29 Day Fitness Challenge

And there are guys who bench press 300 like its nothing but I'd never recommend anyone starts there. Its not that women can't do pushups its that so many are just unable to do so and starting with them may be too much. Add on someone who is overweight and body weight exercises like this might be completely unrealistic and more of a let down, "I give up" situation.

I've done both, and I'm not a 'big' muscle guy, but pushing my muscles to my limit I've found more helpful than high endurance style exercising. Your millage my vary.

 

Then don't do it.

As was mentioned in the original post earlier in the thread...

...the challenge here is to complete these movements in addition to any other fitness regimen you're already engaged in, whether that be strength-based, endurance-based, or otherwise.

The crowd of folks to which this challenge was introduced are attendees of a bootcamp class that I've been going to for about a year and a half, between four and six times per week. Each class is designed to be different from the last, incorporating a constantly changing variety of fitness techniques including resistance and functional strength training, cardio, plyometrics, etc. For that group, the challenge will thus be to complete the movements in addition to attending the class on whatever frequency basis we have committed to. The class' attendance base is comprised of men and women of various levels of fitness, with ages ranging from early twenties to mid-seventies. Some are able to do "real" push-ups. Some aren't.

 

You are not required to do this.

If someone is a newbie, then doing this program with a chair for the squats is a lot safer than learning how to use free weights on their own. Nearly anyone can do a pushup without causing injury, especially if they can do it on their knees. Pretty much every kid (who is old enough to be on TFP now) was taught to do push ups in a gym class in the US.

Also, who cares if you find this boring? Those of us who are interested have committed to it and can find ways to make it non-boring. It really shouldn't take that long. Personally, near the end, I will likely change my squats to jump squats in order to increase the challenge - plyometric training is often more effective than strength training alone for athletes in terms of increasing 1RM strength (as well as proprioception and agility). I can cite resources if you want them.

Also, I for one as a female REALLY don't like you coming in this thread just to insult my gender again. "upper body strength issues for most women?" Seriously? GTFO and don't come back.

 

More useful stuff on the squats, to help make them count and ensure you're getting the most out of the movement:

 

HowStuffWorks "Do men really have more upper body strength than women?"

This is basic stuff, sorry you don't care for my tone, wanna arm wrestle?

 

Did I say that women are just as strong as men in upper body? NO. What I said was that assuming that "most women" don't have the upper body strength to even do a modified pushup is sexist, disrespectful, and completely false.

 

w00t! Way to go, @Borla !


We've been slow today, so I'm considering getting the leg lifts done with. (of course, as soon as I hit "post," everyone in town will show up.)

 

This is probably what I'll be doing, after today. I woke up this morning with just enough time to throw my running stuff on and get out the door, so I'll have to set my alarm a little earlier for the rest of the month (and quit hitting snooze...damn it.)

 

Done!

 

Day 1 done! Convinced my boyfriend to do it with me before I did my PT exercises. We broke up the squats 20-20-10, pushups 5, and leg lifts 10-10-5 and just did a little circuit. Not bad at all.

 

Day 1 is dooooone! w00t!

I split everything up into sets of five with a couple seconds in between each... which worked well until I was attacked with puppy kisses when I was on either 10 or 15 leg lifts--they surprised me, and I lost count. I erred on the side of caution, and might have done five extra. Ah, well.

Overall, I feel pretty good, and I'm excited about where I'll be on this at the end. Assuming my abs don't revolt.

 

Day one is in the books. It's technically 'tomorrow' but it was done before bed, so I'm counting it.

Pushups were no sweat. Squats were a little painful on the knees, but nothing I couldn't handle (also realized halfway through what squats are -supposed to- feel like, and I now have a better idea of the form and technique required and will be able to do them to the fullest potential going forward)
The leg lifts I had to do in a set of 15 and a set of 10. Those are going to kill me.

Ready for day 2.