Elite Aesthetics Invitational

[Scrambler Fanny]

new pushup PR

dat form tho

IMO, great effort.  Just a few thoughts/suggestions from a bro:

-You wasted some effort on "throwing" yourself around (noticable when your hands come off the ground/shift).  Try to control the entire movement.
-Breathe!  Muscles need oxygen!  Holding breath/head turning red/exploding isn't conducive to max output.
-Strengthen your core (abs/butt) to avoid the dip in your back/butt rising as you get tired.
-Overall solid though.  You could easily hit 45-50 (with even better form) in a few weeks!
-Keep going! 

Fanny out

[Light]

Man, whenever I do pushups, I go down until my face/chest hits the floor (or nearly).  I guess I have always done them that way because I felt like that gave my muscles a better workout? IDK.

[flicker]

thanks for tips fanny

[youseinthehouse]

I did this to completion, blokes, and recommend it: http://hundredpushups.com/

[youseinthehouse]

If Jim is an Alpha Male then I'm playing Quarterback for the Eagles.

[Illu]

I was hoping for 50 heh but I think my form was pretty good, arms bending 90 degrees, 44th push was too much, only made it halfways lol.

[deletedprofile.u]

I don't typically post on the forums, but this thread is really inspiring to get back into shape (or at least to pump out pushups everyday). Up until about 4 years ago I'd have been in martial arts for about 11 years, holding a black belt in 2 different styles. I've broken 1.5 inch concrete with my hand ( I can take a pic for proof  :P) and exercised daily. Since then I've been focused on school and playing video games like a typical young dude.

I remember seeing that 100pushups site and this is some good motivation to get back into things. Will post a vid at some point soon.

Full name: Alec McDonald
Gender: I'm a dude, don't let the long hair throw you off.
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 150 lbs
PR: I don't remember exactly, when I was in shape, mid 60s or something.
Current Aesthetics: I'm a stick with limbs. 

[youseinthehouse]

I've broken 1.5 inch concrete with my hand ( I can take a pic for proof  :P)

We require video proof 'round here, sorry

[deletedprofile.u]

I've broken 1.5 inch concrete with my hand ( I can take a pic for proof  :P)

We require video proof 'round here, sorry

Aye, that's fine, but that wasn't the main point of my post. 

[Stoxenbawns]

Nice cat tower Illu.

43's not too bad, good job!

[Smit]

Alright, let me update you guys on what I am up to at the moment. I am weak as hell at the moment. My strength levels are not even novice level. After googeling around a lot I found this program.

Starting Strength is a beginner program for building a good foundation of strength (and later on move to a split program). Apparently this program has gotten a lot of praise for being the best program for a complete noob: http://startingstrength.wikia.com/

There are two different work-outs:

Workout A
Squat 3x5
Overhead press 3x5
Deadlift 1x5

Workout B
Squat 3x5
Bench Press 3x5
Deadlift 1x5

Three times a week and you alternative

Week 1 : A B A
Week 2 : B A B

[youseinthehouse]

I've broken 1.5 inch concrete with my hand ( I can take a pic for proof  :P)

We require video proof 'round here, sorry

Aye, that's fine, but that wasn't the main point of my post. 

If you broke the concrete block prior to 2012 your achievement will be grandfathered in under the old Aesthetics Proof Policy.

But srs, wouldn't mind seeing your pics.

[Witten]

Alright, let me update you guys on what I am up to at the moment. I am weak as hell at the moment. My strength levels are not even novice level. After googeling around a lot I found this program.

Starting Strength is a beginner program for building a good foundation of strength (and later on move to a split program). Apparently this program has gotten a lot of praise for being the best program for a complete noob: http://startingstrength.wikia.com/

There are two different work-outs:

Workout A
Squat 3x5
Overhead press 3x5
Deadlift 1x5

Workout B
Squat 3x5
Bench Press 3x5
Deadlift 1x5

Three times a week and you alternative

Week 1 : A B A
Week 2 : B A B

As someone who is very passionate about lifting weights and getting stronger I believe starting strength is probably the third best program you can run after the Powerlifting to Win Novice Program.  And GreySkull LP.

Which one of those two you choose depends on whether you want to overhead press or not.

Lifting weights is very much like speedrunning to me.  You put in time and hard work and you make very measurable progress; the reason that I basically chose lifting weights over speedrunning is that lifting weights tends to make me better in other areas of life, while speedrunning does not.

If anyone is interested in seeing how passionate I am about this, you are welcome to check out my YT Channel

[Smit]

Great to have you on board Witten. There are so many options out there for a beginniner and ive been overwhelmed with information. At this moment i just want to stick a program and stick with it for a little bit. I will probably do Starting Strenght for a few months for now and when I start stalling on my lifts I will go on to another program.

I am terrified of Benching btw, I much prefer dumbel benching over barbell but I dont think that makes too much of a different.

Oh yeah btw, critique my squat form. 60k @ 85kg. Really bad but I am weak as fuck at the moment!

[deletedprofile.u]

But srs, wouldn't mind seeing your pics.

Haha, I gotcha. 

Unfortunately I can only get pics of the block which is broken, this is what happens when you allow your step mother to attempt using a video camera at a crucial moment. 

[Witten]

Great to have you on board Witten. There are so many options out there for a beginniner and ive been overwhelmed with information. At this moment i just want to stick a program and stick with it for a little bit. I will probably do Starting Strenght for a few months for now and when I start stalling on my lifts I will go on to another program.

I am terrified of Benching btw, I much prefer dumbel benching over barbell but I dont think that makes too much of a different.

Oh yeah btw, critique my squat form. 60k @ 85kg. Really bad but I am weak as fuck at the moment!

Yeah there will be nothing wrong with SS, it is a great program.  As for weight gain, I do not know how skinny you are.  Aim for a .5 kg/ 1 lbs a week for 1-2 months if you are super skinny.  After the first month or two I would back it off to .25kg/ .5 lbs a week.  If you would like to lose weight, I would just start out with a small deficit.  You do not have to eat a ton or eat like shit to make good progress.  After you stall on SS (could be over 6 months), I would recommend the Texas Method.

Your squat form looks actually pretty decent from what I can see.  I would recommend some flat sole shoes to give you a more solid base; it looks like you are wearing running shoes.  Make sure that you are trying to get really tight before you descend into the hole; I cannot really tell from the video, but I definitely recommend breathing in and bracing your core on every single lift you perform (not just for the squat).

Keep learning as much as you can, if you are interested in this type of stuff, and I will be happy to help you if I have time (which will probably only be on the weekends).

The reason that you should use a barbell as opposed to dumbbells is because it will be easier to get set up for a barbell bench press rather than a dumbbell.  It is hard to stay tight getting the dumbbells in position, where as on the barbell bench press you can get set up before you unrack the weight, this will allow for more consistent progress because you can ensure you get set up the same way every time.

Take your time to learn the bench press technique.  It took me over a year to get the technique down and I wasn't make consistent progress beforehand, so it definitely is worth the time.  I recommend this video(or article), but it will probably take a lot of patience Bench Press .  You do not necessarily need an ultra wide grip, but the rest of the principals are good.

[Smit]

Thanks for the reply Witten.

Yeah, I read that about not using running shoes for most compound lifts. I prefer to do them with either socks or totally barefoot. Not sure if I am at the level where I want to invest in lifting shoes

[Witten]

Also, I think Omar Isuf has some of the best beginner content.  I find him quite annoying, but his advice is good.

You can email me at dwit392@gmail.com, if you have any more questions.  I will probably answer that even during the week if I have time at work.  Any flat shoes will do seriously, lol, but I understand not wanting to invest in lifting shoes if you don't have any.  I actually lifted barefoot for the first year until I got more serious.

[Imperfect Clark]

Are there any categories related to mustache growing?

[Smit]

Sure. You against Wodah mustache battle..

FIGHT

[Smit]

Alright witten and other peeps

Little update. I starting taking creatine now and I am really feeling it. Went through a 5 day loading period and now I am taking 5 grams each day.

Been doing Starting Strenght for about 3 weeks now

Squat started at 60, overhead press at 30, bench at 30, deadlift at 50

Currently at 77.5 for quats, press at 37.5, bench at 50 and deadlift at 90

Good progress I think. I am starting to stall on the squats though, deadlifts are still feeling good. But I can feel my hips rising faster than my shoulders during my squats. I am breaking form. Deload or just increase weight with less increments?

[Witten]

Hey, I will reply to you more when I get back from work, but yes smaller increments are good for all lifts, and necessary for the press especially.

[Illu]

Never used creatine, figured I'd be getting enough from animal products but it's a bit interesting that you could actually feel a difference.

[Jimbo]

I used to put away close to 200g of protein per day for a very long time; obviously the difference maker in whether you make gains or just simply work out. Just a reminder Eise, you have a ways to go to watch me:



Keep at it young lad.

[Witten]

Alright witten and other peeps

Little update. I starting taking creatine now and I am really feeling it. Went through a 5 day loading period and now I am taking 5 grams each day.

Been doing Starting Strenght for about 3 weeks now

Squat started at 60, overhead press at 30, bench at 30, deadlift at 50

Currently at 77.5 for quats, press at 37.5, bench at 50 and deadlift at 90

Good progress I think. I am starting to stall on the squats though, deadlifts are still feeling good. But I can feel my hips rising faster than my shoulders during my squats. I am breaking form. Deload or just increase weight with less increments?

Yeah, try to make smaller jumps for squats.  I am not sure what kind of weights you have access to, but .5 kgs on both sides would still be reasonable.   I would continue to increase the weight unless your form is really bad, as a novice you can get stronger and improve your form at the same time.  Tipping over on squats tends to happen because you core gives out before your legs, it happens to a lot of people including myself.

Make sure you are gaining weight to continue to drive progress.

I don't have a strong opinion on creatine.  Some people don't respond at all (I have read 20-30% but I have no idea where that came from), and it generally doesn't help a ton, but if you like it and feel like it helps then keep taking.  I don't take it personally because it just isn't worth the hassle for me to take it.  There are many more important variables to making progress.

[Jimbo]

Pretty disappointed at this final total (43), way short of my personal best. I blame my regression in everything from my super messed up sleep schedule, I never have the ambition to go for runs/biking or go lift weights anymore.

[Imperfect Clark]

That bicep was pretty hulk, forgot about that.  Does it help get the mario karts around the turns?

[Illu]

tied me 

[Illu]

Deadlift 160kg (353lbs)

PR by 20kg, will try to get this on cam next time :P

[Smit]

  Nice Ilari.. I did 100kg last sesh.

[Illu]

 ;D

[Lark]

Push-ups: 64

Add me to the rankings, MirrorMage

[Aztec Exemplar]

Updated. Grats on taking 2nd position.

[Illu]

64 is hot damn

[Stoxenbawns]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO1peD8wBuM

[Illu]

Nice looking pushups there there Eric, and nice improvement too, looked like you could have squeezed one more maybe.

I'll have to try this again too sometime soon.

[Illu]

Tried for a new pushup PR today but the vid failed, the vid freezes for like 30sec, funny thing is I didn't even count because I thought I'd do the counting from the vid but it felt like more than 43.

[SimThreat]

Push-ups: 64

Add me to the rankings, MirrorMage

If you trace your lower back up to your upper back and down to the top of you head you will see an inverted V. This is very poor form and your range of motion is small because of this. I.e 'cheat pushups'.

In saying that i will get around to posting a vid soon. Given that the majority of vids ive seem here have absolutely horrendous form i wont be able to match numbers though.

[Lark]

It is impossible for your lower back and head to be completely level when you raise your body to its highest point. Watch any video of fitness gurus doing pushups on Youtube and you'll see realize this.

If you pause the video during my lowest point of descension (my chest is almost touching the ground) you will see that my whole body is completely level.

I positioned my arms shoulder-width apart, so I did achieve a full range of motion.

[Soft-Hedwig]

I'm lazy and I don't really follow any specific programmes but I've been doing free weights on and off for a while.

Did 3x5 @ 120kg for squats yesterday. Nearly at the level I was a few years ago (3x5ish @ 140kg). In terms of standard exercises squats are the only thing I try and do semi-regularly.

Bench is around 3x5 @ 80kg. Possibly my least favourite exercise.

Deadlifts at about 3x3 @ 120kg. Deadlifts are more difficult to do at the gym I work out at though because of space considerations, so I hardly ever do them.

I've got no idea for max weight for any of the exercises....I've never tried.

Form almost certainly not optimal, but it has definitely gotten better over time. I don't think I care enough to spend excessive amounts of time on form, although I know I probably should. Suffice to say that my form is probably 10x better than Larkin's pushup form 

[SimThreat]

It is impossible for your lower back and head to be completely level when you raise your body to its highest point. Watch any video of fitness gurus doing pushups on Youtube and you'll see realize this.

If you pause the video during my lowest point of descension (my chest is almost touching the ground) you will see that my whole body is completely level.

I positioned my arms shoulder-width apart, so I did achieve a full range of motion.

Larkin: I did not say your back and head should be level, I implied it should not be an inverted V. Please see this picture of your pushup while you are at your lowest point...



1. Your knees are buckled and sagging.
2. You have very poor posture and your head pokes out forward very far relative to your upper back. It's impossible to correct the posture fully but you need to compensate when doing a pushup by pulling your head back and angling it slightly back. This way you're forehead will not stop your range of motion.
3. Look at your reflection in the mirror, you will see that because of your bad posture your chest is actually no where near the ground. Unless your pecs poke out 12 inches your chest is far from touching.
4. Your elbows are coming out sideways and not naturally downward. This destroys the posture in your upper back even further because it's not our natural range of motion. Observe the form in the vid you provided...



Elbows coming down not out. He corrects bad posture in his upper back by tilting his head backwards and pulling it up. You can see that because of this compensation his CHIN is closer to the ground than his forehead, this is a sign of correct form.

You can see that in your pushup the form is so bad that you are not even able to get your arms at a 90 degree angle. Your shoulders remain above your elbows at all times.

I provide this feedback on the chance that you're interested in doing correct form on your pushups. If you're not interested don't take it personally. This feedback applies to most other vids I saw as well.

[Smit]

I'm lazy and I don't really follow any specific programmes but I've been doing free weights on and off for a while.

Did 3x5 @ 120kg for squats yesterday. Nearly at the level I was a few years ago (3x5ish @ 140kg). In terms of standard exercises squats are the only thing I try and do semi-regularly.

Bench is around 3x5 @ 80kg. Possibly my least favourite exercise.

Deadlifts at about 3x3 @ 120kg. Deadlifts are more difficult to do at the gym I work out at though because of space considerations, so I hardly ever do them.

I've got no idea for max weight for any of the exercises....I've never tried.

Form almost certainly not optimal, but it has definitely gotten better over time. I don't think I care enough to spend excessive amounts of time on form, although I know I probably should. Suffice to say that my form is probably 10x better than Larkin's pushup form 

Those numbers are quite decent Durk! Not bad at all. Keep it up..

Yeah, gotta agree about the pushups. Doing a correct form push-up is tough as hell body straight and chest to the floor, mine were terrible form as well.

[SimThreat]

33 good form pushups.

[PerfectTaste]

I'm lazy and I don't really follow any specific programmes but I've been doing free weights on and off for a while.

Did 3x5 @ 120kg for squats yesterday. Nearly at the level I was a few years ago (3x5ish @ 140kg). In terms of standard exercises squats are the only thing I try and do semi-regularly.

Bench is around 3x5 @ 80kg. Possibly my least favourite exercise.

Deadlifts at about 3x3 @ 120kg. Deadlifts are more difficult to do at the gym I work out at though because of space considerations, so I hardly ever do them.

I've got no idea for max weight for any of the exercises....I've never tried.

Form almost certainly not optimal, but it has definitely gotten better over time. I don't think I care enough to spend excessive amounts of time on form, although I know I probably should. Suffice to say that my form is probably 10x better than Larkin's pushup form 

Nice going Durk!

All I've been doing lately is working and working out. I have a bit extra weight because of my three years studying gastronomy. In three weeks I've managed to drop around a kilo and gained a lot of strength, doing a lot of free weight and cardio. Already feel a lot better about my physique and it's only the beginning. Eating pretty much only tuna/meat/protein/beans and vegetables, and every 7th day I do a day heavy on carbs and everything else to boost my metabolism. Except eggs in the morning, I only eat between 12:30 and 19:30 everyday. Also try to get a lot of sleep and at least 48 hours rest between exercises for each muscle group. Will post before and after pic.

Not PB's but what my strengths is like at the moment, already much better than the first week. Lifting weight definitely seems to be a part of muscle memory somehow. Slow and as perfect form as possible:
- Squats 3x6 @ 80kg (Used to to front squats to get better form)
- Bench 3x6 @ 70kg
- Deadlifts 3x6 @ 100kg
- My pace on 5kms is usually around 26 minutes.

I'm around 79kgs (175 pounds) and I would be happy to be around 75 (165 pounds) and more ripped. Would be nice to hit 100kg in bench, and around 150 in both squat and deadlift. I'd like to get down to sub 22 minutes comfortably in 5kms.

On topic I only do around 20 push-ups, but I do good form push-ups (chest reaching the floor, barely touching the ground). I used to do push-ups between chairs, so doing them the way I've seen most in this topic feels like I'm just swaying my arms a bit.

[Smit]

Good going Patrik. Yeah I noticed on your graduation pick that you looked a bit puffy in your face   

Good luck!

[AEB]

Full Name: Stefan Persson
Gender: Male
Weight: 85 kg / 187 lbs
Height: 184 cm / 6ft 07⁄16in
PR(s): Little bit over 100 back in 2009 (I think it was 102-105) when someone made a similar thread, but I weighed around 72 kg then and had more endurance. I also did the push-ups faster than in my video. I could probably do a bit over 70 fast push ups now.

I did 50 in this video and while it might be hard to see because of the bad quality and angle, my body and face almost touched the floor on every push-up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYWBGlwevQg

[Smit]

Full Name: Stefan Persson
Gender: Male
Weight: 85 kg / 187 lbs
Height: 184 cm / 6ft 07⁄16in
PR(s): Little bit over 100 back in 2009 (I think it was 102-105) when someone made a similar thread, but I weighed around 72 kg then and had more endurance. I also did the push-ups faster than in my video. I could probably do a bit over 70 fast push ups now.

I did 50 in this video and while it might be hard to see because of the bad quality and angle, my body and face almost touched the floor on every push-up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYWBGlwevQg

Good stuff Stefan. Video was a bit dark but they looked good

[AEB]

Thanks Eise! If I do another video, I'll make sure it's not as dark.

[Soft-Hedwig]

Does anyone have any suggestions for improving grip strength on deadlifts? I'm clearing 130kg+ sets pretty easily in mixed grip but the bar just slips out of my hands at that weight in normal grip.

Should I just reduce the weight a bit and do holds or something?

[Illu]

play more video games