What are push ups good for?

Fatvaporizer

Hi, I'm thinking about incorporating push ups into my exercise routine ( which mainly consists of cardio and strength training (at the gym). I was wondering what the benefits of push ups are? Does it cause you to be muscular and 'bulky?' or does it tone out the body? Does it help in reducing fat or is it just to build muscle? I pretty much don't have any idea what push ups do. While on the topic, what do sit ups/crunches do too? Thanks!

Not to offend anyone but do push ups make your chest larger? I mean, for someone who wants to go for a 'slim and toned look,' instead of muscular, would push ups be right to do? Thanks.

Fatvaporizer

And also, how many push ups per day is a 'good' enough amount to see results ?

Azdak

Push ups are a strength training exercise, focusing primarily on the chest muscles, but also involving the triceps. Doing them with correct form also provides some core training. The guidelines for performing pushups are the same as any other strength exercise. Pushups don't lend themselves well for really heavy loads--e.g. 1-5 RM--but they are suitable for other strength ranges.

Most people will probably do pushups in 8-12 rep range. So you need to adjust resistance so that you reach fatigue/failure or nearly so within the prescribed rep range. For those who can't do their body weight, that means doing incline pushups or knee pushups. For those who can do more, one must incorporate a decline angle, weights, or resistance bands to maintain progress.

Push ups can also be included in a circuit type of workout where the focus in not on strength, but dynamic intensity to increase oxygen uptake. In this case, the standard body weight pushup will not be that effective, since the avg intensity is only about 3-4 METs. It is necessary to either modify the form--e.g. in a burpee, or crab walk pushup--to ramp up the intensity.

Cherimoose

No offense, but since you don't know the basics of strength training, i suggest following a professionally designed program, because self-designed programs are usually imbalanced. Either hire a good trainer, or follow a proven program (Stronglifts, NROL, etc).

Regardless of the program, fat loss requires a slight calorie deficit, muscle gain requires a slight calorie surplus.

buffalogal42

What are push-ups good for? Instantly making me cranky! ;-)

jessef593

Cherimoose wrote: »

No offense, but since you don't know the basics of strength training, i suggest following a professionally designed program, because self-designed programs are usually imbalanced. Either hire a good trainer, or follow a proven program (Stronglifts, NROL, etc).

Regardless of the program, fat loss requires a slight calorie deficit, muscle gain requires a slight calorie surplus.

Thank you.

They are primarily a pec dominant exercise. But they include the triceps, deltoids and even abit of the lats as stabilizers. Fat loss is from a deficit. Nothing else. You could run 15miles a day and still gain fat. Id suggest looking into the basics of fat loss and muscle gain

lorrpb

Surprised that no one mentions that pu also work the core. If you need more challenge, do feet elevated or single arm, or both.

Cylphin60

lorrpb wrote: »

Surprised that no one mentions that pu also work the core. If you need more challenge, do feet elevated or single arm, or both.

Yep. Push-ups are a staple in my routine. I do mostly Bodyweight exercises, and they are invaluable.

Cylphin60

Cherimoose wrote: »

No offense, but since you don't know the basics of strength training, i suggest following a professionally designed program, because self-designed programs are usually imbalanced. Either hire a good trainer, or follow a proven program (Stronglifts, NROL, etc).

Regardless of the program, fat loss requires a slight calorie deficit, muscle gain requires a slight calorie surplus.

I agree with this too. Basics of maintaining proper form and training will help quite a bit. PUs can, if not done correctly can cause a bit of grief with the shoulders.

sgt1372

Fatvaporizer wrote: »

And also, how many push ups per day is a 'good' enough amount to see results ?

How many pushups you choose to do depends on your personal goals and objectives. There's no single answer that "right" for everyone.

However, there is a Killustrated Chart that rates the ability of men and women by age in terms of the number of standard straight plank pushups (from the toes, not the knees) that can be performed in one set.

Click the link for "Muscle Endurance Standards" that you can find here:

http://lonkilgore.com/freebies/freebies.html

The standards for men are much higher than for women.

I'm a 66 yr old man and can do 25 plank pushups in a row, which puts me in the "Intermediate class for men my age but that would be considered " Untrained" for men under 40. A woman over 60, who can do as many pushups, would be considered "Advanced" but an "Intermediate" if under 40. An untrained woman under 40 eould only be expected to do 4.

In any event, you can use this chart as a gauge of how many pushups you "should" be able to oerform based on your sex, age and fitness objective.

Michael190lbs

extending Missionary position capability