QUESTION of the DAY: How many push-ups can you do in 3 minutes?? Take this 3-minute test to find out how fit you really are. Physical fitness isnt just about lifting. Its about how strong you are relative to your body weight, says Martin Rooney, P.T., C.S.C.S., author of Ultimate Warrior Workouts. Thats why he has his athletes-in-training do body-weight tests. If they struggle, they need to either gain strength or lose weight. Test yourself the same way with his pushup challenge. The Test Do as many pushups as you can in 3 minutes. Rules 1. Rest whenever you want, but keep the clock running the whole time. 2. For a rep to count, you must maintain perfect form: elbows locked at the top, chest 2 inches above the floor at the bottom, hips not sagging, and knees not touching the floor. 3. Pace yourself however youd like, but its best not to rush, Rooney says. Take a 15-second break once you slow down after your first burst. Then take longer breaks as you become more tired, he says. Never push yourself to total fatigue. Tire out too quickly? Try these five ways to work out harder, faster, and longer. How you did: < 55 pushups Below average 55 to 74 pushups Average 75 to 99 pushups Good 100 to 110 pushups Excellent 111 or more Extraordinary Problems To Look For: If you cant do 15 pushups with perfect form . . . Your chest and triceps are weak. Strengthen them by doing regular high-rep (12 to 15) sets of the bench press and triceps pushdown. Also try pushups in a power rack on a barbell so you can set your body at an incline, making the pushup easier. As you improve, lower the barbell until youￂﾒre doing regular pushups. If your hips sag during pushups . . . Your core is weak. Solution: planks and side planks. These exercises build stability and endurance in your core and mimic the movement needed to succeed at pushups. Theyￂﾒre also great ab workouts. (Learn seven more ways to carve washboard abs.) How to Boost Your Score Add pushups to your routine twice a week for the next 4 weeks, says Rooney. Follow this pushup protocol, trying to complete each rep as quickly as possible. Then take 5 days off from pushups, and retest yourself. Are you performing your exercises correctly? Use this guide to perfect your form, prevent injury and pack on size faster.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:52:15 +0000
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