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What's the quickest way to increase the number of push ups I can handle? Should I do as many sets of them as I can or should I as many reps within a set?
Should I do as many sets of them as I can or should I as many reps within a set?
If you want to increase the total number you do, then go for the max you can do in one set. Essentially max out. At that point you shouldn't be able to do much more that day (meaning, you shouldn't be able to do many more sets), and in theory you shouldn't be able to do these again the next day cause you'll be sore. Get a day of rest, then try to beat that previous number.
If you want to increase the total number you do, then go for the max you can do in one set. Essentially max out. At that point you shouldn't be able to do much more that day (meaning, you shouldn't be able to do many more sets), and in theory you shouldn't be able to do these again the next day cause you'll be sore. Get a day of rest, then try to beat that previous number.
Thanks, I've been doing the method you described and alternating it 2 days later with doing as many sets of 10 that I can handle. Two days after that, I switch back to maxing out in one set (then adding a couple short sets afterwards to make sure I really did max out).
Do you think my combination method will help or hurt? My goal is to do 50 consecutively.
What's the quickest way to increase the number of push ups I can handle? Should I do as many sets of them as I can or should I as many reps within a set?
Also vary your hand placement each set as well. Do a few narrow, wide, medium, etc. Be sure to keep your whole body tight through each rep.
What's the quickest way to increase the number of push ups I can handle? Should I do as many sets of them as I can or should I as many reps within a set?
I don't know. I once asked a coach a similar question about running intervals. I wanted to run 10 half-mile repeats at about 5.5 min/mile pace (11 mph). I asked if I should a)run 10 repeats at the same pace, gradually increasing that pace week by week, or b)run the last (10th) repeat at 11 mph, then, the last two, then three, and so on, till I was running all 10 repeats at my goal of 11 mph. The answer from the coach was that it didn't really matter. I ended up going with the latter approach, only because I found it agreeable to increase speed later in the workout when I was well warmed-up.
As for doing pushups, it's a very good exercise, but I advise getting a device called the 'perfect pushup,' which allows you to do them without bending the wrist so much. Or you can avoid bending your wrists so much by doing them inclined instead of flat on the floor. For example, I used to do push ups w/ my hands on a picnic table and feet on the ground.
A few years ago I really did a number on the tendon in my left wrist by doing too many conventional-style pushups. It took over a year to heal. After that I switched to using the perfect push up or incline method.
As for doing pushups, it's a very good exercise, but I advise getting a device called the 'perfect pushup,' which allows you to do them without bending the wrist so much. Or you can avoid bending your wrists so much by doing them inclined instead of flat on the floor. For example, I used to do push ups w/ my hands on a picnic table and feet on the ground.
Or, if you're at the gym, just grab 2 dumbells of any weight (not circular, but hexagonal which most gyms have) and do pushups with your hands gripping the dumbells.
It's easier on the wrists for sure, but I just can't help but feel like I'm cheating when doing it this way.
Once I was able to do 40 regular pushups I started doing decline push-ups and now I can do 65 regular push ups. I only do one set at the beginning of my workout.
What's the quickest way to increase the number of push ups I can handle? Should I do as many sets of them as I can or should I as many reps within a set?
First question is why do you want to increase the number of pushups you can do? The only reason I can think of is for a physical fitness test.
The only time I do pushups is when I don't have access to weights. I could never understand guys who go to the gym and do pushups. If you can do 50 or a 100 pushups, so what? Once you can do about 15 pushups, they no longer have any benefit. With weights I increase the weight if I can do more that 6-8 reps. It is not so easy to do that with pushups unless you wear a weighted vest or elevate the lower part of your body. The same is true with dips. Once I could do 15 reps, I bought a belt that allows me to hang weights from the belt. Exercise is all about increaing the resistance.
Regarding your original question, I would do both but always do as many reps as possible. If you can do 30 pushups, it won't do you much good to do 5 sets of 10 pushups. Do 3 sets of as many reps as you can with a minute or two rest between sets.
First question is why do you want to increase the number of pushups you can do? The only reason I can think of is for a physical fitness test.
Yes, it's for the Army PT test.
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