Women + press ups

Tats1000
Tats1000 Posts: 36 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've recently started doing press ups as part of my exercise routine. The ladies type ones on your knees, not the full men type ones as I'm not strong enough yet. I'm doing an extra 5 per night to keep getting better. I just wanted to ask if these are actually beneficial to women or are they best left to the men for chest building? If you do think hell yeah women should do them, can you let me know what they work?
I am very excited to be honest cos I never thought I could do a press up but now doing sets with reps of 10 :) Let me know your thoughts! Xx
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Replies

  • mazdauk
    mazdauk Posts: 1,380 Member
    They are good for women too as they work your pectoral muscles - which help keep your "girls" from bumping on your knees.:laugh:
  • m4ttcheek
    m4ttcheek Posts: 229 Member
    The weight involved in press up's is too light to build muscle, it just builds stamina.

    Try to do proper press ups, i've seen lots of women do them.
  • anonymousKel
    anonymousKel Posts: 92 Member
    I have had some cracking core results and I put it down to adding press ups, planks, burpees and squat thrusts in my reg routine. Full ones and travelling press ups. love them. enjoy. Also nice shoulders in maxi dresses in the summer :)
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    They're not just great for chest muscles, the address your triceps and core too, a great all-round upper body exercise.

    Here's a blog on how I built up from super-easy versions to full ones following a shoulder injury:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/how-to-do-10-full-push-ups-what-worked-for-me-126396
  • Schann7
    Schann7 Posts: 218
    I always feel it in my abs when I do military style push ups!
  • pennydreadful270
    pennydreadful270 Posts: 266 Member
    They work your shoulder, triceps, pecs and your stomach and back as well as you keep everything straight. Once you've worked up to doing lots of girly push-ups, I'd try full ones but at an angle- using stairs or a table/worktop/bed. You'll find the higher the angle is, the easier they are. I find using a bench about knee high is more challenging than girl pushups, but easy enough that I can get properly low and complete the reps. :)
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I do push-ups with my feet on the dining table and my hands on the floor. working my way up to handstand push-ups.

    Yes i clean the table afterwards :flowerforyou:

    If anyone tries to tell you women shouldn't do any particular exercise, ask them how the heck they think we survived the palaoelithic era if women were so weak and fragile. Good form in important, and ensuring that any weights and resistance is not too much for your current level of strength.... but that applies equally to men and women.
  • Frazzlenz
    Frazzlenz Posts: 32 Member
    I like your blog BerryH. I've been doing bootcamp for 9 months and still struggle to do a proper pushup. Its really frustrating. Will follow your plan and see if I can get some improvement happening.
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    Of course we'll benefit from push ups...they're a great compound exercise using many muscles!
  • amy1612
    amy1612 Posts: 1,356 Member
    Pushups are awesome, I'll never forget when I started being able to do full pushups. Now I can crack 10 out at a time, <3 them.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    this is what I want to be able to do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0mNQsPMuHQ

    I can do about the first 4 kinds so far and that's it... different varieties work different muscle groups so including a variety is good.

    also when you get to the stage where you can do 15 regular (knees not on the floor) push-ups, these varieties give you something to progress too, and there are others besides these.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    They are good for women too as they work your pectoral muscles - which help keep your "girls" from bumping on your knees.:laugh:


    Does not do a whole heap for women though. Boobs are fat, once the fat is gone there is not a huge amount you can do about what happens to them. You can only work the muscle under it, but without the fat there is only skin.
  • gabijadc
    gabijadc Posts: 90 Member
    I used to be not able to do press ups but now I can do the full ones from toes or one leg press ups.

    I suggest doing both from knees and also some from toes even if you bend your arms just a tiny bit - that is how I got strong
  • SamanthaClarexo
    SamanthaClarexo Posts: 353 Member
    Pushups are awesome, I'll never forget when I started being able to do full pushups. Now I can crack 10 out at a time, <3 them.

    Me too! Was so excited when I could do my first proper push up! Now they're one of my favourite exercises on chest day! x
  • JeninBelgium
    JeninBelgium Posts: 804 Member
    also, I find when I do press-ups/push-ups on my knees that I really don't engage my core, but I am not yet strong enough to do them military style, so I now do"elevated" push-ups - in standard position (ie on my toes not my knees) but off the edge of a coffee table- much easier than on the floor but I still engage my abs

    at work I use my desk (higher than the coffee table and thus easier still - so somewhat less effective) and now at home, in addition to the coffee table or blanket trunk that I sometimes use, i am using a step- which is lower than the table, and thus harder- I can only do about 2 or 3 off of the step but that's more than I could do last month!

    so, my advice, is next time you do them try on your toes or off of an elevated surface
    One day I will get to the military style press-up/push-up and then on to the declining version

    http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/Upper-Body-Exercises/a/Decline-Push-Ups.htm
  • paruls86
    paruls86 Posts: 188 Member
    try incline pushups with a bench support they are far better than girly pushups... i could never get the bun with girly ones... now i do regular though i can barely go three quarters but i feel worked out ... m working on getting to the chest touching floor types...
    i sometimes feel it also has to do something with ur upper arm length... may be not ...
  • twelfty
    twelfty Posts: 576 Member
    The weight involved in press up's is too light to build muscle, it just builds stamina.

    Try to do proper press ups, i've seen lots of women do them.
    ?!?!?! the weight on a press up is about 60 - 70%% of your body weight!!! spread over shoulders, arms and chest ..........
  • rosettafaery
    rosettafaery Posts: 102 Member
    My press ups are pathetic! I can maybe do one knee press up and then I just end up lying on the floor...
    Checked out the blog post by BerryH and I think that will really help me to build up and improve.
    Thanks for the advice!
  • twelfty
    twelfty Posts: 576 Member
    also for anyone serious about press ups check this out:

    http://www.hundredpushups.com/#sthash.nBA6Li6P.dpbs

    i started this yesterday and it's great :)
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    The wide-leg version was the light-bulb moment for me in building up to to full ones.
  • xidia
    xidia Posts: 606 Member
    They are good for women too as they work your pectoral muscles - which help keep your "girls" from bumping on your knees.:laugh:


    Does not do a whole heap for women though. Boobs are fat, once the fat is gone there is not a huge amount you can do about what happens to them. You can only work the muscle under it, but without the fat there is only skin.

    Yes, once the fat is gone they are gone. But while there is fat there, supportive underlying muscle keeps them perkier, just like any other area of fat with a decent muscle structure underneath it.
  • m4ttcheek
    m4ttcheek Posts: 229 Member

    ?!?!?! the weight on a press up is about 60 - 70%% of your body weight!!! spread over shoulders, arms and chest..........

    If they were a strength/size exercise people wouldn't be knocking out 20,40,60...... in one set. This is stamina.


    http://weighttrainingexercises4you.com/rep-ranges-to-develop-muscle.html
  • twelfty
    twelfty Posts: 576 Member
    right first off, that website has no credibility, no nothing infact, other than info, second this a woman, not a body builder, third IF you can knock out 20, 30, 40 then you're not a beginner, if you can just about manage ten that is a decent weight lift regime, fourth not everyone is looking to just build bulky muscles that do nothing, most are looking for genuine strength and toned muscles, especially women

    last and most definitely not least, if a press up wasn't important why on earth do the army train their soldiers to do press ups? stamina and strength go hand in hand in the real world not just to brag you can lift a heavy weight once and collapse on the floor.....

    so in short: NO MATE
  • m4ttcheek
    m4ttcheek Posts: 229 Member
    1st: The website was just an example, these rep ranges are pretty widely recognized.
    2nd: Why would a bodybuilder do stamina exercises? The OP seemed worried about it being too much of a mass builder.
    3rd: My experience of training with women is that they can get over 10 reps in a month or 2. I've trained with lots of noobs at martial arts clubs.
    4th: Addressed in the second point and more original point, this wont build much muscle.
  • _Furio_
    _Furio_ Posts: 4 Member
    second this a woman, not a body builder

    WTF are you talking about? so what if it is a woman? Press ups aren't a good chest builder. doing lots of press ups will just make you good at press ups as there's litte opportunity to progressively overload. The bench press is a superior exercise by a mile.
    fourth not everyone is looking to just build bulky muscles that do nothing, most are looking for genuine strength and toned muscles, especially women

    When does a big muscle suddenly become useless and 'do nothing'? Look at a rugby player's physique. some of then are 19st and can run 100m quicker than you and your pathetic frame.
    last and most definitely not least, if a press up wasn't important why on earth do the army train their soldiers to do press ups?

    AHAHAHAHAHA, are you claiming the army to be the beacon of physical fitness? the entry requirements require 50 press ups in 2 minutes. I'd question myself as a man if i couldn't achieve this with even a basic level of fitness. if you can't, you're either fat, weak, or both.
    stamina and strength go hand in hand in the real world not just to brag you can lift a heavy weight once and collapse on the floor.....

    I'd really stick to waxing lyrical about things you actually have any knowledge of.
  • twelfty
    twelfty Posts: 576 Member
    second this a woman, not a body builder

    WTF are you talking about? so what if it is a woman? Press ups aren't a good chest builder. doing lots of press ups will just make you good at press ups as there's litte opportunity to progressively overload. The bench press is a superior exercise by a mile.
    fourth not everyone is looking to just build bulky muscles that do nothing, most are looking for genuine strength and toned muscles, especially women

    When does a big muscle suddenly become useless and 'do nothing'? Look at a rugby player's physique. some of then are 19st and can run 100m quicker than you and your pathetic frame.
    last and most definitely not least, if a press up wasn't important why on earth do the army train their soldiers to do press ups?

    AHAHAHAHAHA, are you claiming the army to be the beacon of physical fitness? the entry requirements require 50 press ups in 2 minutes. I'd question myself as a man if i couldn't achieve this with even a basic level of fitness. if you can't, you're either fat, weak, or both.
    stamina and strength go hand in hand in the real world not just to brag you can lift a heavy weight once and collapse on the floor.....

    I'd really stick to waxing lyrical about things you actually have any knowledge of.

    the post is about a woman wanting to do press ups to tone up and get strong. which press ups are perfect for as a beginner

    rugby players?!?! seriously.... for a start rugby players are enormous naturally, you don't get to that size at 21 - 24 without being naturally big. as for my frame... well... i'm 6'4 and 190 so i'm doing alright, that picture was a couple of years ago, and i run 100m quite quick thanks lol but well done for breaking the rules in your first post

    to build on that body builders are different to rugby players one is size, power and stamina the other is purely focused on ORM maybe 10 reps at a lower weight in comp. the difference being one is a tiny man being big the other is a big man being fit, simple.

    the army ENTRY level of fitness is 50 in 2 mins yeah but this is worked on to build peak physical fitness with... press ups as well as other things.

    y'know i probably couldn't do the 50 in 2 but i'm working towards it, i don't really feel the need to question myself as a man by the size of my muscles... well maybe one and he's definitely big enough lol... sounds like you got some making up to do...? i can't see any other reason to stoop to such a pathetic level of trying to take away another blokes dignity by making out he's not manly, yeah definitely little **** syndrome that

    and no i'm not fat, or that weak actually more a fitness thing.
  • m4ttcheek
    m4ttcheek Posts: 229 Member
    the post is about a woman wanting to do press ups to tone up and get strong. which press ups are perfect for as a beginner

    The post was about should women do press ups of at they just a chest builder for men. Also what does it work.

    My first post stated that they aren't a chest builder for men. Which you thought was the dumbest thing you'd ever read. Then you suggested it was a bodybuilding exercise. Then you say it's for building "toned muscles" and strength......

    Also i feel fairly offended on behalf of women that you under estimate their abilities so much.
  • amy1612
    amy1612 Posts: 1,356 Member
    For gods sake boys, put your d**ks away and stop arguing. Pushups are great for building strength, how on earth are you meant to get better at things LIKE bench press if you cant push your own weight off the ground. They will not give you the crazy pec muscles that benching 100kg will, but they will help strengthen that general area and keep it looking nice if you have a low enough BF%. Now stop.
  • m4ttcheek
    m4ttcheek Posts: 229 Member
    he started it ;)
  • _Furio_
    _Furio_ Posts: 4 Member
    the post is about a woman wanting to do press ups to tone up and get strong. which press ups are perfect for as a beginner

    what does the word 'tone' even mean? Stop using it, you're refering to someone who wants to lower their BF%.

    You won't get strong from doing press ups. you'll get good at doing press ups. to get strong you need to progressively overload your muscles and stay in the correct rep range for strength training.

    There is nothing wrong with press ups, i do them. but they are not a great chest builder, nor a strength builder.
    rugby players?!?! seriously.... for a start rugby players are enormous naturally, you don't get to that size at 21 - 24 without being naturally big. as for my frame... well... i'm 6'4 and 190 so i'm doing alright, that picture was a couple of years ago, and i run 100m quite quick thanks lol but well done for breaking the rules in your first post

    How on earth are they enormous naturally? Jason Robinson is 5ft 8' and around 190lb. He wasn't born at that weight with that much muscle. Anyone can get to that size by 21-24. the 'must be naturally big' excuse is wheeled out by the uniformed people who have no idea how to put together a decent strength and size routine.
    to build on that body builders are different to rugby players one is size, power and stamina the other is purely focused on ORM maybe 10 reps at a lower weight in comp. the difference being one is a tiny man being big the other is a big man being fit, simple.

    again, you're looking like an idiot. bodybuilders don't lift anything during a comp, they pose on stage. Rugby players train to be good at rugby, and body builders train to look symetrical. stop comparing the two. i only mentioned rugby players to completely pwn your assertion that big muscles 'dont do anything'.
    the army ENTRY level of fitness is 50 in 2 mins yeah but this is worked on to build peak physical fitness with... press ups as well as other things.

    90% of the time spent in the army is spent sat on a base. how on earth do you think that is the peak of physical fitness. they are probably fitter than the average male in society, but look around you; it's hardly much of a comparison is it.
    i don't really feel the need to question myself as a man by the size of my muscles... well maybe one and he's definitely big enough lol... sounds like you got some making up to do...? i can't see any other reason to stoop to such a pathetic level of trying to take away another blokes dignity by making out he's not manly, yeah definitely little **** syndrome that

    HEH! this is another of the excuses wheeled out by the insecure. that anyone training harder than them 'has some making up to do'. I'm actually lighter than you and not as tall. I'm willing to be i'm stronger, faster, fitter and have a lower BF% than you. From a fitness and lifting perspective you've achieved very little (as have I), but that isn't an excuse to go around giving people crappy advice.

    I bet these are some other things you tell people:
    [regarding a bodybuilder] "yeah, but it all turns to fat when they stop training"
    "muscle weighs more than fat"
    "higher rep, lower weight gets you 'toned'"
    "i don't want to 'get big', women don't like that"
    "don't eat carbs after 7pm or you'll get fat"

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