YAWT - Push-up questions.

[SaltBoy]

In order to get in shape, I've been doing a basic aerobic routine for the past couple of months. Only about three weeks ago, I started to do push ups and other muscle-building exercises to suppliment the aerobics.

Unless I'm mistaken, the main muscles that are supposed to be targeted during pushups are the pecs and triceps - much like bench pressing. However, while doing normal pushups, I noticed very little "burn" in those areas. Sure, the pushups were exhausting and caused my heart rate to go up, but I didn't feel any gain strength-wise or mass-wise.

After a week of the normal pushups, I decided to try something a little different. Instead of using my feet, I began to use my knees for supporting my legs. Yes, in essence, I began to do "granny" pushups. However, while doing the grannies, I noticed a significant difference. Although the initial grannies were very easy to do, about 20-25 reps later I noticed a much more noticable burn in my pecs and triceps. I got to the point where I could do no more, rested, and then repeated after about a minute of rest.

Fast forward about two weeks later - I'm beginning to see definition in the pecs, which was my goal all along. So my question is this: should I continue with the grannies, if they appear to be working? Should I eventually go back to normal pushups?

 

[chibichanman]

I'm no pro... but I would think the reason is that using your feet as a foundation point locks in your abs to help support weight. So by putting the weight on your knees, you're essentially removing most of the ab help out of the equation, making your arms do more of the work. Unsure mind you... just a thought.

 

[bignateyk]

Only thing I can think is that you are getting lower to the floor while doing granny pushups. While doing regular pushups, are you touching the floor?

 

[Turin39789]

Try vertical pushups

 

[Minjin]

How many pushups were you doing and at what hand width? Put them closer together and form a diamond or far apart and you'll see different muscles being targeted. I can tell you as someone who had the second highest pushup count during PRT, ~135 in two minutes (bested by a short stocky Marine), there is no way you can finish and only just be tired.

 

[amish]

try feet elevated too or with weight on your back. don't try both at the same time as the weight tends to shift and smack you in the back of the head.

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Only thing I can think is that you are getting lower to the floor while doing granny pushups. While doing regular pushups, are you touching the floor?

Yes, but that includes my legs as well. I figure with the grannies, only my upper body is touching the floor, giving me more opportunity to focus on my arms. Pushups, after all, are supposed to be upper-body exercises, right?

 

[purbeast0]

lol dude ... you aren't going to see mass gains from doing pushups for 2 weeks, let alone even lifting real weights for 2 weeks. you aren't really going to see mass gains at all from just doing pushups.

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: amish
try feet elevated too or with weight on your back. don't try both at the same time as the weight tends to shift and smack you in the back of the head.

I forgot that detail - yes, my feet are also elevated when I do the grannies. Only my knees are supporting me.

 

[KMc]

I guess my first question is if you are getting exactly the results you are looking for with the knee supported exercise, why would you consider doing something different?

In doing a press type exercise, the angle of the arms compared to the torso dictates the muscle group used. A typical bench press (or standard pushup) is roughly 90 degrees to the torso and focuses on the pecs, triceps, but I also feel it in my shoulders. As you move upward, you work the upper chest and more shoulders, as you move downward, you work the lower chest.

I think what you are seeing is that doing the pushup from your knees is decreasing the angle between your arms and your torso and thereby focusing more on the lower pecs, which is where the definition is more noticeable for you.

I say, the heck with whatever anybody else thinks - you can't argue with results. But that's just my opinion.

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
lol dude ... you aren't going to see mass gains from doing pushups for 2 weeks, let alone even lifting real weights for 2 weeks. you aren't really going to see mass gains at all from just doing pushups.

I'm not looking for mass gains. I just want to get into shape in general... Lose 5 lbs, get rid of some love handles, etc. I'm not going for Hasselhoff here!

 

[BrownTown]

I can only speak for myself, but when I do pushups to the point of failure my arms feal like they are made of Jelly, and my pecs deffinitely start to feel that "burn". Perhaps you just need to do more pushups, or do them faster? Also as was stated, the location of your hands is very important. When I put my hands together in a diamond I can barely do 10 pushups, when I have them at ~shoulder width I can do more like 40.

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: SaltBoy

Originally posted by: amish
try feet elevated too or with weight on your back. don't try both at the same time as the weight tends to shift and smack you in the back of the head.

I forgot that detail - yes, my feet are also elevated when I do the grannies. Only my knees are supporting me.

no, i meant keep your feet up so that your whole body is parallel to the ground before you begin. put your feet on a chair when you get into your pushup position. when you go down you will have more weight focused on your arms.

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
I can only speak for myself, but when I do pushups to the point of failure my arms feal like they are made of Jelly, and my pecs deffinitely start to feel that "burn". Perhaps you just need to do more pushups, or do them faster? Also as was stated, the location of your hands is very important. When I put my hands together in a diamond I can barely do 10 pushups, when I have them at ~shoulder width I can do more like 40.

I'm getting to the point where I need to do more per set, but I'm also beginning to slow down my motion in order to put more stress (?) on the arms during each rep. Slowing down the movement, I understand, is somewhat equivalent to adding more weight during a bench press, so I figure there's nothing wrong with that. I do go to the point where my arms feel like jelly, stop, rest, then repeat for an additional set.

I'm only wondering if I need to change things if my current situation is working right now. Based on what everybody has written, I don't think I need to change right now. Maybe I'll mix things up in the future.

 

[UncleWai]

I am a true believer of the thug workout (see youtube). Push-ups should be done as a finale on a workout. You should go to park and do push up, chin up, and bar dips to see a faster, more dramatic result.

 

[911paramedic]

You are just changing your angle with the granny pushups. (and removing the abs+some weight)

If you really want to build them up, do them every two days, first do normal pushups and then do the granny pushups to failure. I, too, have been doing pushups getting ready for the guard. First couple of weeks I got so sore I could barely wash my hair, lol. At present, I do 50 each morning for strength, not definition. I do either 25-25-10, or 20-20-10. I have noticed that they have gotten much easier lately so I may go up, or just do the routine twice a day.

I just remember in bootcamp we did them ALL the time to failure (a person just cannot do that many pushups, I don't care how strong you are) and we: lost weight, and got stronger. If you want a good workout, google "8 count bodybuilders", those were a favorite of the CC's.

You tube, lol. We did them WITHOUT the jump at the end, we just stood up. (or made them ten count and did another jumping jack after standing up)

 

[homercles337]

Pushup are a generalized exercise, they hit a large number of muscle groups. Shoulds, back, triceps, pecs (hand placement is important here), and others. Try upgrading to declined pushups, put your feet up on a block about a foot off the ground.

 

[zerocool1]

Originally posted by: amish
try feet elevated too or with weight on your back. don't try both at the same time as the weight tends to shift and smack you in the back of the head.

does somebody know from experience?

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: zerocool1

Originally posted by: amish
try feet elevated too or with weight on your back. don't try both at the same time as the weight tends to shift and smack you in the back of the head.

does somebody know from experience?

LMAO

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: homercles337
Pushup are a generalized exercise, they hit a large number of muscle groups. Shoulds, back, triceps, pecs (hand placement is important here), and others. Try upgrading to declined pushups, put your feet up on a block about a foot off the ground.

Incline press is better for chest definition.

 

[RallyMaster]

damn, i need to try some of that thug workout stuff, looks effective

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: zerocool1

Originally posted by: amish
try feet elevated too or with weight on your back. don't try both at the same time as the weight tends to shift and smack you in the back of the head.

does somebody know from experience?

maybe...

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: homercles337
Pushup are a generalized exercise, they hit a large number of muscle groups. Shoulds, back, triceps, pecs (hand placement is important here), and others. Try upgrading to declined pushups, put your feet up on a block about a foot off the ground.

Wouldn't that be inclined? Look at the angle your arm forms in relation to your body.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

I did not see anyone post this, but make sure you have the right form. Unless it feels like your ass is about 5 inches too close to the ground, you are probably at an angle instead of flat.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

I just remember in bootcamp we did them ALL the time to failure were a favorite of the CC's.

DROP AND GIVE ME 50 MAGGOT!

ONE, DRILL SARGENT! 2 DRILL SARGENT! 3 DRILL SARGENT!...