Friends, I Need Your Input

[John Peterson]

Hey friends,

I'm refining the section in Ultimate Push-Ups about the 'Perfect Push-Ups" training device, I need a little feedback. Personally, I think they are a nice addition to a training program in that they add variety and a certain amount of increased intensity But do those of you who use them consistently feel that they are particularly good for preventing shoulder injuries? I ask this because they are promoted in a way that suggests that they prevent shoulder injury. And before I state that as factual I'd like to read your feedback about it.

So what do you guys feel is the major benefit of Perfect Push-Ups? And do you feel that you are achieving as good a result with them as opposed to without them. Please Note: There is no right or wrong answer. Only personal opinion. Thanks for your help.

---John Peterson

[gs300tx]

When I first got the Perfect Push Ups, I thought they were great, but when I started doing high volume push ups with with them, my right shoulder would start to hurt. So, I just stick to Atlas and regular push ups.

[Nathan]

Hey John,

I had a very similar experience that gs300tx had. At first I thought they where great but once I got into high volume they really started to hurt my shoulder. I have used them in quite a while now all that is an apparatus is the WARRIOR PUSH-UP POWER Ts. But if I want the movement that the Perfect Push-up offers. I just do the same movement with the Power Ts and BINGO. :giggle: Anyway thats just my take on it. All the best.


---Nathan

[John Peterson]

Hey Friends,

Thank You. And George your explanation of what is actually happening within the muscle and bone structure itself is right on the mark. I do have a question for the men that thought they were beneficial up to a point but then started developing shoulder pain. It's this, at what point did you actually start feeling the pain? In other words, how long had you been using them and how many repetitions were you actually doing. Thanks.


---John Peterson

[MikeNY]

I only tried a friend's once they just didn't feel natural, not the same as a pushup, that one test made me leery. I thought they'd make your shoulders hurt and stayed away from them.

[alangrider]

Hi John, I have to agree with MikeNY. I have tried them but just don't find myself wanting to go back to use them. (I do look forward to Santa bringing me a set of the Power Ts this year!)

[mts]

I have a pair and haven't noticed any pain associated with using them. I do many more push-ups without them than with them and really only use them for purposes of variety. I'm not sure that they offer any real benefit over a non-rotaing set of push-up handles (which I also use).

[tom]

I don't have a Perfect Pushup. I've gotten away from buying gadgets. There is nothing wrong with buying gadgets, I may again, but simplicity is more appealing as I grow older. Pushups are body and floor.

So, with that disclaimer, I'd vote keep it out, healthy or not. Also, it is a brand name. There may be good, non-floor variations of pushups. In that case, I prefer Grunt type of suggestions - general, frisbees, straps, PVC, towels, eyelets, webbing, and spokeshaves.

Tom

[Nathan]

Hey John,

I had only been using them for two or three weeks. I had been doing only two to two hundred and fifty a day on them. This wasn't really anything at all but it caused my left shoulder to hurt kinda bad. :dazed: I really don't know why but like I said I haven't used the Perfect push-ups for a while now. All I use the the Power Ts. Anyway All the best my friend.


---Nathan

[Greg Newton]

I liked the Perfect Pushups. They helped with a nagging tendency for my right supraspinatus muscle to inflame from pushups. They also made my pushups much stricter. However, since I've started the Tee's, the Perfect Pushups gather dust, and I don't see a reason to use them anymore.

Also - excellent description on how the rotator cuff works George!

[Free]

I concur with the negative thoughts on the perfect pushup. I have an old shoulder injury, and it just doesn't feel right to me when I use them. The T's are a much better tool, in my opinion.

[kelbiz]

John;

I have been using push-up bars for a few years and have had nothing but great results. Also, Pushup Pro, similar to Perfect Pushup, offers a different feel with the rotating handles.
Boxes or chairs also do the trick. Variety is a beautiful thing!

Jack

[John Peterson]

Hey Friends,

This really fascinates me because one of the major selling points used in Marketing "The Perfect Push-Up" is the idea that it protects the shoulder from injury. Clearly, this is not based upon documented research. Not when one considers the real world experience of my friends.


---John Peterson

[gs300tx]

Hey Friends,

Thank You. And George your explanation of what is actually happening within the muscle and bone structure itself is right on the mark. I do have a question for the men that thought they were beneficial up to a point but then started developing shoulder pain. It's this, at what point did you actually start feeling the pain? In other words, how long had you been using them and how many repetitions were you actually doing. Thanks.


---John Peterson

Its when I started doing around 200 push ups a day, in sets of 10 is when the pain would kick in. If I were to do a few sets here and here, its no big deal. But its when I would do my whole workout based on the Perfect Push up the problem kicks in.

[gs300tx]

Hey John,

I had only been using them for two or three weeks. I had been doing only two to two hundred and fifty a day on them. This wasn't really anything at all but it caused my left shoulder to hurt kinda bad. :dazed: I really don't know why but like I said I haven't used the Perfect push-ups for a while now. All I use the the Power Ts. Anyway All the best my friend.


---Nathan

Nathan I experienced the same thing when I started doing around 200 push ups or so. I can do a few sets here and there with the Perfect Push ups but as of right now , they are collecting dust.

[Nathan]

Hey gs300tx,

That is exactly what my perfect push-ups are doing right now. But whenever I want to us the movement they offer I just twist my Power Ts the same way they twist and it is the same exact thing! Anyway All the best.

---Nathan

[keyway]

Hey John,
About a year ago I accidently collapsed while doing bar dips and as a result developed a painless "click" iin my right shoulder. About a month ago I quit using my Perfect Pushups and the click has greatly improved in that the number of "clicks" per day has reduced. The Power T's and regular pushups seem to help my shoulder so I'll stick with them for now.

[isorez]

It wasn't my shoulder, it was my elbow that had some discomfort.
I used them for a while after I bought mine. Now I kind of cyle through tehm, where I use them for about two weeks every month or so.

[tom]

I have seen ad copy touting the Perfect Pushup as able to simulate a kruddy punch. I question the wisdom of this.

What people are describing in this thread are injuries similar to doing a kruddy punch incorrectly - the elbows swinging out, the inside of the elbow rolling in, and the shoulder rising. That is recipe for injuries in the elbow and shoulder. In punching it would most likely be the elbow because of the speed. The push up is slower, so it will manifest in the shoulder.

One big reason for the injurious motion is the mistaken notion that the fist should revolve until it is horizontal to the ground (if one were punching), the typical picture and logo you see of almost every kruddy fist. It's a mass bad idea.

Keep the push up a push up, not a striking skill.

Tom

[Kevin Nickerson]

My perfect pushup handle make great paper weights,I used them a couple of time but they never felt right for me.just my 2 cents

[gruntbrain]

I believe the "perfect" way to do pushups is to use something equivalent to adjustable gymnastic rings. Such a setup is adaptable to all fitness levels & allows for the performance of endless styles of pushups.
"Grab" the handles with your feet for even more variants.
Unlike the Perfect Pushup gizmo, with hanging gizmos you are NOT forced into a fixed motion.

[Tink131]

Hi Mr. Peterson,
I've never used the PP, but, as you know I do have a shoulder injury and love to do push-ups so I'm glad to read about these and I'll stay away. I just wanted to add that hand placement is a big deal for me. I'm using the iron gym and I grip the inside pads on the straight bar and I can do push-ups that way for now. I can't use a wide grip/hand placement at all- one push up with a wide placement and my shoulder screams! I just wonder if a closer hand placement would make a difference with the PP...???

[John Peterson]

Hey Tink131,

Great to see you posting. What you state about hand width and so forth is absolutely true. It's amazing how just a slight change of angle can make such a huge difference, BUT IT DOES! And when it comes to the best and most productive angles the only way to know for sure is to do it.


---John Peterson