12-06-14, 10:43 AM | |
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: S. Illinois
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Just FYI, be sure to include stretching for the chest muscles. This will help to combat tightness in that area. I had been suffering shoulder pain for years (due to hunching over my desk at work, I guess), and just recently went through a couple of rounds of physical therapy. In addition to strengthening exercises for the shoulders, rotator cuff, and back, I was prescribed stretches for the chest. Within a couple of weeks, my pain improved by 80% or more (it's hard to quantify pain!). Anyway, I feel tons better than before the therapy!
Good luck with reaching your goal! Donna
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12-06-14, 02:40 PM | |
VF Supporter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Colorado Springs
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I once read that if you can do 2 sets of 16 push-ups, you will not gain any strength by increasing the number. You gain endurance, but no more muscle strength. You have to do something to make the push-ups harder, such as elevating your feet, slowing the pace etc.
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12-07-14, 08:52 AM | |
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New Jersey
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Thanks for the responses everyone!
KarenP, so you're saying if I'm doing 5 sets of 9 pushups then I should do the same for pullups (pull downs) and rows? Seems reasonable. And yes, Big Bubble is my DH Suzannaerin, I will definitely let you know! It's hard to get there, because I keep starting and stopping, due to soreness, overdoing it, laziness, etc. I will get there though! Sollamyn you are right about stretching. I am usually stretching during the one minute rest in between, but sometimes I forget. I will be sure to look up some other chest stretches on youtube, as it seems that only two that I've tried seem to work. JaneP thanks for the tip! I am trying to go for strength and endurance. Mostly, this started because I wanted to surpass what I was able to do while in the military, but there are so many interesting push up variations, I want to try them all. Currently, I can't even do 2 sets of 16 consecutive pushups, so I guess when I can it will be time to change things up. For some reason, slowing the pace makes it easier for me. Elevating one leg definitely makes it harder!
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"You humans have the potential to be the most wonderful beings there are - if you can get past all these enormous stupid spots you seem to have in your hearts. It's not your fault. You just don't know how to work your hearts right yet. That's why there are dogs." - Jim Butcher, Zoo Day |
Tags |
overtraining chest, pullups, pushups |
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