John, How Many Push-Ups Do You Do...

[John Peterson]

Hey Friends,

This is not the first time that I have been asked this question. The answer is that it varies depending upon what else I do on that day. Some days I knock off 720 and then on days like today the number is 360. Once in a while I will perform 1,000 or more. It all depends up on what else I am doing on any given day. For the most part it is the Atlas III variation that I have been performing. I still do Tiger Stretch (hindu) Push-Ups each day but they are a warm up. I also do the Superman Wheel Push-Ups from standing just about every day. I find that exercise extraordinary for full body strength and abdominal/core development.

One other thing, YES, I perform Push-Ups every day. Some people may want to perform them every other day but I am not one of them. I have no problem with daily performance of Push-Ups. In fact, I look forward to them each and every day. Bottom line: I am hooked on Push-Ups.

---John Peterson

[jonlclay]

John,

Do you feel there is a certain amount of pushups needed to be done to increase strength versus maintaining your strength?

Also, I believe you've stated in the past that you rarely do sets to failure, but where do you stop? 90, 80, 70% of your max reps?

I'm starting to really enjoy these too, as I find it is pretty easy to just drop and do them throughout the day which for me is easier than finding a set 30-60 minutes to workout in.

Looking forward to your new PushUp book when it comes out.

Thanks,

Jon

[John Peterson]

Hey John,

Some days where I perform sets 'to the edge' I'm knocking down about 100 reps. But performing sets of 60 to 77 reps throughout the entire day delivers a really great pump without feeling over taxed. If we look at 100 as my max that means that 60% of max is doable for very high volume. However on days like today 360 reps is more than adequate.

---John Peterson

[kelbiz]

John;

Thanks for that info. I especially appreciate the point about doing pushups daily. After lifting weights for years, I had to decondition myself when I first got the Atlas course regarding training every day. The "rest day" philosophy, while helpful to a weightlifter, can be disgarded using the methods you and Atlas advocate.
I also enjoy that "pump" feeling by doing exercise throughout the day - not limiting myself to a specific workout time. Additionally, isometric exercises, as described in your book, can be done anytime. (I've done the on the train and at my desk).
I also feel better at the joints by exercising throughout the day - every day. Thanks again.

Jack