100 Push-Ups Challenge
With my usual fall races gone the way of Apocalypse 2020, weight training in a gym still a risky proposition, and a return to the pool imminent, I wondered if now is the time to raise my upper body game.
Within my thrice-weekly Body Work programme, I've incorporated 3 sets of push-ups, routinely achieving a total of 65-80 reps. While lying exhausted on the carpet one morning, I remembered the "100 push-up challenge". Following a beguilingly simple training plan, it should be possible within six weeks, to go from rag-doll to rock star, hitting the century mark for this venerable exercise.
I will start Oct 12, with the intent to make it to 100 by Thanksgiving. There are a couple of web sites which offer FREE plans; this is the one I'll use: https://hundredpushups.com/index.html (Here's another: http://www.100pushups.net)
If enough ENers want to join in, we can build a spreadsheet to keep public track of how we're doing on the road to bigger, badder pecs.
Comments
Let's do it @Al Truscott !
I'm in @Al Truscott !
@scott dinhofer @Jeff Phillips @Paul Hough Today I started @ "Week 3", based on my initial test of 35 push-ups. 5 sets, 60' rest between each, 12,17,13,13,17 => 72 total. Hard to imagine i can go from 35 to 100 in 4 weeks...
@Al Truscott it looks like the plan you linked to is ~3 days per week?
@Al - I will test on Wednesday and get going. After my gym closed in March for COVID, I started doing functional work at home and found that I could do precisely ZERO push-ups. I started working them into my dryland program but haven't really tried to get too high. I did 2 sets of 28 this morning, so expect that I will be in the low 30s when I test. Getting to 100 by Thanksgiving is a stretch goal, but even if I get over 60 that will be success.
@Al Truscott - put up a tracking sheet (please)
@scott dinhofer I will get to the Google Sheet on Tuesday. Today was disrupted when somebody asked me on a 2+ hour ride @ 1:30 PM, when I'd already done my body work, and swam 45' (max @ the pool)
@Jeff Phillips Yes, Monday, Wed, Friday is when I'm doing it. Allows for standard muscle recovery/rebuild, I guess.
@Paul Hough Don't try doing pull-ups, that'll REALLY depress you...
Link to google sheet simple tracker:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-LTmyIhjKMh6SozGxLmyuwqVAeEgq2IUzzjASlGsOx8/edit#gid=0
I’m in!
grant permission.
Also need access to the spread sheet.
Hi @Al Truscott I sent a request for access to the tracking sheet. 95 push-ups today across the 5 sets. It's been awhile since I've cranked out that many
@Brian McCartan Link to the google sheet earlier in this thread, then click on request access...
@Derrek Sanks @Jeff Phillips @Paul Hough @Scott Imlay @scott dinhofer access should have been granted to you all.
Up to 80 in five sets today. I can feel the pump; no burn yet
Just to be clear, @Al Truscott, your goal is to work up to 100 continuous pushups? Or is it three or four sets that add up to 100?
test tonight and hit 40. I admit that I rested in the UP position at 20,
30 and 35 push-ups. I had the advantage of having you test first - MUST -
BEAT - AL !!
OK, my initial test was 50 consecutive push-ups (no rest). I've been doing 100 per day since January (usually 30, 25, 25, 20) but this is a significant bump in effort. Honestly 100 consecutive pushups seems rather impossible right now, but I'll follow the plan and try to make it happen!
wow do I suck!!! 20 on my test, Game on!
So guys to we start on Monday as week one? Or just go now?
I decided also do 20 pull-ups and 200 sit-ups by Thanksgiving..
Figured if I am working Chest, should also work Back and Core.
I am using the “Just 6 Week” app on iOS
Week 3, Day 3: 22, 30, 20, 20, 23
This is fun
Thanks @Al Truscott . I will test tomorrow and start next week!
I am in.
Will test today and post results to start tomorrow.
also, need access please
Ok, I got 25
140 total push-ups in 8 sets this morning. I think I must be using the other program @Al Truscott recommended since it seems to be ramping more quickly. I'll do the next session on Wed then retest either Friday or Saturday.
Failed on the last set, only 16 instead of 25, even with extra recovery time between sets. So I will repeat week three at least once...
14, 18,14,14,21 this AM. Last set hurt
25, 29, 25, 25, 18. How are you all doing the last set? My target for the last set was 36+, but I just ripped out the 18 without stopping. I could've done more had I gone to my knees and/ or taken breaks. How are you all doing the last set -- straight through, with breaks, on knees, all the above?
What is this Knees? I have been just trying to do as many as I can on the last set. It gets pretty wobbly but I just hold a plank for a bit and try again.
between each). I had to rest in the plank position twice in the last set
and went anaerobic. My program calls for a re-test which I will probably
do Saturday morning.
Wed 20,25,15,15,25
Today 22,30,22,22,28
Slow but sure, on to week 4