Push-ups: Feet elevated vs regular

[jbiddle2212]

I have been doing regular push-ups (using push-up bars to take some strain off of my wrists) as part of my warm-up on my chest training days, and recently it was suggested to me that I might want to do "feet elevated" push-ups for more of a challenge/better workout.

A couple of questions about this style of push-up:

1. I know that it "adds more weight" which makes it a harder/more advanced style of push-up, but does this target a different part of the chest/shoulder/tricep?

2. What is your personal preference in terms of push-ups and why?

[itwasntme184]

This would target your upper chest more... think of it like an incline press.

I think pushups are a waste of time ... I warm up for bench by doing low weight in bench etc...

[keys_10]

This would target your upper chest more... think of it like an incline press.

I think pushups are a waste of time ... I warm up for bench by doing low weight in bench etc...

As said here it will but more emphasis on you're upper chest.

Pushups are far from a waste of time to many. If you like them keep doing them OP.

[GymMeathead]

1. When you have your feet elevated it works your upper chest.

2. Pushups are good at the end of your workout. Its good to do a couple sets to failure to really finish off your chest.

I think pushups are a waste of time ... I warm up for bench by doing low weight in bench etc...

Pushups are not a waste of time.

[jbiddle2212]

1. When you have your feet elevated it works your upper chest.

2. Pushups are good at the end of your workout. Its good to do a couple sets to failure to really finish off your chest.

On my last chest workout, I actually started it with 3 sets of elevated push-ups and then finished off my workout with one set till failure and I was more sore than I've been in quite a while. I think I'm going to continue doing that. Thanks for the info!

[chazzy1864]

Pushups are not a waste of time.

To him they are. Hence, him thinking that.

[GymMeathead]

On my last chest workout, I actually started it with 3 sets of elevated push-ups and then finished off my workout with one set till failure and I was more sore than I've been in quite a while. I think I'm going to continue doing that. Thanks for the info!

No problem. Pushups are a great way to warm up, or to really kill your chest at the end.

To him they are. Hence, him thinking that.

Honestly pushups arent a waste of time for anyone IMO. Anyone can get a lot out of pushups.

[chazzy1864]

Honestly pushups arent a waste of time for anyone IMO. Anyone can get a lot out of pushups.

If muscular endurance is the goal, then I think they are an excellent movement.

If strength or hypertrophy is your goal, I feel they become pointless unless you add weight. If you are doing that, I just feel there are more efficient ways to overload the target muscles. If you don't have access to a gym or workout equipment, then sure, it is better than nothing and you do what you gotta do.

[Engineer_Guy]

Honestly pushups arent a waste of time for anyone IMO. Anyone can get a lot out of pushups.

They are a waste of time if you aren't interested in being good at push ups.

[Xuaxace]

Honestly pushups arent a waste of time for anyone IMO. Anyone can get a lot out of pushups.

I don't do them... what can I expect if I introduce them to my routine?

[GymMeathead]

I don't do them... what can I expect if I introduce them to my routine?

Do 3 sets to failure at the end of your chest day and tell me how sore your chest is the next day. They are a great way to really finish off your chest. You will notice more definition in your chest and more endurance on your bench.

[fazzenterprises]

I don't do them... what can I expect if I introduce them to my routine?

more core strength, and muscle endurance. There good for warming up before workout or as a finisher

[itwasntme184]

If muscular endurance is the goal, then I think they are an excellent movement.

If strength or hypertrophy is your goal, I feel they become pointless unless you add weight. If you are doing that, I just feel there are more efficient ways to overload the target muscles. If you don't have access to a gym or workout equipment, then sure, it is better than nothing and you do what you gotta do.

This ^ I should clarify that I meant pushups are a waste of time for warming up for chest, I think warming up should involve the exercise you are warming up for, with less weight. I can see how pushups are good for burning out at the end. For building mass, they are a waste because you wouldn't get a high enough intensity without added weight.

[doinmiabs]

I actually have a space in my gym where I start with my feet elevated, drop them to a midpoint and then end with them on the floor. A few sets of these after a good chest workout and it feels like your pecs are at their max. Much LUV for the pushup! Do 'em!

[ebn2002]

I put my feet up high and do a few sets to failure on my knuckles, then make a diamond with my index and pinky fingers on the floor and do some of those to failure. The diamond hits the chest really well.

[scotchchris]

I like um, but I do them with weights (work out at home). Think they're good for anyone, they kill me every time. Every time I have to do them I need to get pumped up mentally beforehand or else i'll fail miserably.

[sy2502]

This ^ I should clarify that I meant pushups are a waste of time for warming up for chest, I think warming up should involve the exercise you are warming up for, with less weight. I can see how pushups are good for burning out at the end. For building mass, they are a waste because you wouldn't get a high enough intensity without added weight.

I have problems with my shoulders, and I use pushups to warm and loosen them up before bench pressing.
In with the others who don't think they are a waste of time.

[Tyciol]

I know that it "adds more weight" which makes it a harder/more advanced style of push-up, but does this target a different part of the chest/shoulder/tricep?

Yes, it does. Elevating the feet declines the torso. What this will do is flex the shoulder joint to a greater degree at lockout (and in regards to elbows) and change the angle you're pushing at.

As you elevate the feet, load gets shifted more from the lower chest to the upper chest, and eventually to the front deltoid.

Also: the more you elevate, the more stretch you will get in the long head of your triceps and the more it will get recruited, in theory. It doesn't affect the medial/lateral heads, they remain the same length.

2. What is your personal preference in terms of push-ups and why?

Flat, because I'm weak and lazy and they're easier.

If strength or hypertrophy is your goal, I feel they become pointless unless you add weight.

Around how many declined push ups should someone be able to do before they become pointless for hypertrophy?

If someone is trying to get triceps hypertrophy, should they find something else to do once they can do 20 hand stand push ups?

[chazzy1864]

Around how many declined push ups should someone be able to do before they become pointless for hypertrophy?

If someone is trying to get triceps hypertrophy, should they find something else to do once they can do 20 hand stand push ups?

That is probably a good rule of thumb.
I can say, the handstand push ups are pretty solid exercises for the long head, presumably for the reason you listed above (stretching it, thus more recruitment).

I think most i here were referring to regular push ups. I could see them being used as a finisher to get a good final pump and lots of blood rushing. As a warm up, I'm with the other guys who would rather warm up with the exercise you're about to do (i.e. ramp up with bench). I also, personally, have always been rather decent at chest dips and prefer just using bodyweight and using that exercise as my to failure finisher at the end of a workout.