Posted: 1/15/2011 5:18:09 PM EDT
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I've been trying to build upper body strength through simple body weight exercises like the situp, pullup, and pushup.
I've been trying to do them multiple times every day until muscle failure to do any more. Example; pullups early in the morning - failure at 12. Do it again at 10 or 11 AM until failure. Again at 3 or 4PM. Again at 8 or 9PM. Or I'll occasionally just do a set if I am passing under the bar. Same thing for situps and pushups. My question is; is this too much to hit these muscles to their max multiple times every day? Should I be taking every other day off to rest these muscles and hit something else like lower body? |
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Wait only a few minutes between sets. Not hours. Do them again when you're recovered. That is, no longer sore in the muscles from last time. If this is every day, then do them every day. If this means wait two, three, or four days, then wait as long as necessary. It's generally not a good idea to exercise a muscle that's still sore from last time. If you do, let it be a LIGHT workout. Better to wait for full recovery and do another full intensity workout. CJ |
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Quoted:
I've been trying to build upper body strength through simple body weight exercises like the situp, pullup, and pushup. I've been trying to do them multiple times every day until muscle failure to do any more. Example; pullups early in the morning - failure at 12. Do it again at 10 or 11 AM until failure. Again at 3 or 4PM. Again at 8 or 9PM. Or I'll occasionally just do a set if I am passing under the bar. Same thing for situps and pushups. My question is; is this too much to hit these muscles to their max multiple times every day? Should I be taking every other day off to rest these muscles and hit something else like lower body? Is your ultimate goal strength? If so I would recommend these exercises. Yes youll get a little stronger doing these workouts, but these workouts youre doing are considered muscular endurance exercises. If your goal is this then good, if not you should lift. |
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Thanks for the replies fellas!
In regards to whether I'm aiming for strength or repetition; I think maybe a little balance of both? I'd like to build my strength but I'm also trying to be able to punch out a bunch of repetitions to get ready for USMC, hopefully this summer. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the replies fellas! In regards to whether I'm aiming for strength or repetition; I think maybe a little balance of both? I'd like to build my strength but I'm also trying to be able to punch out a bunch of repetitions to get ready for USMC, hopefully this summer. Those things are what youll most likely be doing at boot. Replication will be your best bet. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Thanks for the replies fellas! In regards to whether I'm aiming for strength or repetition; I think maybe a little balance of both? I'd like to build my strength but I'm also trying to be able to punch out a bunch of repetitions to get ready for USMC, hopefully this summer. Those things are what youll most likely be doing at boot. Replication will be your best bet. The USMC uses crunches on the PFT instead of situps. They aren't interchangeable; I do both crunches and situps (or substitute flutter kicks for situps). The situp utilizes your hip flexors and abdominal muscles, while the crunch targets the rectus abdominis (your 6 pack). |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the replies fellas! In regards to whether I'm aiming for strength or repetition; I think maybe a little balance of both? I'd like to build my strength but I'm also trying to be able to punch out a bunch of repetitions to get ready for USMC, hopefully this summer. Here is the Crossfit Bodyweight WOD list, pick them at random and follow them. Crossfit Bodyweight WOD's list |
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Quoted: New question guys: Wanting full body workout instead of just upper body, I started P90X this week. Should I continue with the pushup, pullup, situp routine daily or just stick to the P90X program only? If you're doing P90X and you actually care to do more pushups or pullups, you need to bring it harder when you're watching the videos. And fuck situps, ab wrecker is a way better exercise than just doing situps ever will be. |
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Quoted:
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New question guys: Wanting full body workout instead of just upper body, I started P90X this week. Should I continue with the pushup, pullup, situp routine daily or just stick to the P90X program only? If you're doing P90X and you actually care to do more pushups or pullups, you need to bring it harder when you're watching the videos. And fuck situps, ab wrecker is a way better exercise than just doing situps ever will be. Thanks! That's exactly what I was thinking. I'll just pump out the pushups and pullups double time during the videos. I'm still sore from the first day. 
I agree with the situps comment too. 
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Quoted: Quoted: And fuck situps, ab wrecker is a way better exercise than just doing situps ever will be. I searched ab wrecker and couldnt find anything. What is it It's a slang term people use for Ab Ripper X that comes in the P90X program. There's actually a lot of videos about it on Youtube. http://hubpages.com/hub/P90x-Ab-Ripper-X-Step-by-Step-Guide That's got the video, and the exercise descriptions. If you're not used to it, you'll be pretty dead once it's over.
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For a good starting pushup routine I highly recommend the HundredPushups program. http://hundredpushups.com/
I started this a couple of years ago when I was out of shape and it helped a lot. I need to get back to it. |
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Do every set to failure when doing P90x, then you will appreciate the week until the next time you target that muscle group. Some groups like triceps/abs can handle more training, so those days will be split up some.
You will get stronger, and bulkier with P90x, but you have to drink your protein or you won't put on as much bulk. I just started back this week, oh it hurts so good.
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