Push ups - is it more effective to rest?

Question

I've started doing push ups to increase my chest muscles, I know I should go to the gym and do weights but I don't always have the time so push ups are my temporary quick fix to ensuring I'm getting some upper body muscle everyday. I am a professional dancer - I practice 7 hours a day so I am definitely getting a lot of exercise.

I started with normal push ups (30), and then over the weeks I gradually increased it to 70-80, then I would do 80 and then do 40, 30, 20. I then bought push up pro (http://www.pushuppro.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1) to help my push-ups. I now do 50 (as well as having my legs up on a chair), and then after, I do a small pyramid 10-15-20-15-10. Without push up pro, I could add many more push ups, but I think push up pro works my muscles better.

Here is my question though, my muscles feel worked and exerted after my workout, but I never get sore the next day. It seems no matter how many I do, I don't get sore. I also never miss a day of push ups. Should I do push-ups every 2nd day? Would that make it more effective?

Or should I really over-exert myself one day and do as many until I collapse, rest for a few minutes go again, rest, go again etc until I feel sore the next day, take a rest, and then do it again?

Answer 1

No because during every workout it is good to take a day break because muscles need to repair as when you say they feel sore and stuff it means the muscles have been ripped so give it a day to rest and repair if you dont trust me you will start feeling sore and you will losse muscle mass as a result of them being damaged.

Answer 2

You need to confuse your muscles and shock them for more growth. however dont over-train. in fact, undertrain, ie. take a break, take 1 or 2 days rest, than come back with more intencity. between chairs is good. change your width, mix it up with dips between chairs etc. keep mixing up your routine.

Answer 3

Your muscles have obviously become used to the push up movement and you need to stimulate them in different ways to improve your strength.  If you can do that many pushups already, you must have really great muscular endurance in those particular muscles. Push ups can be really hard.

First make sure you are using the full range of motion.  All the way down and all the way up.  Try also different hand positions, such as really really wide and then close together also-known as diamond pushups where your fingers touch and form a diamond shape between your hands. Alternate sets of the different positions.

Another idea is to do plyometric pushups where you clap your hands in the 'up' position between repetitions.  These really work those muscles in a different way.  Also try using resistance bands, put them around your back and put the ends under your hands.  Make sure that the band is tight in the 'down' position and then you will have to push up against your body weight and the band to get up.

I also do pushups in rings.  The rings are suspended from the roof and I do pushups with my hands in them.  The closer to the floor they are the harder it is. You really have to stabilise your whole body with no solid surface to push against.

Other exercises for your chest muscles include flyes (use the bands for these too) and of course any pressing movement laying on your back with weights.  For heaps of great intense workout ideas visit my website.  I am adding new stuff all the time and of course everything is free.

goodluck with those muscles

Answer 4

you would actually get more stronger and bigger when you rest more. work out 5 days a week. 3 days then rest 1 day, then 4 then 1 day off, repeat...when you work out you are actually breaking down your muscle, during your rest is when your muscles actually rebuild stronger and better. not when you actually work them out.

that is why resting is so important.

Answer 5

You should rest in between, it gives a chance for your muscles to rest and get bigger.

Answer 6

I'm not sure about your question. but I wanted to share with you what my late husband use to do and he had great pecs. three chairs, two up front and one in the back and u lower ur body. he had great!!!!pecs