Thread: Push UPS? how its works so much?

push ups do not work you core or back

Pushups work your chest, triceps, and to a lesser extent, shoulders. I used to do mass pushups in sets of 50, from 300-700 pushups in one sitting, but I'm not sure how beneficial such a workout is in comparison to hitting the weights at the gym. However, it is a good change of pace once in a while if you get sick of your Chest/Tricep day.

Damn thats a lot of push ups Kentdog!

to a lesser extent your shoulders?? Both the pec major and the long head of the tricep cross the shoulder so I would say they work the shoulder. Also, the anterior delt is a horizontal flexor of the shoulder.

they work your core isometrically. If you see someone with weak abs/lower back do a push up their stomach sags down. the up position is just like a plank, which is an isometric exercise.

they work your back because the lats are internal rotators of the shoulder which is what happens at the top of a push up, unless you aren't going all the way up and allowing that internal rotation to happen.

Originally Posted by P-funk

to a lesser extent your shoulders?? Both the pec major and the long head of the tricep cross the shoulder so I would say they work the shoulder. Also, the anterior delt is a horizontal flexor of the shoulder.

they work your core isometrically. If you see someone with weak abs/lower back do a push up their stomach sags down. the up position is just like a plank, which is an isometric exercise.

they work your back because the lats are internal rotators of the shoulder which is what happens at the top of a push up, unless you aren't going all the way up and allowing that internal rotation to happen.

Damn! Someone did their homework!

Originally Posted by P-funk

they work your core isometrically. If you see someone with weak abs/lower back do a push up their stomach sags down. the up position is just like a plank, which is an isometric exercise.

Which, might I add, is something people often neglect (Including myself). Your core contracts isometrically in a lot of situations. I used to do hovers, which is very similar holding yourself at the top of a pushup position, and they can be killer.

Originally Posted by P-funk

to a lesser extent your shoulders?? Both the pec major and the long head of the tricep cross the shoulder so I would say they work the shoulder. Also, the anterior delt is a horizontal flexor of the shoulder.

they work your core isometrically. If you see someone with weak abs/lower back do a push up their stomach sags down. the up position is just like a plank, which is an isometric exercise.

they work your back because the lats are internal rotators of the shoulder which is what happens at the top of a push up, unless you aren't going all the way up and allowing that internal rotation to happen.

Patrick can you also explain why the push-up will not cause a significant amount of hypertrophy in those areas ? people might actually think that you can build a great back and abs from this exercise by reading this

Originally Posted by LAM

Patrick can you also explain why the push-up will not cause a significant amount of hypertrophy in those areas ? people might actually think that you can build a great back and abs from this exercise by reading this

Sure. The only reason I said it was because they do serve some sort of purpose but you are correct. Push ups aren't going to give you the best oppurtunity for muscle growth in those areas.

they wont cause a signifigant amount of hypertrophy in areas like you back because the nature of the exercise is flexion of the shoulder. To properly recruit the back muscles you would have to perform a pulling motion which would place the shoulder through some form of extension causing the scapula (shoulder blades) to adduct. That is how those muscles are most properly recruited as that i how the fibers run (point of insertion to point of origin). The latissimus dorsi and teres major are internal rotators of the shoulder however the amount of hypertrohpy that you would see from that litle bit of internal rotation would be very small since the lats are such a broad muscle and serve many purposes.

the core muscluature will be contracting during everything you do no matter what. Those muscles are there to provide stability and help preven injury. In a prone position (lying face down) with your hands outstretched and your feet on the floor (like when you do a push up) your core will contract to help you maintain an erect posture. Holding a push up position should be very easy for most unless your core is weak at which point doing the push ups can help to bring up your core stability/strength a little bit. However, every exercise you do will build your core. Things like deadlifts, squats and overhead presses will directly load you up and work those muscles also. The push up is nothing more than a body weight exercise and would not serve as the best means to increase abdominal strength unless, as I stated before, you have a weak core to begin with.

Originally Posted by P-funk

they work your core isometrically. the up position is just like a plank, which is an isometric exercise.

Thank You!!!

"Don't work your core" -

Originally Posted by P-funk

to a lesser extent your shoulders?? Both the pec major and the long head of the tricep cross the shoulder so I would say they work the shoulder. Also, the anterior delt is a horizontal flexor of the shoulder.

Yeah, that's my bad. I know pushups work the shoulders, I just never felt they did to the same degree as they work the chest and tris, which is why I said "to a lesser extent." Thanks for the correction, Patrick.