Saturday, September 8, 2012

Drop and give me 100...

My Story:

As a cyclist and runner, I have spent thousands of hours working to make my legs stronger. I have dedicated myself to building cardiovascular and respiratory endurance. I’ve done all this while basically neglecting my upper body. On April 17, 2012, I decided to change that. That day I decided to dedicate myself to doing 25 pushups and 25 sit-ups every day. I figured my arms and my abs would thank me eventually. That first day, I couldn’t do 25 consecutive pushups. I did 15 and collapsed, rested a bit then did two sets of five each.

I did my daily sets faithfully for about a week, improving each time. Then I discovered Steve Spiers’ 100 pushups program online. I decided to take the plunge. I was struggling more with the sit-ups at the time so I didn’t immediately jump on the 200 sit-ups challenge.

The first day of the program I did the 45 required pushups in 5 sets - 10, 12, 7, 7, 9. I did fine on the early sets, but the set was painful. That was the pattern nearly every workout followed throughout the program. I’d knock the first few sets out of the park, then grunt and groan through the final sets. There was never a day when I didn’t struggle to complete the assigned number. Twice I was unable to do the minimum on the final set. Pushups, I discovered, are hard work!

The program I was following – and there are many of them – took me from 15 consecutive pushups to 100. The plan was designed to do this in seven weeks, but it took me a little longer. At the end of my seventh week, I set out to do my final test. I started out strong and did 30 pushups with little effort at all. I started to feel a little weakness in the next 10 to 15. I got to 50 and rested a bit without putting my knees down. I did another ten barely, then five more before I collapsed. I knew 65 wasn’t bad, but it was short of the goal. I rested a bit then did 35 more. I decided to redo the last two weeks of the program.

As I was starting my eighth week, Steve Spiers contacted me via his @100pushups Twitter account. He suggested dropping down to the middle column of the fifth and sixth weeks to see if doing less pushups would help. I swallowed my pride and did as he advised. The sets were still hard to do, but I was able to complete each day’s workout with less exhaustion. At the end of these weeks, I dropped to the floor and made my second attempt at 100 consecutive pushups. I read Steve S.'s advice about putting my butt up to rest occasionally, so I kept that in mind as I started. I did 25 then rested for a few seconds. I did another 25 and rested. I did a third 25 with a lot of “give up” screaming in my ear. I rested. I did 10. I rested. I knocked out 15 of the worst pushups ever. It didn’t matter to me. I’d done 100 in a row.

My Review:

The 100 pushups program is easy to use. On the first visit to the website, you can view video of what a good pushup looks like and begin the program with an initial exhaustion test. From there, you can click over to the first week’s workouts and get started. Each day you are given a number of sets of pushups to do. You do them and then max out on the final set. The three times a week format gives you plenty of rest and recovery.

The app simplifies a few things. Once you’ve selected the workout, it automatically walks you through that day’s sets and times the intervals between sets. The timer is clear and easy to read through sweat-hazed eyes! The app also has several graphic representations to help you see your progress and you can set a reminder so that each day your phone will tell you to drop and do 20! Everything can be exported to a CSV file and emailed to yourself for record keeping or to a friend for bragging rights or accountability. Tips for the day also pop up to keep you on track and motivated. The multi-user function means you and your son or daughter can use the app and keep separate logs of your workouts.

Both platforms are easy to use and I highly recommend them to those who are seeking to tackle the formidable task of 100 consecutive pushups!

My Giveaway:


A big thank you goes to Steve Speirs, creator of the hundredpushups site, and James Sugrue, the man who coded the app, for making the book and app code giveaways possible. Julie Hess won the autographed copy of Steve Speirs' book, 7 Weeks to 100 Pushups, on Wednesday, September 12. The app codes went to Scott, Thad, Erik, Leslie and Tisha on Monday, September 17. If you didn't win either of these prizes, you can still purchase them at www.hundredpushups.com.

40 comments:

bikedad said...

I am up for improving my upper body strength.

Rita M said...

I work landscape - I NEED to keep/build upper body strength this winter! :)

Amy Jones, MS, RD, LD said...

I need this book! :-)

Danny said...

I absolutely love this program!

Phil G. said...

Sounds like just what I need!

Eric Jobes said...

i want this book so i can get healthier

Unknown said...

Love it! Doing 5 push UPS alone us intimidating, but 100!?! Whew! Impressive. Hope I can do it.

Scooter said...

Great review Mike

HD said...

I love the app as well. I'd love to win a copy of the book though :)

HD said...

Tweeted :) @climbrunliftmom

Jake Smolowe said...

Love the app! Would love to win the book :)

Mark said...

Loved the review! I've used the app, but haven't stuck with it. You made me want to fire it back up. :)

Unknown said...

Super excited about starting my challenge. I am a mother, an Army wife, and I work in law enforcement not much time to hit the gym the way I would like. Being fit is important to me and my family and this definatley fits into our busy life. Best of luck to everyone, Stay motivated, Cant wait to feel the burn.

Darkmajki said...

I want this book

Gabriel said...

This book would be useful book. I am currently in the hundred push ups program at week 3. Thank you.

citlaja said...

i totally want this book so bad. i have noodle arms :I

Unknown said...

My experiences are similar to Mike's. I started running to lose weight, but didn't like my moobs. I started the hundred push up plan and feel a lot better about my upper body. Thanks for promoting this.

K Maul said...

I'd love this book, Mikey!

Robert said...

I'm definitely interested in the book. Thanks for detailing your journey, as I am just beginning.

Unknown said...

This sounds great and a way that I can max my army fitness test on the push ups...thanks, I'll definitely have to give it a try

Keith said...

THis book has been on my reading list for a while, would love to be able to finally read it and get with the program!

stuckeyfisher said...

Sounds like a great giveaway!

Papamev said...

Awesome. Can't wait to give it a read.

Unknown said...

100 push ups has helped me tone up big time so cant be grateful enough if i'm honest. A book to introduce the guys at freshers soon would be brilliant though!

Matthew R Dybedahl said...

Would love the chance to win

Unknown said...

The winner of the @100pushups giveaway is Julie Hess! A comment on my blog paid off! Email your mailing address to pocketneif at gmail dot com and I'll have Steve send the autographed book your way.

Unknown said...

Didn't win the @100pushups book giveaway? A new giveaway starts soon! iPhone and iPad app codes are coming!

Thad Sweet said...

Who could say no to an Idiot challenge such as this! Please hook me up!

Unknown said...

This seems like a great program to follow & I'm interested in giving it a try.

Unknown said...

I have tried this program several times (over 5) and keep stalling after week 4. Hoping the app will help me keep going.

Scooter said...

So cool what you are doing here Mike

captainjack2210 said...

It's good to see a training regime which doesn't require going to the gym. this is the kind of training I needed :)

Erik Ammon said...

I would love to win one! I've tried this program a couple times, but never got past a few weeks :( I did get up to 50 push-ups, though!

Erik Ammon said...

Shameless promotions :) Gotta love them! Anytime, mention me in your tweets for your blog! Woooo!! Here's my link for tweeting!!!
https://twitter.com/RunningMoose13/status/246425392989224960

Unknown said...

I would love to win!

Unknown said...

Still waiting for Julie Hess to respond and claim her prize. You only have till next Wednesday, Julie! Send me an email at pocketneif at gmail dot com!

Bobbie Lynn Eicher said...

I definitely need some upper body strength!

Keith said...

This would really help with my workout plan, count me in!

Unknown said...

The winners of the five @100pushups app codes are Tisha White, Kristie Cranford, Leslie Moran, Thad Sweet and Erik Ammon! Congrats! Send me an email at pocketneif at gmail dot com and I'll get you your prize codes as quickly as I can.

Unknown said...

There was a bit of confusion, so we have a new fifth winner of the iPhone/iPad app code. Congrats to Scott Conner!