How many push-ups / sit-ups?

Beks

Hi there,

For someone who hasn't really worked out before and wants to tone arms and stomach, how many press ups and sit ups a day would you recommend doing?

I'm female, 5ft 2, weigh around 112-118lbs, 30 years old, already quite fit and healthy but just not toned like I'd like to be...

Any suggestions would be great as I don't know how many I should aim for. I also get bored pretty easily so often give up workouts I've tried after a few weeks, so any ideas on variations of any exercises would be great!

Thanks

EileenG

As many as you can. Work to failure or very close to it. If you do a certain number and can keep going, do so. The idea is to work your muscles so hard they have to get stronger to cope with the demands you are making.

Ideally, the last few reps should be difficult, you have to really push to finish them.

If it's easy, add weights or change the exercise so it's harder. If you can do 20 regular push-ups without sweating, put your feet on a chair and try that way. If you can knock out lots of crunches, try them with your hands over your head holding a weight.

Make sure you are doing them right. Concentrate on getting a full range of motion, and try to do the return phase of the exercise slowly.

Beks

Thanks for the advice!

I am just wondering though, I will be working out in the evening, and you said to do as many as I could... so is it best to do it in a few sessions? Like just push myself to the max once an evening, or several times an evening? I suppose your answer will be "until you can bear it no more!"

EileenG

Try three sets. Do as many as you can, then take a short break or do a different exercise, then go back to the first one and see if you can beat your previous number of reps. And repeat.

Three sets of a basic exercise like squats or push-ups will work you pretty hard, you'll definitely feel it. Consider plank rather than sit-ups. Or one of my favourite exercises is the wood chopper. Stand holding a medium weight or water bottle in both hands over your left shoulder. Smoothly bring it down across your body so that it finishes up near your right ankle. Reverse to bring it back over your left shoulder. Think of the motion of swinging an ax. Do ten and switch sides. This exercise works your whole body, especially your core.

paulie13

http://hundredpushups.com/

petethebrick

paulie13 wrote: »

http://hundredpushups.com/

+1
Have been doing this for a few weeks and already noticed a big improvement in strength and toning.
There's a program for sit ups on it as well that I'm starting now.

offaly4sam

petethebrick wrote: »

+1
Have been doing this for a few weeks and already noticed a big improvement in strength and toning.
There's a program for sit ups on it as well that I'm starting now.

was just wondering, does this actually work?
Does it tone the body or just give you strength or both?

devereaux17

I think 100 push ups is pointless.

Beks

Last night I was out on the bike all night so only did a little when I got home:

20 crunches
20 leg lifts (double ones)
20 press ups

Gonna try up that by 10 each night I do it and see what my max is... It felt like it benefitted me in my abs last night, but I don't feel it today like I've felt after doing some exercise videos!