November Push-Up Challenge

on November 2, 2011
in November Push-Up Challenge

As much as I love to run, I think it’s very important to have non-mileage goals as well (here’s why).  No matter how much you love running (or spin or swimming or Zumba), putting all your eggs in one fitness basket just isn’t wise – and can lead to injury.

 

Last month, my non-mileage goal was to do a handstand push-up (with my legs against the wall or some one holding me up – come on, let’s be realistic).  And yesterday, I did it!  I started off by doing lots of handstand, then little arm dips, and then eventually a full-in handstand push-up.

 

In November, my goal is to get to 50 push-ups in a row.  I’ll be loosely following the One Hundred Push-ups Challenge but shortening it to 50 and making lots of modifications along the way.

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(Source)

 

I’ve used this program before and maxed out at 50 push-ups, although I do think 100 push-ups is obtainable with the program (it would definitely take longer than 6 weeks for me to do it!).  Anyway, I see this little November challenge as something fun to do in the morning… in the warmness of my house.  I did 15 real push-ups (with one break) and 20 ‘girlie’ push-ups today.

 

50 push-ups – BRING IT ON.  I’ll check in with my push-ups three times a week, if you want to follow along!

{ 80 comments }

 

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat November 2, 2011, 8:56 am

    Congratulations on the headstand pushups Caitlin – that’s awesome! And good luck on the 50 push-ups. I’m sure you can do it if you’ve got the guns to do pushups on your head! 😉

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat November 2, 2011, 8:59 am

    I’ve thought about doing that challenge too – modifications to get to 50 seems much more reasonable!

  • Sunny November 2, 2011, 9:00 am

    I just finished a half marathon and have decided to do the 100 pushups and 200 situp challenges. I have no arm strength currently so it should be interesting 😉

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:12 pm

      The 200 situp challenge also looks fun!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday November 2, 2011, 9:00 am

    My challenge for November is a Holiday Health Challenge to get me back on track before Christmas. I laid out several goals that I want to achieve in the 50 days between November 5th and December 25th.

  • Danielle November 2, 2011, 9:01 am

    I needed a new challenge – this is perfect! I’m really horrible at consistently doing strength training and hopefully this will help me put more focus on that aspect of my fitness. Can’t always be about the cardio!

  • Clare November 2, 2011, 9:03 am

    Don’t you worry about doing so much chest work and no back work at all? Especially if you have postural issues from sitting at a desk all day (not saying you specifically, but this is a common problem), doing so much chest work seems like a bad idea.

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:13 pm

      First of all, you have my favorite name 🙂

      Secondly, I haven’t thought of this! I hope swimming evens it out. Any suggestions for good at-home back workouts?

  • Amanda November 2, 2011, 9:09 am

    I find push-ups to be so challenging, even after months of body pump classes. I recently started taking body attack (another class from les mills) and there’s this track with 72 triceps/regular pushups, with variations of planks in between sets. It KILLS me every time, but I know it’s making me so much stronger. It’s a love/hate relationship. 🙂

  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table November 2, 2011, 9:18 am

    Way to go!!! I did my 100 this morning. 🙂

  • Another *** Diet Girl November 2, 2011, 9:27 am

    I’m in for sure! (slightly modified to get to 50 by the end of the month). I do body pump and run fairly regularly but am a weakling when it comes to push-ups so this would be a great challenge – plus I think if I could it my friends and family would be pretty impressed!

  • Nicole Mullins November 2, 2011, 9:29 am

    I’ve done the pushup challenge twice! The first time I did it solely doing “girl” pushups and the second time with REAL pushups. It’s great because each workout doesn’t take very long but the results are impressive! Good luck!

  • Paige November 2, 2011, 9:35 am

    I did the 100 pushup challenge 2 years ago. I had somehow challenged my 26 year old male coworker to a pushup contest (I was 34). Somehow it had come up that it was easier for a short person to do pushups vs a tall person (I’m 5 foot 3 and he is 6 foot 3). He was in great shape as well. We had 6 weeks to train and I had stumbled on this program. I ended up doing 68 and he ended up doing 55 (no stopping and no modifications). It was a very sweet victory:). I keep meaning to do the challenge again and hit the 100.

    I definitely think having someone to compete against helped me stick with the training.

    I am very impressed with your headstand pushup!

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:14 pm

      Dang Paige. You kicked his ASS! LOL!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed November 2, 2011, 9:35 am

    I’m in! 50 seems like a ton, but I know when I was doing push-ups on a regular basis, they were definitely getting easier and easier. I’ve wanted to tone up my arms for a while and this will definitely help.

  • M November 2, 2011, 9:37 am

    Modified push u

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) November 2, 2011, 9:39 am

    Sounds like quite the goal to me! I did a few sets of ‘girly’ style push ups yesterday and I feel it today- OW! 🙂

  • M November 2, 2011, 9:40 am

    I can’t type. “Modified” push ups, not “girly” push ups! 🙂 That’s tantamount to saying someone throws like a girl and whatnot.

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 9:53 am

      Haha you’re prob right. But I like to say ‘girlie pushups’. 🙂

  • katie @ KatieDid November 2, 2011, 9:47 am

    I work on my pushups daily too! I’m up to about 45 right now but hope to keep pushing myself. Maybe I’ll take on this challenge with you and keep plugging away at it!

  • Axel November 2, 2011, 9:49 am

    I’m in! Should we have a hashtag to tweet our progess? Maybe #100pushups ?

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:15 pm

      Fun! Let’s do it!

  • Khushboo November 2, 2011, 9:51 am

    Good luck, I still bust out the girlie-knee push ups 🙂

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb November 2, 2011, 9:56 am

    i might be crazy, but i feel like i did the 100 push up challenge “with you” when you first started blogging… back in your SBR days!! am i making this up?! either way… excited to get on board!

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:15 pm

      YES! Thank you for reading for all this time, Kathleen. I appreciate it a lot.

  • Sana November 2, 2011, 9:59 am

    I love love doing push ups maybe not a 100, but a few is good enough for me 🙂

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) November 2, 2011, 10:08 am

    I just started this yesterday! I’m also aiming for 50- I can barely do 10 right now 🙂

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen November 2, 2011, 10:27 am

    I think pushups are honestly the hardest strength exercise out there! I don’t know why I find them so hard to do correctly even with a current strength training routine. I would be ecstatic with 50. Good luck!

  • Mac November 2, 2011, 10:32 am

    Umm, coolest thing ever that you did one! You have inspired me to try… first I need to stop being scared of getting into just a handstand position.

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:16 pm

      Do it against the wall 🙂 That helps me!

  • HTPDad November 2, 2011, 10:42 am

    I’ve wondered about this for a while – in two weeks of any kind of strength training, I notice a sudden improvement at the end of every two weeks – just curious to see if you are like this too, w/o the testosterone ya know but half the geneset.

    xoxo

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:16 pm

      I will try – let’s find out!

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In November 2, 2011, 10:45 am

    ooh I may join you on that one caitlin! I need a strength fitness goal! And maybe an ab one too…

  • Ashley @ Cooking for John November 2, 2011, 10:55 am

    I might just join you for this challenge! And do you mean HAND stand push ups? How does one do a head stand push up? 😉

  • lauren November 2, 2011, 10:56 am

    I want to join! Do you really think we can do 50 in a month? I can do 3 sets of 15 if I take a break between each set. I tried the 100 pushup challenge last year when you mentioned it (30 Day Shred came up then as well?) and I maxed out at 28 or 30 in a row. I need to work on appropriate form because sometimes my wrists hurt during pushups and dips – any pointers?

  • Army Amy* November 2, 2011, 10:59 am

    I love a good challenge! I’m horrible at push-ups, so the 25 push-up challenge might be more realistic for me!*

  • Katharine November 2, 2011, 11:14 am

    I’m in! Pushups are something I’m TERRIBLE at and would love to be able to do. (So far, it’s only girlie pushups for me!)

  • Angie November 2, 2011, 11:25 am

    Good challenge 🙂
    I am definitely going to have a go. I would like to be able to do more than 1 proper push up at a time.
    I don’t know if I’ll do fifty but I’m going to give it a go 🙂

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats November 2, 2011, 11:34 am

    What a good idea! I can’t do more than about 20 push-ups and I’ve always wanted to be able to do a lot! I’m so doing this!

  • Katie November 2, 2011, 11:52 am

    Sweet! I’m definitely following along.

  • Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled November 2, 2011, 11:55 am

    That’s a great challenge. Is it 100 in a row?
    I do about 105 push-ups every other day, but those are done in sets. I think the most I could do in a row is maybe 220 – 25.

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:18 pm

      Yup – 100 in a row! I don’t know about that.

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com November 2, 2011, 11:57 am

    Wow push ups are definitely a challenge!!! but i think they are a great way to build strength and sexy muscle. I should really try this because my goal is to do less cardio, and more strength training! what better way than with your own body weight!

  • sonia November 2, 2011, 12:10 pm

    Hi, I remember a while back you had a link to your husbands clinic store, but now i cant find it anymore..is it still active?

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:19 pm

      Yup! It’s theholisticdocisin.com but the site is currently down. If you want to specifically order something, you can email Kristien at kboyle@holisticcharlotte.com and he’ll help ya out!

  • Becky @ Fit Chick on the Fly November 2, 2011, 12:16 pm

    Sounds like a fun challenge! But tough for sure!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 2, 2011, 12:41 pm

    I love push ups. They make me feel so strong and empowered!

  • Liz November 2, 2011, 12:50 pm

    Good for you! I’ve gotten up to about 50 as well with this program, and then usually my motivation slides….but hey, 50 is better than 15!

    My November fitness goal is to follow the New Rules of Lifting for Women twice a week and do a long yoga session once a week with a few short ones.

    I’m also participating in National Novel Writing Month and trying to bang out 50,000 words by November 30! Hopefully I can do it!

  • Candice November 2, 2011, 12:53 pm

    I’m totally in!! I think thats a great idea! IT is vital to make goals in every aspect of fitness! 😉

  • Jen November 2, 2011, 1:02 pm

    i have serious love for pushups. my favorite. 🙂

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife November 2, 2011, 1:04 pm

    WAhoo! Go you-that rocks! I want to do this too 🙂

  • Hayley @ Oat Couture November 2, 2011, 1:05 pm

    Great challenge!! Push ups are a sure fire way to feel absolutely badass! Reason enough to do them! 🙂 Good luck!!

  • Ashley @ Good Taste Healthy Me November 2, 2011, 1:13 pm

    omg this is too funny. I was just thinking about doing a challenge like this! Love it!

  • PressureCookerDiaries November 2, 2011, 1:18 pm

    Awesome! I did this once and maxed out at 65 push-ups. I’ve been wanting to try it again too.

  • Hillary November 2, 2011, 1:52 pm

    Count me in. I’m just starting my training for my second half marathon, and I need something other than running as my focus!

  • Ruthiey November 2, 2011, 1:53 pm

    Hey you were looking for inspiration for running! Here are some movie clips from great movies about running that might help! 🙂

    http://www.buzzfeed.com/nikerunning/10-most-inspirational-runs-in-film-47ic

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:19 pm

      FUN!!! 🙂

  • Ellie@fitforthesoul November 2, 2011, 1:53 pm

    I sooo agree that fitness shouldn’t be ONLY about one thing/sport/routine. I’m beginning to think more and more, just how “whole” I feel physically when I do lots of flexibility type stuff, strength/bodyweight training, AND cardio altogether. You go Caitlin! 🙂

  • Samantha November 2, 2011, 2:17 pm

    I started this challenge this week too! Today was my second day of week one.

  • Carina November 2, 2011, 2:22 pm

    Just an idea — if you’re doing the real, “chest to the ground” push-ups, the best way I’ve found to measure them (i.e., to make sure I’m going all the way down and not cheating myself) is to use a tennis ball. As soon as the center of my sports bra hits it, that counts in my book.

    • Caitlin November 2, 2011, 3:20 pm

      Nice. I will try this once I get a bit better!

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair November 2, 2011, 2:22 pm

    Wow a headstand pushup is HARDCORE! Way to go!

    My November goal is to strength train twice a week – upper body one day and lower body one day. Today was day #1 with upper body. Hope I can keep this up!

    I did 3 sets of 10 bench pushups (which is a modification I find a little more challenging than knee pushups) today so maybe I’ll look into doing my own pushup challenge. I used to be able to do 25 in a row (actually it was after I finished doing the 30 day shred for 30 days I was able to do that) but now I can barely squeak out 10!

  • Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} November 2, 2011, 2:23 pm

    My husband did something similar last year and it was awesome. He lost weight and got really strong from only doing push ups!

  • AmandaonMaui November 2, 2011, 2:26 pm

    A great goal! I like these programs that slowly work you up. Kind of like Couch Potato to 5k.

    I may have to join you in this. I’d like to be able to do 50 pushups, if not more.

  • Johanna B November 2, 2011, 2:46 pm

    Wow! a handstand pushup. I stand impressed!

  • Emily November 2, 2011, 2:54 pm

    Ooh! I want to join! Count me in!

  • Christie November 2, 2011, 3:21 pm

    Wow – a headstand pushup! I’m going to join you, I’m pretty sure I can only do ‘girly’ pushups, so I definitely need to give this challenge a shot!

  • Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel November 2, 2011, 4:12 pm

    I do strength-training every day (I alternate between abs/lower body one day, arms the other day), but push-ups are not my forte. At all. I’d love to be good at them, though, so maybe I’ll try this challenge with you!

  • Shannon November 2, 2011, 4:27 pm

    Ugh, I so suck at pushups! I do lots of weight training yet can’t lift my body weight up and down. SUCK! I’m so on for this challenge!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 2, 2011, 6:39 pm

    Awesome challenge! I think I may need to join you… I got tired after doing sets of 6 push ups today. 😛 They’re tough!

  • Luv What You Do November 2, 2011, 8:46 pm

    Count me in!
    Never tried it but I am looking for a new non-run challenge!!!

  • Sophie @ threetimesf November 3, 2011, 10:17 am

    Haha, everyone loves a ‘girly’ push up!

  • Kim November 3, 2011, 1:34 pm

    I want to do this too! I have decent upper body strength but I still feel like pushups are just so hard. I can do tons of chaturangas (in yoga) but even doing a few modified pushups is really challenging. I’m going to add this to workout schedule and see if I can at least make some progress.

    Awesome job on the handstand pushup by the way!

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