Do Pushups help stomach muscles?

[TehMac]

I hate doing situps, it seems like too much energy spent for too little gain in the principal area of the excercise--the Stomach.

I remember reading all sorts of commentaries on situps, pointing out the pros/cons and how situps don't really help the stomach as much as people believe.

Which leads me to my question: Although pushups are designed for biceps/triceps and back muscles, don't they also help stomach muscles?


Also, if I am doing pushups, is it a good idea to suck my stomach in?

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Yes in a way. If you do them properly by keeping your lower back up.

Think of it like you are "puffing" your kidney out and raising them towards the ceiling, and keep your abs engaged while you are doing said pushups.

 

[MegaVovaN]

IMO just flex your abs somewhat when doing pushups.

BTW, what are you trying to do? If you want to train abs specifically, do crunches.

If you are trying to lose fat around midsection, you cannot spot reduce. In that case you need to lower overall body fat % through stricter diet and aerobic exercise (run/bike/swim...).

 

[potato28]

I find that the best way to build abs is to ski. I've had a 6 pack for years just because I ski a lot during the winter.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: potato28
I find that the best way to build abs is to ski. I've had a 6 pack for years just because I ski a lot during the winter.

I have temps in excess of 80F in winter. Freezing point of water is 32F.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
IMO just flex your abs somewhat when doing pushups.

BTW, what are you trying to do? If you want to train abs specifically, do crunches.

If you are trying to lose fat around midsection, you cannot spot reduce. In that case you need to lower overall body fat % through stricter diet and aerobic exercise (run/bike/swim...).

It's not really a reduction of fat, I'm told I am pretty skinny, I just want to overall work to achieve some muscles in that lower section.

In terms of aerobics, I plan on swimming alot this summer after a workout, but right now, I do a lot of weight machines, pushups and the like. I found situps really discouraging because of all the effort I put in with minimal gain. I don't really see the value in them because, like you said, spot reduction is something of an impossibility.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
IMO just flex your abs somewhat when doing pushups.

BTW, what are you trying to do? If you want to train abs specifically, do crunches.

If you are trying to lose fat around midsection, you cannot spot reduce. In that case you need to lower overall body fat % through stricter diet and aerobic exercise (run/bike/swim...).

It's not really a reduction of fat, I'm told I am pretty skinny, I just want to overall work to achieve some muscles in that lower section.

In terms of aerobics, I plan on swimming alot this summer after a workout, but right now, I do a lot of weight machines, pushups and the like. I found situps really discouraging because of all the effort I put in with minimal gain. I don't really see the value in them because, like you said, spot reduction is something of an impossibility.

I see. Any chance you can do cardio work (swimming) on days other than lifting? After weight workout you need nutrition and rest, not endurance type aerobic work.

Also, if you're trying to bulk up overall, try barbell program such as Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5 (read sticky on top of this forum for more info).

SS is 3 days a week, only 3 lifts each day and you're set.

DayA:
Squats
Bench Press
Deadlift

DayB:
Squats
Overhead PRess
Rows or Power Cleans.


I use that version of program with modification: no rows or power cleans, but chin ups on one day and pullups on another. My abs are great!

 

[TehMac]

In terms of squats, I don't really have access to the dumbells. It's somewhat of a haphazard gym, there's not much there except 3 varieties of weight machines, so that kind of nullifies dead lifting as well. That's part of the problem, I don't have one long bar for bells.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: TehMac
In terms of squats, I don't really have access to the dumbells. It's somewhat of a haphazard gym, there's not much there except 3 varieties of weight machines, so that kind of nullifies dead lifting as well. That's part of the problem, I don't have one long bar for bells.

Do weighted situps or weighted incline situps. Your gym will have an incline bench, I'm almost certain. Do those for 8-12 reps for 3 sets and I promise your abdominals will get larger. Also, eat more if you want to get bigger. You can't create muscle from nothing. 🙂

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: TehMac
In terms of squats, I don't really have access to the dumbells. It's somewhat of a haphazard gym, there's not much there except 3 varieties of weight machines, so that kind of nullifies dead lifting as well. That's part of the problem, I don't have one long bar for bells.

Do weighted situps or weighted incline situps. Your gym will have an incline bench, I'm almost certain. Do those for 8-12 reps for 3 sets and I promise your abdominals will get larger. Also, eat more if you want to get bigger. You can't create muscle from nothing. 🙂

I agree, I don't know, I eat a shit load of carbs, and a crap load of meat when I can get it, I eat a diet of mashed/baked taters everynice + Chicken or a Roast or a Roast Chicken, or a nice BBQ'd steak with sausage. And then I also eat vegetables.

I think that's pretty healthy. And in the morning I eat fried eggs (1-2) oatmeal and sausages (2-3). Lunch is a bit of an issue for me, I don't really eat much then, and I think that's the real issue. The problem is my damned school trying to monopolize peeps to eat their crap, sp everyone makes a mad cow rush to all the good places, slowing everyone else up.

In any event, now that I have some wheels I can join in on the rushfest, I think Orange chicken will suffice for now.

ermm, in terms of the suggested excercise, the room does have an incline bench, so I guess I'll use that with 15 lb dumbells.

Can you show me how to use those dumbells in accord with the situp?

 

[TehMac]

hey Socially Challenged, I tried doing what you suggested today in the gym, only I think I didn't understand how to do it right, because, if I wasn't slipping off the bench, I was frickin struggling to keep my shorts right. I only managed to do 1 set of 7 reps. However, I was working out on the weight machines before this, so I don't know if you meant to do these excercises in isolation or what the deal is.

If you could perhaps illustrate what you meant, I'd be obliged. Thank you.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: TehMac
hey Socially Challenged, I tried doing what you suggested today in the gym, only I think I didn't understand how to do it right, because, if I wasn't slipping off the bench, I was frickin struggling to keep my shorts right. I only managed to do 1 set of 7 reps. However, I was working out on the weight machines before this, so I don't know if you meant to do these excercises in isolation or what the deal is.

If you could perhaps illustrate what you meant, I'd be obliged. Thank you.

Here's a link. You can hold one dumbbell to your chest perpendicular to your head. That's usually the best way. Or you can use the plates like most people do.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: TehMac
hey Socially Challenged, I tried doing what you suggested today in the gym, only I think I didn't understand how to do it right, because, if I wasn't slipping off the bench, I was frickin struggling to keep my shorts right. I only managed to do 1 set of 7 reps. However, I was working out on the weight machines before this, so I don't know if you meant to do these excercises in isolation or what the deal is.

If you could perhaps illustrate what you meant, I'd be obliged. Thank you.

Here's a link. You can hold one dumbbell to your chest perpendicular to your head. That's usually the best way. Or you can use the plates like most people do.

I don't have plates at my gym, I have two separate 15 pound dumbells which I was trying to use. I guess that makes more sense what he was doing. I'll see what happens when I go on Wedensday

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: TehMac
hey Socially Challenged, I tried doing what you suggested today in the gym, only I think I didn't understand how to do it right, because, if I wasn't slipping off the bench, I was frickin struggling to keep my shorts right. I only managed to do 1 set of 7 reps. However, I was working out on the weight machines before this, so I don't know if you meant to do these excercises in isolation or what the deal is.

If you could perhaps illustrate what you meant, I'd be obliged. Thank you.

Here's a link. You can hold one dumbbell to your chest perpendicular to your head. That's usually the best way. Or you can use the plates like most people do.

I don't have plates at my gym, I have two separate 15 pound dumbells which I was trying to use. I guess that makes more sense what he was doing. I'll see what happens when I go on Wedensday

How heavy do the dumbbells go? Seriously, you need to find a new gym if it's all machines. Those things will set you up for injury in applied physical activity.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: TehMac
hey Socially Challenged, I tried doing what you suggested today in the gym, only I think I didn't understand how to do it right, because, if I wasn't slipping off the bench, I was frickin struggling to keep my shorts right. I only managed to do 1 set of 7 reps. However, I was working out on the weight machines before this, so I don't know if you meant to do these excercises in isolation or what the deal is.

If you could perhaps illustrate what you meant, I'd be obliged. Thank you.

Here's a link. You can hold one dumbbell to your chest perpendicular to your head. That's usually the best way. Or you can use the plates like most people do.

I don't have plates at my gym, I have two separate 15 pound dumbells which I was trying to use. I guess that makes more sense what he was doing. I'll see what happens when I go on Wedensday

How heavy do the dumbbells go? Seriously, you need to find a new gym if it's all machines. Those things will set you up for injury in applied physical activity.

highest dumbells are 20 lbs.

 

[KoolDrew]

Where do you live and what kind of gym is it? You need to find a new gym.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Where do you live and what kind of gym is it? You need to find a new gym.

That's a massive 10-4. My gym's dumbbells go up to 150 pounds each. When I can squat heavy with the dumbbells at my gym, I know that's where I belong, lol. No really though, try to find another gym, especially if you're playing for the place you go to now.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Where do you live and what kind of gym is it? You need to find a new gym.

That's a massive 10-4. My gym's dumbbells go up to 150 pounds each. When I can squat heavy with the dumbbells at my gym, I know that's where I belong, lol. No really though, try to find another gym, especially if you're playing for the place you go to now.

How are heavy DB squats better than BB squats?
And what does 10-4 mean?

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Where do you live and what kind of gym is it? You need to find a new gym.

Yeah, the gym I go to is pretty small--its only got 3 weight machines that I'd use, they tend to work out different muscles sets, and I do pushups and my house.


I'm thinking of going to a bigger gym, but I don't if it's worth it because its a new place, it's bigger (and more people--I don't like an audience when I lift), and it costs money for membership.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Where do you live and what kind of gym is it? You need to find a new gym.

That's a massive 10-4. My gym's dumbbells go up to 150 pounds each. When I can squat heavy with the dumbbells at my gym, I know that's where I belong, lol. No really though, try to find another gym, especially if you're playing for the place you go to now.

How are heavy DB squats better than BB squats?
And what does 10-4 mean?

10-4 as in "Affirmative." DB squats aren't better than BB squat.. 😵 Man, you read wayyyy too far into my post, lol. I was making a joke about how I like to be able to do whatever I need to with DBs in case the BBs are all taken. I've done DB deadlifts with the 100s (my grip limited higher) and only used DBs for squat warmups; but like I said, I only use them if the BBs aren't available.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Where do you live and what kind of gym is it? You need to find a new gym.

Yeah, the gym I go to is pretty small--its only got 3 weight machines that I'd use, they tend to work out different muscles sets, and I do pushups and my house.


I'm thinking of going to a bigger gym, but I don't if it's worth it because its a new place, it's bigger (and more people--I don't like an audience when I lift), and it costs money for membership.

Machines aren't really part of a complete workout though. They isolate certain muscle groups and therefore don't strengthen supporting muscles as well. This sets the user up for injury when the user utilizes these large base muscles with small supporting muscles and ligaments. Get out of your head and go lift in front of people. People don't matter. If it's not crowded and you can do your workout unhindered, you're fine. Also, sometimes it's worth the money to get a better general workout, get stronger, etc. I don't know your situation, but I'd say you gotta get over your anxieties and try to get membership to another gym.

 

[gramboh]

Originally posted by: potato28
I find that the best way to build abs is to ski. I've had a 6 pack for years just because I ski a lot during the winter.

I clocked 30 days this season freeskiing, including touring and hiking, and I still have a mini-gut 🙂 Probably due to my crap diet.

 

[gramboh]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Where do you live and what kind of gym is it? You need to find a new gym.

Yeah, the gym I go to is pretty small--its only got 3 weight machines that I'd use, they tend to work out different muscles sets, and I do pushups and my house.


I'm thinking of going to a bigger gym, but I don't if it's worth it because its a new place, it's bigger (and more people--I don't like an audience when I lift), and it costs money for membership.

Believe me, it's worth it, once you train for a few weeks and see results you will be happy with your purchase of a membership.

Re: audience thing, you might feel intimidated the first few times you go, but don't be. No one cares what you look like, no one looks at you (unless they are impressed, or weird). Anyone that looks down upon someone learning is an a**hole who has no place there. After you go consistently for a while, you will start to recognize the regulars and they will recognize you, it will feel like home 🙂

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: potato28
I find that the best way to build abs is to ski. I've had a 6 pack for years just because I ski a lot during the winter.

You mean I could have had a six pack all these years??? I'll have to remember not to winterize my boat next Fall.

 

[timosyy]

You need a new gym if they only have 3 machines and the dumbells stop at 20lb.

At the very least in a gym I'd expect a power rack, a declinable bench, dip bars, a couple benches for barbell bench & dumbbell exercises, dumbells that go past 100lb, and some cardio machines.