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RandalFlagg
Stranger
Registered: 06/15/02
Posts: 15,608
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Pushup questions
#5745812 - 06/13/06 01:46 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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I routinely drop down and do 50 pushups at a time. I do this about 6 times a day at least. So, I'm getting in at least 300 pushups a day (often more like 500 a day).
Does anybody know how pushups correlate to bench presses as far as weight and repetition go? My questions:
1. How much "weight" is a push up? Is it 1/3 of your body weight? Is it 1/2?
2. How do lower weight/higher rep bench presses translate into higher weight/lower rep bench presses? For example, if I can do 10 bench press reps of 150 pounds does that mean I can do 3 reps of 175 pounds? Does it mean I can do 1 rep of 200 pounds? Etc..
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Atheist
Stranger


Registered: 01/24/06
Posts: 13,705
Loc: USA
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thats a GREAT question
i've always wondered pushups compared to benching
i do a lot of pushups too, they feel good
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badchad
Mad Scientist

Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,372
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Re: Pushup questions [Re: Atheist]
#5746123 - 06/13/06 03:14 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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The problem with pushups would be increasing the weight. Imagine benching the same amount day after day. Your max isn't going to increase that much.
Not sure about the weight. I'm pretty little (~140-150). I work out about 5 days a week. I'm benching about 205-210 (max). I could probably rip off 60-80 pushups, although I couldn't get anywhere near that with my warmup bench weight (135). I'd say you're only "benching" half your weight (maybe less0 with a pushup. Thats a completely random guess though.
As far as correlating reps to max's, there are charts for that. I've seen a lot of different ones (I even posted one in another thread a while ago). I googled one quickly for ya http://www.criticalbench.com/chart.htm
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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goobler
Reanimated



Registered: 02/24/03
Posts: 48,909
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no comparison
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Silversoul
Rhizome


Registered: 01/01/05
Posts: 23,576
Loc: The Barricades
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Quote:
How do lower weight/higher rep bench presses translate into higher weight/lower rep bench presses?
They don't. Lower weight/higher reps builds muscle tone, while higher weight/lower reps builds muscle mass. So if you want to look better, do lower weight/higher rep, but if you want to be stronger, do higher weight/lower rep.
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HagbardCeline
Student-Teacher-Student-Teacher


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Goobs is correct. You just can't make a comparison or try to extrapolate one from the other. When you're doing high reps like you are, your training your muscles for recruitment of fast-twitch fibers, which give you more endurance but not much strength. Heavy lifting recruits slow-twitch fibers. If you're looking for strength, you must train that way.
-------------------- I keep it real because I think it is important that a highly esteemed individual such as myself keep it real lest they experience the dreaded spontaneous non-existance of no longer keeping it real. - Hagbard Celine
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goobler
Reanimated



Registered: 02/24/03
Posts: 48,909
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indeed
push ups are a good allaround way to tone
you want to get stronger you need to do low reps(3-6) high weight(for your max us about 80=90%)
good form is everything
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The_Hobbit
Bilbo Baggins


Registered: 04/06/04
Posts: 1,382
Loc: The Shire
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Re: Pushup questions [Re: goobler]
#5749453 - 06/14/06 12:03 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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I see misinformation in this thread. I read a story at the forum on www.bronzebowpublishing.com that talked about this dude who was benching in the low to mid 200's. He stopped benching and began doing pushups. When he went back to benching, he was pushing over 300.
I think that most people underestimate the effectiveness of bodyweight training because they don't understand exactly how strength is gained. Tension is what does it for you. It's possible to build up a great tension with pushups. Look at Bruce Lee doing 2 finger, one handed pushups. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT1r343pKDA&search=bruce%20lee You cannot do that without the ability to remain relaxed, while focusing tension to appropriate areas in an effective manner.
I beleive that, if you wish to bench big, you should do just that. However, don't be fooled into beleiving that you need to bench heavy weights. Pushups will give you that capability as well. It just depends on how you train with them. I have always preferred quality over quantity. Think of pushups as a way to balance yourself with perfect leverage against the ground. Consider the possibility for extreme tension, from head to toe, and use it according to your goals.
You can do 500 pushups a day. Or you can do a standing meditation for an hour and then do 1 set of pushups better than any of the many sets that you would have done with a volume routine. It's all about how you want to go about your business. I suggest you spice up your routine with a variety of intensity levels. I like to do 3 finger (thumb, index, middle) pushups (2 handed ofcourse). You can try 1 finger if you like. Just be relaxed and make it a fun experience. That will give you the insight necessary to make competent decisions when trying new things. Also, realize that in order to be most effective you will need to learn the art of meditation - a guided focus in order to acheive your goal. Self awareness. Spacial awareness. Sensitivity and power mixed together - a flexible tension. That is the kind of focus that will make a difference.
I suggest varying your exercises. Handstands, pullups, chins, bodyweight squats, and sprints are all effective.
-------------------- Smoking my hobbit leaf... Please keep in mind that I am just a human being. Please read my posts carefully and interpret their meaning for yourself.
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goobler
Reanimated



Registered: 02/24/03
Posts: 48,909
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Re: Pushup questions [Re: The_Hobbit]
#5749659 - 06/14/06 01:17 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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he used no additional weight when doing pushups?
even if you isolate and do negative reps that guy was just a freak occurance
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The_Hobbit
Bilbo Baggins


Registered: 04/06/04
Posts: 1,382
Loc: The Shire
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Re: Pushup questions [Re: goobler]
#5749742 - 06/14/06 01:43 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
goobler said: he used no additional weight when doing pushups?
even if you isolate and do negative reps that guy was just a freak occurance
You are making an assumption.
-------------------- Smoking my hobbit leaf... Please keep in mind that I am just a human being. Please read my posts carefully and interpret their meaning for yourself.
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goobler
Reanimated



Registered: 02/24/03
Posts: 48,909
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Re: Pushup questions [Re: The_Hobbit]
#5752586 - 06/15/06 07:28 AM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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of course I am
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The_Hobbit
Bilbo Baggins


Registered: 04/06/04
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Re: Pushup questions [Re: goobler]
#5753689 - 06/15/06 01:56 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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I don't mean to imply that you aren't entitled to your opinion, but nobody will make an informed decision based on heresay where there is concrete evidence to prove otherwise. Go check out that forum if you are skeptical and you'll see all kinds of first-hand stories, advice, and links to well-known strongmen who've used bodyweight calisthenics and isometric contracts to gain incredible strength.
Look at shaolin monks, for example. They can do things like balance their whole bodies on a dull spear poking into their lower chest. That is the kind of tension that only an extremely skilled and dedicated person can master, but it gives you an idea as to how far you can go and what kind of strength results you can see simply by doing bodyweight stuff. There really is no limit to what you can do.
Even a 2 finger handstand. =) http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38271000/jpg/_38271618_shaolin2_150.jpg
-------------------- Smoking my hobbit leaf... Please keep in mind that I am just a human being. Please read my posts carefully and interpret their meaning for yourself.
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goobler
Reanimated



Registered: 02/24/03
Posts: 48,909
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Re: Pushup questions [Re: The_Hobbit]
#5753836 - 06/15/06 02:35 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
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no thanks, I prefer to live with blinders
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