Push-ups between sets

collins1859

Recently I've started doing push-ups between sets of whatever I'm working on that day. I do 10-15 immediately after the set I'm doing. Rest for about 30-45 seconds then do it all over. Thinking about doing sit-ups and crunches also but changing it daily. Thoughts?

SonyaCele

i personally wouldn't do push ups between sets because i take full advantage of my rest days since i rip my chest up twice a week. I don't do anything between sets but play candy crush.

questionfear

A good push-up is going to be a bit of a full body workout (keeping your core and legs straight plus the chest/arm/shoulder work). Honestly, I couldn't imagine giving my all to a push-up AND to a primary workout. If I do anything between sets it's just some light active stretches or bouncing around to keep warm. Just my two cents.

SonyaCele

If you have energy between sets for pushups, your sets aren't challenging enough. Amp up your sets so you need that rest period.

michaela4910

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/phano62.htm

Explains the rationale for rest between sets and what can happen if you get too little or too much rest.

jimmmer

Depends on the exercise and it's intensity level. I often chuck a few cheeky pull ups between sets of pressing exercises. But I'm greasing the groove with it in a non competing movement - not going balls to the wall and messing up what should be a recuperative period...

jemhh

I know that Jim Wendler (5/3/1) suggests pushups between sets of squats and deadlifts. I'm doing an ab exercise (band rotation or ab roller) between those sets. I do pulls between my ohp and bench press. But if you can handle pushups, I don't see a problem.

michaela4910

I will sometimes do some leg work between sets when I'm working my upper body or vis-versa if that part of my body has had a day of rest.

Sam_I_Am77

It all depends on what you're trying to do. If you're working more on strength-endurance, then pairing a strength movement for low to moderate reps and moderate intensity with a movement like push-ups for higher reps will help with that goal. If you're working on maximal strength, heavier intensity and low reps then no it's a bad idea because you're not allowing your ATP to re-build between sets which you need for "heavier" intensities. But doing them between Squats, Deadlifts, Back exercises isn't a bad idea. I do chin-ups in-between all my pressing work and it doesn't affect my pressing.

nossmf

A set of pushups can be a great super-set exercise on chest or back day. Not so sure about doing them on leg day.