the rest of the day. She rocks, and what's more impressive is that I know you can do that too. My daughters and son are all working on increasing the number of "boy" push-ups that they can do. My daughter beat my son the other day so that's got him motivated!
By the way, my dr. gave me a cortisone shot in my knee on Monday. I'm hoping it makes me able to run again!
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Diane, don't be depressed. You can work on this with your kids! I love that your daughter his doing so well. and your son!
Hope the knee keeps getting better! That would be cool if you could jog again!
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Congrats on the pull-ups!! That's a huge accomplishment! And you'll get there on the other types - you're making great progress.
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Well, I too love push-ups, and at the beginning of boot-camp I could only do 13 (men's). Then, at the end of 18 weeks I could pump out 33 (this is timed in two minutes). I really love push-ups!!!
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Damn girl! That is really awesome Jody - keep up and you'll get there!
I am such a wuss when it comes to push ups. I have to do them the girly way (with my knees on the floor). I am hoping to build up my upper body and get to the manly men push ups!
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Amanda, try the bench push-ups. I bet you will be able to do them.. without the clap of course! Once you get them down, try a couple on the floor.
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I'm surprised as buff as you are that you can't do more pull/chin ups. I guess it's the male-female different areas of strength thing. I have a perfect pullup that I use almost every day. If you write them and tell them that you will do a review, they may send you one. Don't ask me how I know this, nor tell them I told you!
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Dr. J, I know I look stronger than I am.. I really don't lift too heavy weights. I have always built muscle pretty fast. I did follow your suggestion.. will see....
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Charlotte, thx! I keep on plugging along!
Jen, you are looking awesome! I love push-ups too! I finally rubbed off on you!
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Kudos on the chin-up progress! That's my next frontier.
My current challenge is working through the 'New Rules of Lifting for Women' stages. I'm really enjoying it. Except for the lunges. LOL
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sorry but I so hate push-ups but I know they work and I need to do them so I do..sigh...BUT different positions-great tip!
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