100 Pushups, Etc>

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Bridge
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100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by Bridge »

A group of friends were over the other day and we were discussing fitness. It was brought up about the sites on the internet that claim you can do 100 pushups in one set after 7 weeks. We then tried to do as many pushups as we could do. I really pushed it hard and did 71, the most I have done in a long, long time. The most I ever did in my life was 85 in one set. I wonder how many guys on the forum can do 100 pushups in a row, or for that matter 100 situps or squats in a row. I can do 100 situps by really pushing it, and 100 deep knee bends or squats, too, but it takes a huge effort. Atlas says to train and not strain, and this is the best policy. It is said if you continually push day after day to always do more, you will burn out your central nervous system. Any thoughts on this?
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Re: 100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by nils123 »

I have some friends in college who followed that program, it was a great program and they ended up being pretty strong.

I don't know about the central nervous system, I think that those problems are overplayed, but i'm young so I don't really worry about those things like I should.

The charles atlas program will make you look stronger.

My friend at the end of the 100 push ups program could do more push ups, but I look like a super hero while he's still small.

I think the Charles Atlas course focuses a little bit more around whole body development, and gaining muscle, instead of just strength gains.
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Re: 100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by uhlaw97 »

I can do over 100 push-ups before reaching muscle failure.

I advocate doing a set of push-ups until you feel muscle fatigue, resting a few minutes, then doing another set, and then repeating the process again for a third seat.

Over a period of months, the number of push-ups (or "dips" as we Atlas fans like to call them) you can do will rapidly increase.
Bridge
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Re: 100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by Bridge »

How long did it take you to work up to doing 100 reps in one set?
Bridge
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Re: 100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by Bridge »

I tried this method this morning. Instead of doing 4 sets of 25 of the core exercises, I did one set of 45 reps, one of 30 reps, and one set of 25 reps. I still got in 100 reps, but in 3 sets instead of 4, and it felt good. I will try this method and see if I can build up my totals a little bit. It's good to mix it up doing your routines, and this is a great alternative.
uhlaw97
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Re: 100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by uhlaw97 »

It could take a number of months to get up to where you can do 100 or more before reaching muscle failure.

However, doing my three sets of push-ups/dips to muscle failure program every other day WILL get you there eventually.

If a person has never exercised in their life, I'd guess that it'll probably take them a few months to get up to doing 50 at once, and maybe six months or so before they can get up to around 100...........ultimately, everyone reaches their limit and plateaus out.

Since everyone is different, it can be hard for me to predict exactly how long it'll take. For a long time, I could only do about 60 push-ups at one time. But once I started doing three sets to muscle failure 3 or 4 times per week, it only took me about 3 months or so to get up to 100 or more.
Bridge
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Re: 100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by Bridge »

Uhlaw97, do you do all of your exercises every other day? Thanks in advance for your reply.
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Re: 100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by uhlaw97 »

Bridge,

Yes, I do exercises like push-ups every other day.

In general, I embrace Atlas' apparatus free approach, and his combination of bodyweight calisthenics and isotonic self-resistance exercises.

About the only area where Atlas and I part ways is that I believe that a chinning bar is essential in every home, and I regularly perform chins of various kinds.
Bridge
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Re: 100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by Bridge »

I am trying your approach of every other day, and it seems that I feel stronger and less tired this way. On the days that I don't do my DT exercises, I take long walks of 4-5 miles. This routine seems to suit me. I am trying to decide which chinning bar to buy. I think I prefer the ones that are removeable and don't require screws in the door frame. I agree with you that chinups/pullups are really essential in a complete bodyweight exercise routine. Best regards.
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Re: 100 Pushups, Etc>

Post by curdog »

Someone on this thread said that it is good to mix it up a bit when doing dips. I have recently noticed that my upper chest development was lacking, so I started doing decline dips to work the upper chest more. I was surprised that when I put my feet up on a chest instead of on the floor, I could barely finish 100 no matter how many sets it took me. By the end, I don't like to admit it, I was doing as little as ten in a set. But, it did work the upper chest more. I have discovered there are many ways to do dips. Incline, decline, arm raised on one side to work one side of the chest more intently, rapidly, slowly. The varieties are endless. Thats one of the advantages of the Atlas system. its like vanilla ice cream with any topping you like.
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