Pushup challenge? (Page 3)

Ok, my max was 26. I'd like to double that by the end of the month.

My total count will be 1200. 

 It really depends on how you feel.  If at any time during the program you are experiencing soreness level of about 7/10, take a day off.  If you experience any joint pain or any sort of aggravation, take a break until it stops.  I might retest on the third week and repeat the second.  However, I will be sure to take the fourth week off for the most part to fully recover.  I'll probably do something like 20% max randomly throughout the day, but no more than that.  I'm not even sure how I'll do on this program since my max has gone up more than 100 percent since my first time.  The amount of pushups I'll complete in the two-week program has gone from roughly 4500 to 10000, so I'm not sure how I'll hold up.  I'm excited to see how I do though! 

I can't stress enough how important it is to stop and take a break, even for a full day at a time if needed.  I'm pretty hard-headed, so I've pushed myself into injury several times before I finally figured it out. 

Even though my situation is conducive to regular exercise on the job, I've done it before in other jobs as well.  I used to work security, and I was stuck behind a tiny control module  for 8 hours at a time.  Sometimes I'd get to do rounds, consisting of 16 floors of stairs, which was very nice for exercise.  However, even though i had to watch cameras, I had plenty of opportunity to drop and do pushups/situps, squats, even burpees without looking like a complete dork.  Well, maybe I did.  But I don't care.  I think that is key.  Don't be afraid of what people think of you doing brief bouts of exercise while working.  if they give you crap, it's only because they wish they could lead as healthy of lifestyle as you.  And if your BOSS doesn't like it, you can tell him to shove it.  Just kidding.  tell him it gets your blood flowing, and it helps you work more efficiently.  If you work in a cubicle, that should be totally understood and encouraged by the boss. 

Sorry, I'm a rambler.  I say, just don't let anything hold you back from doing what you want to do, especially if it's for your own good/health.  There's always a way to make it happen, and don't let yourself justify any sort of  giving up! 

Absolutely you're in, so start pushing!

We don't want to be exclusive, just want to motivate as many peeps as possible, so we'll keep taking entrants through Sunday.  Everyone in so far just has a head start!

Doing the Russian military pushup experiment I will be doing 1302 push ups this week.  geez.  Did my first two hours.

Question:  If I get tired at any point, is it ok to drop to do girly pushups?  Or break it into two sets?  Just wondering.

Excellent, I was hoping that you would say that.  This goal is dual porpuse for me, I am hoping that an increase in push ups will also show an increase in pull ups, since I am in the Marines and that is a huge part of our physical fitness test.

Good luck to all challengers, I hope that everybody exceeds there goals!!

Yes!  Here's the shell of one I created in excel, no real formulas in it yet.  On Monday, I'll change this over to a Google one so that everyone can have a look at it anytime instead of waiting for me to make updates.

Okay, I went ahead and put this on Google already.  This is the same version that's in my previous post, so I still don't have the ranking formulas in yet.  I hadn't done a google spreadsheet before, so I wanted to try it out.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pfYL7DR_dx-CXDq7ozVAOEA&hl=en

Username: btchallenge

password: challengeforum 

Let me know if you have trouble seeing it.  I should also mention that I made up the total monthly goals for goodday2tri and carrie, so that's why they're in red.  You two can feel free to edit that.

Anyone else is still free to join as well!

You should only be doing the percentage of the day for each set.   If this is your first day, and your max is 28 pushups, you should be doing 8 pushups every hour.  If your muscles get too fatigued to complete a set, skip it.  You should not be performing to fatigue.  Don't be afraid to take a little extra time, or skip a set,  but keep your form when you are doing the pushups.  After a few days, you may experience some minor soreness.  If the soreness progresses and actually becomes painful, take a day off.  Try not to modify the program unless it means doing less.  Never do more than it says.  This is why I factored my monthly pushup goal based on only two weeks on the program.  I will surely need a day or two at some point to recover.  Depending on how I feel after the second week, I might continue to do more, or I might stop completely until test day.  Just listen to your body, and you'll do great!

 By the way, Great job on the spreadsheet Willie!

carrie1 - 2008-05-05 5:21 AM My biggest problem with this Russian Military push up experiment is remembering that every 30 minutes I have to do push ups. It's amazing how fast 30 minutes flies by.

It is very exciting to know you're getting stronger, and it's natural to get curious about your new max.  Just don't jump the gun!  Wait until test day to find out.  It's like a birthday.  You gotta be patient.  I like to set the timer on my watch so I can keep track, but don't be afraid to skip a set or two.  If you're running behind, don't play catch-up.  Even if you're only able to do 75% of the planned pushups, you're going to see great results.  I'm excited to see how you guys do!

The soreness has gone away. It could be because I didn't do as many yesterday because I had a 10 mile run and a soccer game. So, I didn't get started on my push ups until later in the day. 

This experiment is interesting!

At the halfway point on my bike ride at lunch, it was time, so I hopped off the bike for a quick 10 pushups, then jumped right back on!

That's hard core!!! Awesome!

Have ya'll ever seen that video of the insane Russian drill sergeant who goes down the line of soldiers punching guys in the chest, kicking them, or pounding their pins into their chests?  For whatever reason, I just felt like sharing that this is the image that pops into my head when I think about the newly (in?)famous "masochistic Russian push up program."  I wonder if those guys had done the same program? 

I feel somewhat guilty I haven't jumped in, but I am curious to see how you brave souls do with it.  If ya'll come out as hardcore as those Russians in the video, then I'll have do try it in June.  But I don't want to be punched or kicked.