Power to the Push-Ups
By
Ryan Minney
In an age where everyone cares greatly about their bench press, something very
important has been forgotten. It’s a little minuscule workout that is
everything—the push-up.
Last year, I worked with a high school football team, and I saw something
very scary—kids who could bench 250–300 lbs but couldn’t perform a single
push-up! The importance of push-ups has completely gone out the window, and I
have no idea why or how. If you’re an athlete and you can’t hold your body in a
plank position, yet you can bench 300 lbs, you aren’t strong at all. I would go
as far as to say you’re a “weak bastard.” I don’t care how much you weigh. You
should be able to do a single, perfect, push-up or get the hell out of my face
with what you bench press. This is day one stuff!
I’m going to lay it out for you right here. You can practice in your backyards,
garages, and living rooms so that you don’t embarrass yourself in public.
How a push-up should look
Your body should be tight and flat, not curved up or with your low back swayed
down like an old horse. You should be in a straight line as if you were laying
on the floor. You should be able to pinch a silver dollar between your butt
cheeks. Tighten it up! (I know you’re a tight ass about your bench form, so do
the same here big man!)
Your hands should grip the floor. Don’t push the floor away from you but hold on
to it like you’re holding on to your last remaining shred of dignity. Keep your
elbows tight to your sides. Save the chicken wings for the bar. You’ve failed
when you can’t keep your body straight and tight.
Here’s a simple progression:
Step 1: Grab a bench, chair, truck tail gate, or whatever. I don’t give a
crap. Just get your shoulder elevated because you can’t support your body weight
yet. Do three sets. The first two sets should be to submaximal effort (leave two
or three in the tank). For the last set, perform as many as possible. Do this
every other day or throw it in after your bench press on your upper body day(s).
Step 2: Congratulations! You can do 25 elevated push-ups now—in a row! So
get rid of the elevation and start working on performing a push-up on a flat
surface. Once you can get 25 in a row on a flat surface, take some of your bad
ass bench chains, throw them around your neck, and weight your push-ups.
If you go flat and can’t get three repetitions, go to half of your old
elevation. Wash, rinse, and repeat step one.
Step 3: Challenge your friends who can’t do push-ups and bury their
asses. Impress the ladies!
Ryan Minney is a coach at Strength and Power Systems. For more information,
visit
Http://ryanminney.blogspot.com.
Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the strength
training industry by providing the highest quality strength training products
and services while providing the highest level of customer service in the
industry. For the best training equipment, information, and accessories, visit
us at www.EliteFTS.com.
