gym + pushups

[onyx]

I havn't been able to get too a gym for last 2 months, so I've just been working out at home. Been doing quite alot of pressups the last 3 weeks or so and i Can notice its firmed and toned my chest more than it was

 

[Omen]

On dips, in addition to angling my body for chest, I usually bend my knees and cross my legs. But, like you say, I feel that dips work the chest regardless of body position (angling forward does take the tri's out a bit, though).

The problem I have with weighted dips versus unweighted dips is it's much harder for me to lower my arms to parallel. I start with a 35 pound plate attached to a belt; I do three sets, increasing the weight 10 pounds each set. By the third set @ 55 lbs., my body doesn't seem to allow my arms to reach parallel. I guess it's going to take a few more weeks before I can build my strength to such a level. Also, I usually drop set the last set, meaning I'll work the last weighted set to failure, then immediately strip my belt and continue dipping just my bodyweight until failure.

I do the same thing. Bend knees and cross feet. Sometimes to get a good angle i'd actually wrap my legs around the dip bar I used to use and then it would act as a slide mechanism and worked really well.

It does get hard, and that's usually when I feel more in the back, hence why i'm more for the push-ups.

I also rep out as well on the push-ups after I am done with my set. No weight, just go until failure.

 

[Quiksilver]

Sounds like we're all on the same page for Dips.. I strap a dumbbell between my legs with the belt & some caribeeners, cross legs, and angle myself. Is it really important to have the widegrip hand position? Right now my arms press in a Hammer Decline position. Btw, up to bw + 60lbs on dips

About the weighted pushups, how about taking a snug-fitting backpack along with you and popping the plates inside it? I don't like the idea of resting plates on my back, or relying on a spotter to saddle me up. Sure the odds of something going wrong are slim, but... 1 in 500 chance he's going to break my back by dropping a 45lb plate onto a disc is not worth it.

I'm going to give it a shot though, have always had a soft spot for bodyweight exercises.

 

[Omen]

Sounds like we're all on the same page for Dips.. I strap a dumbbell between my legs with the belt & some caribeeners, cross legs, and angle myself. Is it really important to have the widegrip hand position? Right now my arms press in a Hammer Decline position. Btw, up to bw + 60lbs on dips

About the weighted pushups, how about taking a snug-fitting backpack along with you and popping the plates inside it? I don't like the idea of resting plates on my back, or relying on a spotter to saddle me up. Sure the odds of something going wrong are slim, but... 1 in 500 chance he's going to break my back by dropping a 45lb plate onto a disc is not worth it.

I'm going to give it a shot though, have always had a soft spot for bodyweight exercises.

In my experience, where the problem lies with that (or I would have done that long ago) is that if you pop the plates inside (a 45 wont fit) and even if it could, you would have to get to the ground, get in position, and then rep.

I'll tell you right now that's impossible with 115lbs. Then when your spent on your last rep, how do you get up? You cant.

If you know your spotter, you will have no problem at all. I trust mine on the days I do it, and its all a matter of just being able to lift that weight and not being a pansy really. If the person doesn't think they can handle putting weight on your back, find another person. It is SO much easier than trying to figure out other ways. Its pretty much the best and only way unless you want sandbags on there, or you use a resistance tube for the push-ups.

Power Systems makes one specifically for push-ups.

I own a 60lb vest and that doesn't work either. Again, there is no way of getting it off of your back. Now you COULD strap up with lets say 30lbs and you might be fine. But too heavy and you need the spotter. When I am spent, I want that weight off of me in seconds. That's why they move up and down with me on the push-up and when I say good, its ripped right off.

 

[Quiksilver]

In my experience, where the problem lies with that (or I would have done that long ago) is that if you pop the plates inside (a 45 wont fit) and even if it could, you would have to get to the ground, get in position, and then rep.

I'll tell you right now that's impossible with 115lbs. Then when your spent on your last rep, how do you get up? You cant.

I'll have to test that for myself. If you get a goodsized school bag or something, im sure you could modify it to hold plates(put some velcro straps on the inside or rope or something.

The way to get up/get it in position is easy. When I do abdominal arches(only forearms and toes touching the ground, strengthens core), I get down flat on my stomach, wrestle a weight onto my back, and pop myself up.

Same way with a backpack. Sit it beside you, lie down, put it on while you're down, and do the lift..then when you're done, take it off BEFORE getting up.

I'll try that on wednesday this week.

 

[Omen]

Maybe you can find a way, but i'm going to stick with my spotter as its much easier then me trying to figure out how the heck i'm gonna get 115lbs on me and then off of me. But props if you figure it out.

If your to the point of fatigue and struggling big time, and that back back doesn't come off.... Good luck! I dont think i'll mess with that. I just think about how you carry a back pack and strap it through your shoulders, and once your spent, you have no way of getting your arms out in a push-up mode. Palms are on the floor, back pack is strapped on, and then.... The only thing I can think is that if it is just setting on your back, but then again, pretend you had 115lbs on your back in plates and no spotter, and you were able to get them on your back, you'd have to turn to the side to let them fall off.

Try it, but I just dont see a better way than with a spotter. Not only for the safety of being able to rip if off quick and set it on, but to also balance it if it gets heavy. I can say that 2 45s and 1 25lb plate get a tad wobbly on occasion, and even in a pack I cant imagine them doing too much better.

But let us know how it goes.

 

[Analytic]

Push-ups are great because it is harder to cheat on it then bench press. Alot of people do bench wrong in that they use too much triceps or tend to bounce the weight. You can use a school backpack to put the weights in, make sure to keep your back straight and you'll get one hell of a chest workout.

 

[Omen]

I'm wondering why I can't simply insert, say, 4 25-lb. plates and fasten my backpack before assuming the pushup position? Surely most guys can walk around with 100 lbs. tucked into their backpack, right? I mean, it's not like you're going to be walking around the gym with 100 lbs. of weights in your backpack.

Afterwards, simply roll over and detach the backpack.

Am I oversimplifying?

Try it. Maybe you're oversimplifying, but if you can do it and it not be a hassle, more power to you.

I just find that setting the weights on the bench, getting in position, having the plates put on... rep out what I need, and then taken right off is very quick.

I just dont want anything strapped to my back because if I say pull it off i'm spent and I cant hold the position anymore, i'll have to fall to the ground, roll over, unstrap.... You get what i'm saying.

Just found the spotter way works the best for me.

 

[Quiksilver]

Aight, I tried it today.

It works!

It could do with some tweaking though, I only put 1 25lb plate in. Depending on your hand/foot position, and your rep speed, the weight slides forward in the backpack, and the pack straps can come up toward your head as well. I'm going to get a pack with a waist strap, and also tether the plate to the BOTTOM of the backpack, to keep it from sliding around.

Getting it off is pretty easy. Yeah just roll onto your side once your completely grounded.

 

[Omen]

Aight, I tried it today.

It works!

It could do with some tweaking though, I only put 1 25lb plate in. Depending on your hand/foot position, and your rep speed, the weight slides forward in the backpack, and the pack straps can come up toward your head as well. I'm going to get a pack with a waist strap, and also tether the plate to the BOTTOM of the backpack, to keep it from sliding around.

Getting it off is pretty easy. Yeah just roll onto your side once your completely grounded.

Let me know how it works with 115lbs.
There is the real test.

 

[Slone]

I'd recommend getting a 120lb girl off a treadmill to lie on your back, even weight distribution.

 

[Omen]

I'd recommend getting a 120lb girl off a treadmill to lie on your back, even weight distribution.

Dont think i'd be doing push-ups, but instead hip thrusts