Use PushUp Bars for plank jacks, plank jump, mountain climb?

Xandra101

I'm 5'0, so I have short arms. It's difficult for me to do push ups with bare hand, and also wrist strain.

Now, I'm doing 30 Day Shred. I've got Push Up Bars (Nike) to help with the push ups in level 1.
In level 2&3, Jillian adds in many plank variations, like plank jacks, plank jumps, mountain climbing (running plank), and walking push ups. I find that I can't do these exercises with my hands flat on the floor. With Push Up Bars, my arms become 4 inches longer, so it's easier to do these difficult exercises.

I would like to know that using Push Up Bars in these plank variations makes the exercises become less effective or not???
For "less effective", I mean burn fewer calories and/or gain fewer muscles.

Should I try to push myself to do the exercises without Push Up Grips??

Thanks

darrensurrey

Probably not the answer you want but if it feels easier, then it is burning less calories BUT it's still better to do it with the bars than not at all. Perhaps you can move faster or wear a weighted belt? (eg a belt with ankle weights strapped to it)

kepete

I believe you need to continue doing what works for you & not concern yourself with it being less effective. You need to avoid injury! Good luck on your quest!

Azdak

Nope--they work just fine. I am old and not particularly flexible, so I use aids like that all the time.

AZKristi

Any time you are doing an exercise like a plank or a push-up, you make the exercise easier if you elevate your hands above your feet. A pushup or a plank is significantly easier if you have your hands on a weight bench and your feet on the floor. Elevating your hands a few inches with pushup grips would decrease the workload very slightly, but not to an extent that you should be worried about. Its better to perform the exercise with this modification to protect your wrists. After all, if you hurt your wrists and end up not being able to do ANY planks or push-ups. that will have a far worse impact on your training. If you are really worried about it being easier, do an extra rep or two - that should more than compensate.

Xandra101

Thank you everyone!
I'll stick with my push up bars, but also I'll try to add more rep and move faster to increase intensity.