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The “Perfect Pushup”

First off, if last week the ocean was a little choppy, this week is was just plain rough. At least the entry and exit were. A big shore break that pushed you back trying to get out and caused many tumbles trying to get back in. A few people even lost their goggles in the commotion. At least the water was warm!

For as long as I can remember, I have had a gym membership. And I used it. I started lifting weights pretty seriously around my freshman year in college and for many years I did much, much more strength training than cardio. It wasn’t until I started training for Ironman Lake Placid in 2007 that the balance shifted. But even then I was still hitting the weights at least a couple times each week.

When we moved to LA – and I stopped having a regular income – the gym membership was pretty much the first expense I cut. It wasn’t worth the money to me because I couldn’t bear the thought of being inside to exercise and frankly, I was getting bored with it.

On the other hand, I do recognize the value of strength training and cutting it out entirely goes against one of my cardinal rules, but I hoped I could get some basic stuff done on my own at home.

I was doing pushups and core work as well as a few exercises with our dumbbells and Therabands. Pushups are great, but I wanted something a little more. Enter the “Perfect Pushup”. You’ve definitely seen the “Get Ripped” commercial on TV. I’m smart enough to know that no matter how many perfect pushups I do, I’m never going to look like this guy, but I hoped it would at least give me some variety in my pushup workout. After a friend’s strong recommendation, I picked up a set at Target for $30. My first impression was surprise at how sturdy they feel. I assumed they would be flimsy pieces of shit, but they seem to be well-built. They’re also really easy and intuitive to use. I found that the wrist rotation is a fairly natural movement.

I’ve now been using them pretty consistently (~3 times per week) for the last six weeks. I mostly do their standard “2 Minute Drill” workout. There are four basic positions – feet on chair, regular, wide hands and narrow. For each position, I do three sets within two minutes, for the first set I do 18-20 reps, the second is 12-13 and the third is 7-9. I do that four times with a break in between each one to do a little core work.

My verdict: For a cheap investment, it’s a good piece of equipment. I’m not gonna get “ripped”, but I feel like I’m gaining upper body strength and definition. Perfect Pushups are harder than regular ones and put less stress on my wrists and hands. They’re also more interesting than regular pushups and pulling the equipment out of the closet makes it more likely that I’ll finish my planned sets. It’s a good chest workout and hits triceps and shoulders and a little core as well, but it’s not a substitute for a full-range of upper body exercises at the gym. (It doesn’t take six weeks to figure that out!)

Blogger Merrill suggested the Iron Gym a few weeks ago for pull-ups. I haven’t gotten that yet, but I think it would be a nice complement to the Perfect Pushup.

Swim – June 15
Distance: 3,280 meters (3,000 yards)
Time: 1:09

LA Tri Club Griffith Park Brick – June 16
Total Time: 2:24
Bike:
Distance: 21.3 miles
Time: 1:18:33
Average heart rate: 129
Transition Time: 7:41
Run:
Distance: 7.1 miles
Time: 57:55
Average heart rate: 150
Conditions: Evening, low 70’s/high 60’s, sunny and clear

LA Tri Ocean Speed Circuit – June 17
Distance: 2,000 yards (4 laps)
Time: 37 minutes
Conditions: Rough and tumble! Warm water.