The female push up problem

Lockstep · 06-03-2008 10:06AM

I never knew push ups helped the back. I always assumed they just worked the chest/triceps etc.

Doesn't really bother me about women doing modified push ups when it's for themselves. In boxing training we do circuit training in pairs. I was in a pair with a girl once, she's a great boxer but her training scheduel was modified to make it easier for her, despite me being fitter she's much better at the sport than I.

rubadub · 06-03-2008 10:15AM

KiwiChick wrote: »

Maybe it is an excuse to be lazy?

What is a good amount of reps/sets for women to be doing, just curious to see if I'm anywhere near what I should be doing?

Don't get too caught up in the numbers game. Stick with good form, and try and beat your last figure. Trying to outdo others can lead to "cheating"

I do find it interesting though, plenty of links to various PFTs (physical fitness standards), like marines, coastguard etc.
http://www.google.com/search?complete=1&hl=en&q=pushup+pft+standards+women&aq=f

Anything more than around 15 is really just training endurance. I aim for muscle growth so aim for 6-12reps. I incline my legs to acheive this, and can almost do a handstand one now.

KiwiChick · 06-03-2008 11:13AM

I checked out the Army PFT's, I think I'd almost manage what is needed to pass the test for my age. It's good for my own info.

I never see women in my gym doing push ups and sometimes you'd swear I had 2 heads because of some of the looks I get.
I do 5 sets of push ups to fail at the end of my lower body workout and the last went 22,20,18,13,10

Roper · 06-03-2008 11:33AM

Just quickly-

The thrust of the myth isn't that it damages the ovaries, its that it puts undue stress on the lower abdomen and might lead to womb damage.

To be fair, there may be some truth in that if a sedentary, unfit woman attempted a full push up and could do half of it. But I'd say it's equally likely she could damage ger shoulder or chest if she was unfit, assuming she could do enough of the push up for damage to become a remote possibility.

In heavy training, sometimes I will drop to my knees and do push ups from there because I've failed at the push-up stage, and doing supported push ups is better than doing none at all. It's an assistance exercise, just like any other. From a coaching point of view, I tell anyone, girls, fellas, to try to do full push ups until they fail and then to switch to supported ones.

Anyway, Urban Myth, probably spread by chinese whisper. Just like Area 51 or the guy who woke up in the ice bath with his liver gone or Jesus.

rubadub · 06-03-2008 11:44AM

Roper wrote: »

The thrust of the myth isn't that it damages the ovaries, its that it puts undue stress on the lower abdomen and might lead to womb damage.

To be fair, there may be some truth in that if a sedentary, unfit woman attempted a full push up and could do half of it. But I'd say it's equally likely she could damage ger shoulder or chest if she was unfit, assuming she could do enough of the push up for damage to become a remote possibility.

There should be similar myths for men so. But the fact is sterilization myths are more dramatic, like the one about people spiking drinks with horse sterilization pills.

the guy who woke up in the ice bath

That is true, a bloke in the pub told me.

wahlrab · 06-03-2008 12:46PM

thank you for all the replies. the reason i asked for information on a study was that these girls are in the same club as me and they won't just take my word that normal press ups are fine for them, these are physically fit women who should be doing proper press ups,

they won't even listen to instructors in the gym and nearly always say oh my god i don't wanna get all big and muscular at which point i sigh and start to tell them how that won't happen but my guess is that they'll only listen to what they want to hear, maybe it is a lost cause,

btw i wouldn't just go up to a randomer in the gym and start telling her to do full press ups this is a different type of situation, thanks again for the replies and interest in the topic

Hanley · 06-03-2008 01:06PM

The women you refer to are dzzzzzopes!! (meant in the nicest possible way). They seem to be more inclined to beleive urban myths and chinese whispers than facts and evidence.

Tell them that they have the burdon of proof and need to find a study to show to you that proves it's dangerous!

KiwiChick · 06-03-2008 03:42PM

wahlrab wrote: »

they won't even listen to instructors in the gym and nearly always say oh my god i don't wanna get all big and muscular at which point i sigh and start to tell them how that won't happen but my guess is that they'll only listen to what they want to hear, maybe it is a lost cause,

It is a lost cause! Been there, done that with friends or co-workers and they just won't have any of it.

You're better off doing your own workout and having the satisfaction of knowing that you are actually making an effort and going to get the results that the others want but won't get because of their lazy attitudes

cowzerp · 06-03-2008 03:54PM

2 words Lazy-Ignorant

lolo2 · 06-03-2008 04:05PM

wahlrab wrote: »

btw i wouldn't just go up to a randomer in the gym and start telling her to do full press ups

i can picture it now ...

actually no, it would be funnier to go up to a woman doing full push ups and start roaring at her to mind her ovaries!!!

(Post Disclaimer: The above post does not advocate such actions, just joking!)

xebec · 06-03-2008 04:58PM

lolo2 wrote: »

actually no, it would be funnier to go up to a woman doing full push ups and start roaring at her to mind her ovaries!!!

Brilliant! I'm getting funny looks from other people in this computer room in college!

Reyman · 06-03-2008 06:32PM

This lad overcame the risks of press ups:

"The world record for most two-handed push back hand ups in one hour is 1,781 by Doug Pruden of Canada, 2005"

The female push up problem

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