I now keep my elbows in when I push up the pint......

Too much cardio too few push ups?

March 23rd, 2011
Author: Jeff Taylor

As a regular gym-goer the following two articles caught my eye.
Research now shows that too much cardiovascular training can actually damage your heart. The researchers conducted a study of the hearts health of some very fit but ‘older’ male athletes and found some disturbing results.

The athletes had all been part of a national or Olympic team of distance runners or rowers as well as runners who had completed a minimum of 100 marathons.
The men who had gone through the most rigorous training along the way were the most affected by heart muscle scarring. “The research effectively shows that years of strenuous cardiovascular exercise can damage your heart“.
This has been backed up by a laboratory study of rats, which shows a direct link between prolonged intense exercise and scarring and structural changes of the heart.
The New York Times says: “Unfortunately, it remains impossible, at the moment, to predict just what that threshold is for any given person, and which athletes might be most vulnerable to heart problems as a result of excessive exercise“.
As Dr Mercola says in his comments, just opting for some sort of aerobic or cardio training may not be the best bet for you over the long haul. The studies may also explain why some seemingly extremely fit people die at a young age. He cites the case of the US marathon runner Alberto Salazer who nearly died of a heart attack at the age of 49.

Many people, according to The Post Game, have forgotten (or never realised) what a powerful exercise the humble push up (or press up depending on where you come from) can be.
As the article points out, it is far more macho to say ‘I can bench xxx lbs’ as opposed to ‘I can do xxx push ups’.
I personally am a great fan of the push up and do 100 or in a session of 4-5 sets of 20-25 depending on how I feel. It may not sound like much to some people but if you slow them down and do them under full control you can definitely feel the difference (especially the last 10).

US Marine Push-Ups

But the push up is not only demanding on the arms shoulders and chest (if properly executed) it also requires strength in the mid-section. It could therefore, according to Baltimore gym owner Nick Tumminello, effectively replace the sit-up. “The push-up is basically a plank position, so it’s actually a great abdominal exercise and there’s no reason to do planks if you can do (a significant number of) push-ups” he said.
He then goes on to explain how you can start with a few kneeling push ups if you are unused to them and find them difficult, before moving on the the regular type and then progress to a level where your feet are on a step or chair thus placing more weight on your arms.

You should aim to get the position just right for maximum results and this short video should help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UwRLWMcOdwI

Read more: http://www.economicvoice.com/too-much-cardio-too-few-push-ups/50017544#ixzz1IvKktKZn