Modified Pushups and Women

[CACBAND]

From what I've seen at least around here those that do allow modified push-ups make you do more (which is a start).
I however agree with everyone else, the bad guy isn't going to use half the force might as well be ready for 100%. Doing the push-ups in 1 minute is hard for me. From what I've seen around here it seems to be maybe 60/40 with one minute push-ups vs. just do them all, rest in the up.

Along those same lines with the modified push-ups, should I get extra time on my 1.5 mile run because I have Asthma? (The answer is no)

[CACBAND]

Also for the push-ups I found this plan helped me get my numbers up.
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Police/r...ement_Plan.asp

[ducatimom]

Down til your chin is 4 inches/standing fist from the ground.

Do you mean to tell me that I didn't need to touch my nose to the ground during the physical agility test?!? Hmpf. :D

[Switchback]

Do you mean to tell me that I didn't need to touch my nose to the ground during the physical agility test?!? Hmpf. :D

I have never seen a fit test that requires you to touch your nose to the ground. The problem with this technique is that you would lower your head to get your nose down to the ground.

In most graded events, it is suggested that you look at the floor in a spot about 2 feet in front of you. This will keep your head in line with the body and avoid having it lowering (which prevents you from going low enough to complete a proper push-up).

Your hands should be about shoulder-width apart. Another little (usually legal cheat) is to start slightly closer than that and slowly work your hands apart thoughout the test. This allows you to use different muscle groups, starting with the triceps and focusing more on the chest and front delts as you move your hands outward.

There are several schools of thought on how far to go down. Many use the fist technique, where you lower to your partners fist, which is centered below your sternum. Once you contact it, you can return to the up position. Generally, the most important thing is to have your arms break 90 degrees, bringing the triceps parallel to ground.

For our fit test,
-During the course of the movement, your body must move as a single unit.
-The hands may not be lifted from the ground, but may be moved around.
-The academy uses the fist technique. I often just go to breaking 90 degrees with the arms for my fit tests.
-You can raise your butt up in the air or let it sag (not going to the knees), but you must return to the proper "up position" before attempting another push-up.
-The exercise starts and ends in the up position. If you do not lock the elbows, it does not count.

[ducatimom]

I wasn't sure how far down was appropriate, even though I do know the proper form. I did keep my body in line, I just have a nose that protrudes farther than I would like...

I am lucky in that my general interests have kept my strength up in my upper body and legs. I work on our vehicles and have never been fond of dragging the compressor out to use air tools. Yup... that slackness has been a good thing! Yesterday I spent the latter part of the afternoon at the local junkyard attempting to pull off beds from a 73 and 79 F100's. Two bolts shy on the 79 (ran out of time), three on the 73 (darn spinners)! So, I figured I could skip upper body weight training for the day!

As for the girls working on doing push-ups, for the one who cannot do even one, would the modified push-ups help her to gain some strength to then move to proper ones, or would it just waste her time?

It is interesting getting into proper fitness routines when you have not done "fitness" type exercise regularly in your recent past. Maybe a thread (if there isn't one already) advising those of us who are new to training would be helpful. ;)

One more thing: Sometimes when I do push away at a 90 degree from my chest weight training, I hear popping from my shoulders. Not from the joint, but tendons. It doesn't hurt, but I want to know if I should ignore such sounds and keep going.

Thanks!

[harmsllc]

Modified Push Ups -As I read your blog post, I couldn’t help but think of the Push Up Bench as the most effective way for people who struggle with push ups , to be able to do them correctly (with full range of motion). Most modified push ups make them easier but only allow one or two variations. The Push Up Bench has 11 different levels to work through on the way to a full push up.

[Switchback]

I couldn't help but think that this thread is more than a year old and that you just came in hear, babbling on a dead thread... all without even taking the courtesy to do an introduction.