100 Push Ups

[TabbRows]

How about squat thrusts?

I have started those and on week 2 of the plan.
What plan i hear you cry just following the push up plan but doing squat thrusts i followd the push up plan last year, stopped but do plan to start up again once i'm setted with the squat thrusts they are hard but its about the challenge

I started out doing the squats as well, but it was too much on knees with menicus tears at that time (7 weeks ago), so I've let the erg serve as the squats proxy for now. As I'm able to handle more activity/weights in my rehab excercises without reaggrevating either knee, I may restart these (mid August?), but definitely at Week 1 Level 1 and no deviation to higher levels or progrssion to subsequent weeks if pain/stiffness occurs during/after squats or erging.

[yoda]

One of the reasons I wanted to try this program was to test my shoulders. Well, they helded up very well, but my hip did not. Yesterday after finishing the last set, as I rose away from the bar, I hear a click in my right hip. I didn't hurt or do anything else, just clicked. Later in the day I was watch the Tour de France and went to get up for a cup of coffee. I took one step and was down on the floor. The hip didn't want to work. After several attempts I got up and limped into the *** DELETE - SPAM ***, got my coffee, and limped back to the couch. We packed ice around the area, then heat, then back to ice again. I got to the point where I was able to walk again, but not without a limp. So, as much as I hate to say it, I'm out of the program until the hitch in my gitty-up goes away. Kinda upsetting since I was only one workout away from completing the whole program. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Yoda

[anthonysemone]

I'm really quite impressed with efficacy with which this "exercise" produces injuries. Looks like if your goal is to get injured, this is the way to go.

tony

[yoda]

I really don't think it has anything to do with the program itself. It seems to me that there are a number of us with phyisical problems that are lending themselves to injury. At least with me, age the age of 68 and all of the metal in this body it stands to reason. I don't see how basic exercises can hurt anyone if they are performed correctly.

Yoda

[anthonysemone]

why in the world w/ pre-existing injuries would you want to do a program that exacerbated them, re-kindled them, ???? them? I just don't understand.

Hell, I'm 71, have been strength training HIT for 10 years, have NEVER been injured by the protocol, have developed more muscular strength than I can ever possibly use, scull OTW x1/week, cycle x1/ every other week, Tabata intervals on my bike, and, when it's raining out and the river is too full/quick/swirling, I do Tabata's on my C2.

Results? At 5'7', I get the following data: 168.8#'s 12.2%BF RHR 57bpm, maxHR C2 (observed) 172, bike 170 (observed); BP 116/78 w/ mAP 88.

tony

[yoda]

Tony,

Congrads on your exercise program and your physical condition. But you're making it sound like each of us are trying to find ways of hurting ourselves. That's not the case. Since I can only speak for myself I'll tell you why I wanted to do this program. The last time I can remember doing 100 pushups in a row was boot camp. I wanted to see if I could do it again. And to see if my shoulders would hold up to the work I was asking them to do. And they did. It wasn't the exercise that caused my problem, it was while getting up after the exercises were completed. Haven't you ever hear of someone rising after tying their shoes and pull a muscle in their back?? Or they bent over to pickup the newspaper and tweaked a muscle in their shoulder?? Hey, it happens to almost everyone. Besides, doing things like this particular program is fun. It's a test of not only the physical side of your being, but the mental side, as well.

Yoda

[anthonysemone]

Yoda,

no, I don't believe any of you all are trying to find ways to injure yourselves. Yet, if you do an exercise and you get injured, or discover a weak link in the chain, why continue to do the same exercise? But hey, whatever floats your boat. I float mine by staying a) as injury free as I can, and b) selecting only those exercises that allow me to remain that way.

good luck for a speedy recovery

tony

[ccwenk]

Thought that I would check back in with my progress, or lack thereof. I said before that I took 4 tries to get through Week 3, Day 1 on level 3. I then took 8 tries to get through Week 3, Day 2. I did the first 4 sets successfully from the start, but had to progress from 12 on the final set up to 25. I had several times where I took 2 days off between workouts. Today will be my first time doing Week 3, Day 3. I am on track to take about 2 months to complete the 6 week program from here out, but I imagine that I will slow down even more going forward.

[Big Chris]

I know what you mean I have done week 3 for the 3rd time. I finally completed it this week and will move to week 4 next week. I keep getting busy with work and have a hard time sticking with the program.

[tap]

I had recently completed Week 4 column 1 with a progress test of 30 so I figured Week 4 column 3 would be up next until I noticed that I was supposed to perform a fifth set of 32! Obviously, the reps for this program were not thoroughly thought out.

Next, I tried week 3 column 3 Day 1 twice but could not complete it (max of 12 and 14) so now I will try Week 3 Column 2 Day 1. I started the program on July 8th.

[TabbRows]

Honestly guys, you need to rachet down the macho in following this program. This program wasn't designed to do multiple repeats of a particular set then jump around to other levels or sets, or even start at week 4 level 3 and try to do only the last 3 weeks. Skipping around will lead to injuries, poor motivation and lack of improvement. Same holds true for any weight training or erg training program.

The very first thing to master here is proper form! Look at the demos, and then watch yourself in the mirror, just like erging. If you have the proper form, then use the first test to determine what level of week 1 to start at. The reps on that level are meant to be progressive for that week.
Once you reach the next exhaust test test, use that test to determine the level for the next week or series of weeks. If you fail on the first day of the new week new level begin the next session at a lower level (or if on level 1, using an alternative method for pushups noted in the program). And yes these sets get harder and longer as they go and supposedly as you progress.

At the end of 6 weeks, you should show marked progression. 100 pushups, maybe not but if you start out doing 15 and end up doing 45 that's a huge gain! Want to keep going? Re test and start over for another 6 weeks. Reached the 100? Repeat week 6 until easy then do 100 without stopping every other day.

I'm now on week 2, level 2, on my second go round here. My exhaust test later this week will determine if I do Week 3 as level 1 or 2. The big improvement here for me is I'm no longer doing these on my knees.

[Big Chris]

Tabb I dont know what you mean by accusing everyone of being macho. Hell I stepped back from level 3 week 3 to repeat level 2 week 3 before moving on and it has nothing to do with not being able to sucessfully comoplete a level it has to do with having to stop and restart the program.

I just finished week 3 level 2 and now will do week 3 level 3 to get back to where I was. So watch the finger pointing!!

[tap]

I thought that I was following the instructions. Here are my workouts to date:

>> Initial test of 25.
1 Selected Week 3 Day 1 Column 2 based on initial test. Failed at fourth set with only 8 and max of 6.
2. Repeated Week 3 Day 1 Column 2. Failed at third set with only 7, 4th set with 7. and max of 6. Figured I must not be doing push-ups properly and reviewed push-up technique.
3. Assumed that I could do about 20 well formed push-ups so chose Week 3 Day 1 Column 1 and could hit max of 13.
4. Week 3 Day 2 Column 1 with max of 18.
5. Week 3 Day 2 Column 1 with a max of 18.
6. Week 4 Day 1 Column 1 failed with max of 7.
7. Week 4 Day 1 Column 1 with a max of 16.
8. Week 4 Day 2 Column 1 with max of 18.
9. Week 4 Day 3 Column 1 with max of 21.
>> Progress Test: 30
10. Week 3 Day 1 Column 3 (Week 4 Day 1 Column 3 appeared unrealistic) failed with max of 12.
11. Week 3 Day 1 Column 3 failed with max of 14.
12. Week 3 Day 1 Column 2 with max of 18.
13. Next up: Week 3 Day 2 Column 2.

The workouts are very exhausting. My muscles don't like me for a couple of days.

[brigman]

Hmmm, the macho thing is a tough call. If that's the approach you need to take to get fit and live longer, then go for it; it's a personal thing. Personally, I prefer to exercise with my heart as opposed to my ego. I always try to exercise for 80+ minutes straight, and as a result, I pick exercises (like hopping on the C2) that lend themselves to that goal.

I row to a set heart rate. If, 15 minutes in, I'm finding it all way to easy, I bump it by 5-10 bpm for the duration. Sometimes my power output makes me proud, other times I just have to accept that there'll be better times; either way, I did good. I currently perform 20km rows every 2 days (ideally) and am looking to bump that to 24km.

[Big Chris]

Has anyone completed the challange?

I am finally halfway through week 5 and meetiing all of the goals per set next week will be week 6 and then the final test