Hundred Pushups Week 6 Day 3

Full push up animation

It is kind of sad that my six weeks are already over. When I started, I thought 6 weeks of pushups was forever. Many of the folks who started the challenge with me forgot workouts or decided to quit. That is easier to do at the start. The first two weeks are the hardest for most people. By the third week, I was amazed at the improvements in my upper body strength. I looked forward to every workout.

Here are my last 100 pushups program sets 20, 20, 17, 17, 15, 15, 14, 14, 36 = 168 total pushups, the total is two less than Wed. I think I'll take my final test on Sunday, after a rest day off.

I'm still wondering what to do next. I know I will continue my twice weekly total body weight resistance workouts, but think it would be fun to do some special challenge. Do you have any ideas? Let me know!

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Hundred Pushups Week 6 Day 2

Workout was very smooth today. I did these sets: 22, 22, 20, 20, 17, 17, 15, 15, 42 = 170 total pushups. Last 42 pushups took 55 seconds. It was right on schedule with the column 1 workout. That is 30 more pushups than ever before! Even if it isn't a more difficult column, it is still a great workout with a 21% improvement over Friday and Monday's 140 pushups.

I used a scale to see just how much I'm pushing up each repetition. The weight on my hands, when I do my good form pushups, is 100 lbs even. So today I lifted 1,700 pounds in a matter of minutes. I timed my last set of 42 pushups at 55 seconds.

After a ten minute rest, we started our 60 minute total body weight resistance workout. For the six minutes of bench pressing, I used 45 lbs. That's the most I've ever used during that intense workout. After my shower, Sue took photos of my chest and back. I'm really happy with the results of the 100 pushups program.

Join us in our 100 pushups challenge.

Hundred Pushups Week 6 Day 1

I'm feeling good, having finished my hundredpushups.com workout for week 6 day 1. Did 47, 30, 20, 22, 21 = 140 pushups. Same total as Friday. Not really a great workout today. The minimum workout for today is 42, 35, 32, 30, 42 = 181 pushups. Monday is always the hardest workout. The two day break doesn't work for me, at least it makes the Monday workout seem impossible every week.

Since I wasn't able to do the required number of pushups, I decided to go to failure for every set. I didn't where my fitness monitor today. It didn't seem worth the trouble to put it on, since I've not even reached my lower pulse for HiiT interval training, 136 BPM. Though my pulse felt higher today that Friday.

If you are doing the workout, please post your comments about how you are doing. What is your hardest 100 pushups workout day? Why? You can also use this contact link to share your opinion, I may post your comment for you, unless you say you don't want it posted. Any questions or comments are appreciated. I moderate comments to avoid spammers. You can comment as anonymous.

What will I do on Wed? Still thinking about that. First thought is that I will continue with the week 6 day 2 column 1 workout. Any opinions?

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Hundred Pushups Week 5 Day 3

I didn't do it correctly. It was supposed to be 8 sets. I did 9! My maximum pulse was 117 beats per minute on the last set. The nine sets turned out as follows 16, 14, 14, 14, 12, 12, 10, 10, 38 = 140 total pushups.

One issue that I've wondered about during the 100 pushups challenge is, "What are the disadvantages of doing the program?"

• People asking if you've gained weight, because your chest is so much bigger and shirts are tighter.
• You have to live with the feeling of muscles growing in most of your upper body. Some call this pain, but we're aiming for a good healthy soreness.
• You give up 30 minutes of TV or Internet a week.
• You can injure yourself, if you don't warm-up first.
• You have a bigger appetite to feed the additional lean muscle mass.
  
• You could be attacked my women at the beach.

Send me your comments or additional disadvantages!

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Hundred Pushups Week 5 Day 2

Marksman Competes in Pushups. Photo by courtesy. June 19, 2008

Pfc. Vincent Hancock (right), who has qualified to compete in Skeet at the Olympic Games in Beijing, competes here in a push-up contest with a member of the public in Times Square, New York.

I see Vincent, in the yellow shirt, uses the same push up form I do. After Monday's killer workout, this was a walk in the park! I'm not ready for US Army boot camp, but I'm definitely ready for lunch! I followed-up my pushups with Body Pump # 60. I'm excited about Friday's workout to see what I'll be able to do.

Here is my new progress chart. I added the date of each workout and my max pulse rate during the workout. I reached my max pulse of 122 bpm during the final set of 40 pushups. My pulse mounted steadily from 99, 100, 102, 105, 122 for the five sets.

Date	#	Day	1	2	3	4	5	Tot	max pulse
14-Jul-08	1	Mon	10	10	8	6	16	48
16-Jul-08	2	Wed	12	12	10	10	16	60
18-Jul-08	3	Fri	15	13	10	10	17	65
21-Jul-08	4	Mon	12	12	9	8	16	56
23-Jul-08	5	Wed	16	13	11	11	18	69
25-Jul-08	6	Fri	15	15	12	12	17	71
28-Jul-08	7	Mon	25	17	17	15	15	89
30-Jul-08	8	Wed	22	17	17	15	25	96
1-Aug-08	9	Fri	25	19	19	17	24	104
4-Aug-08	10	Mon	22	16	16	14	22	90
7-Aug-08	11	Wed	22	17	17	15	25	96
9-Aug-08	12	Fri	25	19	19	17	26	106
11-Aug-08	13	Mon	35	28	17	17	30	127
13-Aug-08	14	Wed	17	16	14	12	40	99	127

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Hundred Pushups Week 5 Day 1

Did my pre-week 5 test Sunday evening, while I was doing my evening swim. I felt like I was going to do 50 push ups for the test, but only made it to 38. When I looked at the program for week 5, I found that 36-40 puts me on the 2nd column again this week. So that is OK.

I didn't make my goals for today for sets 3-5. I should have waited another day after doing the test yesterday! Goals were 35, 28, 25, 22, 35+. Did 35, 28, 17, 17, 30 = 127 pushups in less than 10 min. Pretty awesome for a 52 year old man! I'm not complaining. I still did 21 more pushups than my previous record of 106!

One thing that I learned today, my hands are a lot wider than they should be. My wife's ACE Personal Trainer Manual says we should "place hands shoulder width apart." For me that would be 18" I've been doing elbow width, 18" apart, like Tarzan on the right. So I guess I'm focusing more on my pectoral muscles than my triceps.

Here is a chart, with day, number of repetitions for each of the five sets and total push ups:

1. Mon. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16 = 48
2. Wed. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16 = 60
3. Fri. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17 = 65
4. Mon. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16 = 56
5. Wed. 16, 13, 11, 11, 18 = 69
6. Fri. 15, 15, 12, 12, 17 = 71
7. Mon. 25, 17, 17, 15, 15 = 89
8. Wed. 22, 17, 17, 15, 25 = 96
9. Fri. 25, 19, 19, 17, 24 = 104
10. Mon. 22, 16, 16, 14, 22 = 90
    
11. Wed. 22, 17, 17, 15, 25 = 96
12. Fri. 25, 19, 19, 17, 26 = 106
13. Mon. 35, 28, 17, 17, 30 = 127

We're starting to discuss what our next workout will be after we finish the 100 pushups program. Rob at http://www.bloggeries.com and I are considering a six week pull up program. What do you think?

Join us in our 100 pushups challenge.

Hundred Pushups Week 4 Day 3

Feeling good after my 100 pushups workout. My sets today were 25, 19, 19, 17, 26 = 106 total pushups. It seems that the 3rd workout of the week is always my easiest. The first is the killer workout for me.

I'd like to share some of my techniques today. I've been using a couple of plastic coated dumb bells for hand grips. They take the stress off my hands and allow me to get a nice dip for good form. I've positioned my toes and dumb bell grips at the same place every time since the start. I'm 5'6" (168cm). The distance between my thumbs from one hand to the other is 26" (66cm). The distance from my knuckles to my toes is 52.5" (133cm). When I do this program next time, I'll adjust those measurements. That way, I'll work different muscles and provide variety.

Here is a chart, with day, number of repetitions for each of the five sets and total push ups:

1. Mon. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16 = 48
2. Wed. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16 = 60
3. Fri. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17 = 65
4. Mon. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16 = 56
5. Wed. 16, 13, 11, 11, 18 = 69
6. Fri. 15, 15, 12, 12, 17 = 71
7. Mon. 25, 17, 17, 15, 15 = 89
8. Wed. 22, 17, 17, 15, 25 = 96
9. Fri. 25, 19, 19, 17, 24 = 104
10. Mon. 22, 16, 16, 14, 22 = 90
    
11. Wed. 22, 17, 17, 15, 25 = 96
12. Fri. 25, 19, 19, 17, 26 = 106

We're starting to discuss what our next workout will be after we finish the hundred pushups program. Rob at http://www.bloggeries.com and I are considering a six week pull up program. Would you like to join us?

Join us in the hundred pushups challenge.

Gaining strength, muscle or endurance?

Jeff asked this question after my week 4 day 2 hundred push up workout:

What kind of gains are you seeing? Strength, muscle or endurance?

Strength is improving. I'm adding more weight to my bench work, even though I'm doing it less than 20 minutes after my push up workout.

Muscle mass is increasing. My wife pointed it out to me, then I notice my shirts are getting tighter across my chest.

Endurance is the most dramatic gain. As you see from my week 4 day 2 workout chart, I've gone from struggling through 48 pushups the first day to over 100 pushups now.

A whole week of workouts takes only 30 minutes. I've been doing one hour of weight training 1-3 times a week for over 4 years. This program is pretty effective at breaking through my chest and shoulder plateau.

I invite you to join me in the hundred pushups challenge. You can only lose 30 minutes a week. If you start with only 5 push ups, I guarantee you will enjoy an even higher percentage of improvement than I am. If you're already a strong guy or gal, you still might be able to double your current number of pushups.

If you would like me as your accountability partner, join Plurk by clicking on this link. Register at Plurk by clicking on the link on the top right of the time line with the red background. You will automatically become my Plurk fan. After I add you as my friend, let me know you want to do the 100 push up challenge with me. Go for it!

Hundred Pushups Week 4 Day 2

I beat the minimum required on the last set, 20 pushups, by 25%, 25 push ups! My total for today, my 11th workout, was 96 pushups. That's the same as last Wed. I just looked over the chart. I'm doing column two in the printout this week. I have the same workout this week as last week on days 2 and 3. That surprises me.

Here is a chart, with day, number of repetitions for each of the five sets and total push ups:

1. Mon. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16 = 48
2. Wed. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16 = 60
3. Fri. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17 = 65
4. Mon. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16 = 56
5. Wed. 16, 13, 11, 11, 18 = 69
6. Fri. 15, 15, 12, 12, 17 = 71
7. Mon. 25, 17, 17, 15, 15 = 89
8. Wed. 22, 17, 17, 15, 25 = 96
9. Fri. 25, 19, 19, 17, 24 = 104
10. Mon. 22, 16, 16, 14, 22 = 90
    
11. Wed. 22, 17, 17, 15, 25 = 96
    

I'm still wondering how to maintain these gains after the 6 or more weeks it may take to get to 100 consecutive pushups.

Join me in the hundred pushups challenge.

Hundred Pushups Week 4 Day 1

Feel weak. I felt tired all weekend. I don't know if I have a bug, or it is my body focusing resources on muscle building. Seems to me that the extra day break between Friday and Monday hurt my performance. Is that possible?

I'm doing column two in the printout this week. It felt good to make it to the minimum required on the last set, 22 push ups! My total for today, my 10th workout, was 90 pushups. That's just one push up better than last Monday.

Here is a chart, with day, number of repetitions for each of the five sets and total push ups:

1. Mon. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16 = 48
2. Wed. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16 = 60
3. Fri. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17 = 65
4. Mon. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16 = 56
5. Wed. 16, 13, 11, 11, 18 = 69
6. Fri. 15, 15, 12, 12, 17 = 71
7. Mon. 25, 17, 17, 15, 15 = 89
8. Wed. 22, 17, 17, 15, 25 = 96
9. Fri. 25, 19, 19, 17, 24 = 104
10. Mon. 22, 16, 16, 14, 22 = 90
    

I'm still wondering how to maintain these gains after the 6 or more weeks it may take to get to 100 consecutive pushups.

Join me in the hundred pushups challenge.

Hundred Pushups Week 3 Day 3

Did column 2 again today. It went real well. I was kind of afraid that I wouldn't make it to 22 for the last set, as I was struggling at set 3 to get to 19. However, I actually made it to 24 for #5. So I did 25, 19, 19, 17, 24 for the five levels. It is cool that I broke the 100 barrier with a total of 104 push ups today. I really need to celebrate reaching the halfway point of my 6 week commitment to the hundred pushups challenge.

After 5 min rest I started my 60 min Body Pump #45 workout. I went ahead and did everything with my normal weights, including bench fly work and bench presses.

Check out Body Pump at BODYPUMP Group Fitness Program - Les Mills Global I've been doing it 1 to 3 times a week since 2004. However, this pushup program is pushing me to new levels of strength.

Here is a chart of my repetitions for each of the five sets and total push ups for each workout to date:

1. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16 = 48
2. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16 = 60
3. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17 = 65
4. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16 = 56
5. 16, 13, 11, 11, 18 = 69
6. 15, 15, 12, 12, 17 = 71
7. 25, 17, 17, 15, 15 = 89
8. 22, 17, 17, 15, 25 = 96
9. 25, 19, 19, 17, 24 = 104
   

I'm still wondering how to maintain these gains after the 6 or more weeks it may take to get to 100 consecutive pushups.

Join me in the hundred pushups challenge.

Hundred Pushups Week 3 Day 2

After my discouraging finish on Monday, I decided to drop down to column two in the printout for an easier workout today. I really have to swallow my pride. This time I did the complete push up training before starting my BODY PUMP workout. I felt better about that. I will try to do it that way in the future.

My push up training went a lot better today. That is for sure. Today's total was an amazing 96 pushups as follows: 22, 17, 17, 15, 25. The last set was actually 5 more than the minimum of 20 required pushups! Going down to the 2nd column was definitely a good choice for my bruised ego.

Here is a chart of my repetitions for each of the five sets and total push ups for each workout to date:

1. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16 = 48
2. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16 = 60
3. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17 = 65
4. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16 = 56
5. 16, 13, 11, 11, 18 = 69
6. 15, 15, 12, 12, 17 = 71
7. 25, 17, 17, 15, 15 = 89
8. 22, 17, 17, 15, 25 = 96
   

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Hundred Pushups Week 3 Day 1

It is great to be more than 1/3 of the way through my 6 week commitment to hundredpushups.com training. So far so good. My wife is seeing good progress in my pectorals. I am noticing that my shirts are getting tight across my chest. I should have measured before beginning the program.

Today was kind of discouraging. I didn't make my minimum required push ups for the last set. I should have done at least 25, but only made it to 15 before collapsing on the floor. Today's total was a respectable 89 pushups as follows: 25, 17, 17, 15, 15. I'm starting to wonder if it will take 7 weeks to get to 100 consecutive good-form push ups.

Here is a chart of my repetitions for each of the five sets and total push ups for each workout to date:

1. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16 = 48
2. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16 = 60
3. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17 = 65
4. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16 = 56
5. 16, 13, 11, 11, 18 = 69
6. 15, 15, 12, 12, 17 = 71
7. 25, 17, 17, 15, 15 = 89
   

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Hundred Pushups Week 2 Day 3

Wow, I made it through two weeks already! This week was way easier than the first week. If you give the program a try, don't give up because of that first week! You will get used to it pretty fast.

I'm still combining my hundredpushups.com training with my Body Pump weight resistance program. It seems to be working out OK.

I had a pretty intense workout today with a total of 71 pushups as follows: 15, 15, 12, 12, 17. I was glad to be more than the minimum for the last set, but wanted to do like 19. Maybe next week I'll break 20 pushups on the final set! That would be something to celebrate.

Here is a chart of my repetitions for each of the five sets and total push ups for each workout to date:

1. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16 = 48
2. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16 = 60
3. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17 = 65
4. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16 = 56
5. 16, 13, 11, 11, 18 = 69
6. 15, 15, 12, 12, 17 = 71
   

Join me in the hundred pushups challenge.

Hundred Pushups Week 2 Day 2

It is fun! Not as sore this week as the first week. So there is hope for the future.

My pushups for the five sets today were 16, 13, 11, 11, 18.

My max for the final set for the first five days of the workout so far are: 16, 16, 17, 16, 18.

Here is a chart of my repetitions for each of the five sets of each workout:

1. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16
2. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16
3. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17
4. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16
5. 16, 13, 11, 11, 18

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Hundred Pushups Week 2 Day 1

I'm feeling better. I was pretty sore yesterday. This is definitely taking me out of my comfort zone! No pain, no gain!

I did the hardest program again today, column three in the printout. I did the following number of push ups for each of the five sets today: 12, 12, 9, 8, 16. The minimum for the 5th set today was 30% less than Friday, 10 push ups. It felt good to get to 16 push ups on the final set. It was an easy workout today. I only did push ups today, since it is Monday.

Here is a chart of my repetitions for each of the five sets of each workout:

1. 10, 10, 8, 6, 16
2. 12, 12, 10, 10, 16
3. 15, 13, 10, 10, 17
4. 12, 12, 9, 8, 16

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Hundred Pushups Week 1 Day 3

Wow, I'm really feeling the push ups in the muscle just below my deltoids. I thought I was in pretty good shape. Pain is my friend. There must be some good growth going on in there!

It took a lot longer for the push up training today, because I had a 120 second rest between sets. So I started my push up training during my leg workout and continued through my normal chest workout. I did my squats during all my rest breaks between push up sets. That really wore me out!

I did the hardest program again today, column three in the program. I did the following number of push ups for each of the five sets: 15, 13, 10, 10, 17. The minimum for the 5th set today was 50% more than the 2nd day, 15 push ups. I was really happy to get to 17 push ups on the final set. It was a killer workout today. I'm shaking like crazy. I wonder if it is too much to combine my push up training with my regular weight resistance training.

Here is a chart of my training so far:
Day 1: 10, 10, 8, 6, 16
Day 2: 12, 12, 10, 10, 16
Day 3: 15, 13, 10, 10, 17

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Hundred Pushups Week 1 Day 2

I'm feeling the workouts in my chest and back. This will really be a challenge for me.

We do a 60 minute total body weight resistance program called Body Pump by Les Mills every Wednesday and Friday. I decided not to do my regular chest workout today, since I'm doing the push up training. So I replaced that part of my Body Pump workout with the hundredpushups.com training for week 1 day 2.

Like my first day, Monday, I did the hardest program. I did the following number of push ups for the five sets: 12, 12, 10, 10, 16. The minimum for the 5th set today was only 10 push ups. I was really excited to get to 16 push ups on the final set.

Here is a chart of my training so far:
Day 1: 10, 10, 8, 6, 16
Day 2: 12, 12, 10, 10, 16

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Hundred Pushups Week 1 Day 1

I'm committed to do this workout program for the next six weeks. I've decided to do my training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. I'm already doing my weight resistance training on Wednesday and Friday every week. I'll still get my needed day of rest between workouts.

I printed out the PDF file of the hundredpushups.com training program, so I can note on it what I've done each day. As I do each set or level as they are referred to in the PDF document, I check it off. I am noting the date and the number of push ups acheived for each set.

Today, I did the following number of push ups for the five sets: 10, 10, 8, 6, 16. The last set is the only set where you are required to do your maximum number of push ups. They also give a minimum number of push ups that must be acheived. The minimum for the 5th set today was only six push ups. I was really excited to get to 16 push ups on the final set.

Join me in the hundred pushups challenge.

Hundred Pushups Initial Test

The initial test is very important to determine how you will train during the first two weeks. I did the initial test today. I didn't want to be distracted by the various levels of rank, so I did the test without reading the Initial Test Rank Chart at hundredpushups.com

How to do the initial test

To perform the test, simply execute as many good-form push ups as you can. Don't cut corners and please don't cheat - the last thing you want to do is end up in the wrong level of the training program! The results may be humbling, but trust me, honesty is the best policy if you want to maximize your strength gains!

I am very happy with my results. I was able to do 26 good-form push ups. That put me at rank 4 of 7, with 7 being the highest score. To score at rank 7 you need to be able to do more than 125 consecutive good-form push ups. I can't imagine ever being able to score that high. Maybe some day!

Join me in the hundred pushups challenge.

Hundred Pushups Challenge

I ran across this workout program at the Plurk social network. It looked like a fun challenge to gain more strength. It is a six week training program with a goal to complete 100 consecutive push ups. It has training schedules for men and women of various ages and fitness levels. It is assumed that you will need about 30 minutes a week to do this training program. Not a lot of time to achieve a major strength increase.

What will you gain doing push ups?

Push ups are one of the basic and most common exercises for the human body. Push ups are not only great for your chest, but do a tremendous job of defining your abs, triceps, shoulders and torso.

Join me in the hundred pushups challenge. Tomorrow, I'll take the Initial Test. It will determine my current level of push up ability and what training program I'll follow.