Big Grizzle hates Push ups!

Big Grizzle · 08-02-2006, 03:11 PM

I started doing Muay Thai last September as a way to get in shape. That first class hurt.....it hurt bad. But that's what you get for eating junk food and playing Playstation as if it was a religion for 7 years. Before I started I was 16 stone(224lbs) and seriously out of shape. I have slimmed down considerably to just under 15 stone(209lbs.).

I have made drastic improvements in my overall fitness. But there is one thing I struggle with Push Ups. I do 10 in the time it takes an average person to do 20. Then I need a rest before I can do more. It is really starting to piss me off in class. I'm probably being paranoid, but I can feel the disapproving eyes when I'm training.

It really bugs the hell out of me. I know it's just my pride. But fuck that pride is important. I want to be able to do those one arm pressups Sly does in Rocky(I'd settle for 20 in a row and really quickly TBH.) Instead I'm the guy that struggles really badly.

How can I do this? What do I need to do? Why can't they just be squats? I can do more of them than the average Joe Bloggs. Help Grizzle overcome this minor setback so I can get that belt off of Tim Sylvia.

tical13 · 08-02-2006, 03:24 PM

Lose more weight.. Do more pushups.. Stop being a pansy..

Clint07 · 08-02-2006, 03:26 PM

Honeslty the best way to do more pushups is to do pushups. Try some density training (I just learned this from one of Urbans posts).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban

Density training is using 2xyour rep goal to determine the volume you'll do on an exercise each session you do it. I want to do 20 pullups, so each session I'll do 40. you progress from smaller sets (40 x 1) to larger ones (1x20) as you can. I'll be starting at 8 sets of 5 with about a minute rest in between. Over time, because the workload of each set takes longer and longer (as the sets get bigger) and the rest periods do not change, your body adapts to the greater volume. for a goal of 12 reps the levels might go like this:
24 x 1
12 x 2
8 x 3
6 x 4
5 x 5
4 x 6
3 x 8
1-2 x 12 (your goal)

Move up a level the following week if you found this weeks level to be too easy.

Do this 3 times a week and move up a step when you find your current step easy. Since you want to do 20, your levels would be something like this:
8x5
5x8
4x10
3x13
1-2x20

LegRider505 · 08-02-2006, 05:21 PM

Just suck up your pride and keep doing them. I personally love push ups, they might possibly be my favorite exercise.

Evergrey · 08-02-2006, 05:38 PM

I would reccomend you try pyramid workouts to improve your pushups. What your workout would like if you did a pyramid would be:

1 pushup
rest 5 seconds
2 pushups
rest 5 seconds
3 pushups
rest 5 seconds
etc...

Do this up to 10 and back down. If you can do this, you will have done 100 pushups. Repeat if you want, or just add more steps. Try it!!

duckbillstyle · 08-02-2006, 09:37 PM

Take it easy if you're weak at pushups and don't push yourself too hard because if you do be prepared to feel the most painful chest sore you've ever felt which could last for days. You can't force your body to do something it's not used to doing instantly. It takes time and the effort to progress at a pace your comfortable with.

Rudy Richter · 08-02-2006, 10:53 PM

Try to change the angle on your arms as you get tired.... when you bring the elbows closer to the body you use more triceps, and when the arms are at90 degree angle from the body it's mostly chest. Start with opne and change the angle. This way you will be able to do more and get stronger quicker.

Big Grizzle · 08-03-2006, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tical13

Lose more weight.. Do more pushups.. Stop being a pansy..

That is some pretty good advice.

Thanks for the replies people. So in short I need to do more. Bugger. I have Muay Thai training tonight. I can massage my injured pride by kicking some major ass in sparring. That way those glaring eyes got whooped by the guy that can't do push ups. LOL

wenispinkle · 08-03-2006, 05:43 AM

grease the groove, meaning, take 40-60 percent of your max number of pushups and do that several times spread throughout the day.

bacon · 08-03-2006, 10:55 AM

I used to coach HS wrestling and every year, the first thing I taught was how to do a proper pushup. I've seen so many sorry excuses for pushups it makes me want to vomit.

1. Assume the position: Feet should be together, body should form a straight line, HEAD UP, hand placement varies, but I teach the kids to keep their hands pointed forward with arms shoulder width apart.

2. Down: Head stays up, body stays in a straight line, Elbows should point back behind you. Go down until your chest contacts your hands and/or the floor.

3. Up: Return to start position. Keep head up and body straight.

It's amazing how many people cannot perform a proper pushup. Asses in the air, heads down, hands pointing at god knows what.. It's disgusting really.

Consider this the base pushup. When you can do 30 or so without stopping, start making it harder. Good luck