pushups

[mkunkel]

Is it okay to do pushups the day before/after an upper body weight workout? For example, if I know I'm going to miss an upper body workout, I'd like to do pushups, just to do something. But is it okay to do a regular upper body workout (chest, shoulders, everything) the day after? I recall (I think) in a previous pushup thread that somebody mentioned they do pushups everyday. I wonder if that'd be beneficial or overdoing it.

Thanks in advance for any advice you all have to offer.

Melissa

 

[Aquajock]

IMHO, it's fine to bang out a few sets of push-ups on a non-upper-body day (which I like to do myself), and yes it's fine to do an upper body set the day after you've done some push-up sets. If you do frequent sets of push-ups on frequent days, you may want to pay a little extra attention to the muscle groups that AREN'T recruited by push-ups (upper back, rear deltoids, middle deltoids, biceps) during your upper body set so that you maintain equal strength among all groups.

A-jock

 

[mkunkel]

Greetings Aquajock from a former Minnesotan.

Thanks for the advice. That's what I was hoping to hear. And I will heed your advice on paying extra attention to those muscles not hit by push-ups.

Another question for you, if you don't mind. What's your take on how often to work abs? I've read conflicting opinions - some say give them a rest like any other muscle group, some say you can work them everyday.

Thanks again,
Melissa

 

[Aquajock]

RE: Melissa - re abs

IMHO, you do not need to work abs every day; I work mine at each workout session (4-5 sessions per week, 2 aqua workouts and 2-3 land workouts). Whether it's safe to work them every day is, I'm sure, another subject of intense debate; whether it's effective lies, I think, with the individual exerciser.

I would predict that if you are taller, with a longer torso, your entire core region (including abs and erector spinae) could indeed benefit from more frequent workouts; if you are shorter with a shorter torso you might not need to do as much simply for the leverage equation.

I think a good well-rounded program that incorporates traditional crunches for the rectus abdominus, obliques and transversus, supine and prone plank work for the entire core, and prone spinal hyperextensions (variations of the "superman" pose) each week should get you a good strong core; it's important not to overtrain the abdominals at the expense of the spine.

Hope this helps!

A-Jock

(btw, where in Minnesota were you, and why did you leave? the horrible weather in january/february perchance?)

a-j