Weighted press ups - does anyone else do them?

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

I have been emphasising press ups more in the last few months. I am now doing around 6 sets of 20 in a session.

As a progression, I am experimenting with weighted press ups and finding them a good challenge.

So today I did
5 x 10 press ups with 10kg weight on my back
2 x 20 bodyweight press ups

Anyone else do this press up type? Any tips and tricks for progressing weighted press ups?

Anywhere between 45 seconds and a minute. Sets of 3 or 4. Planks are very boring so that's long enough.

Edited to add that the best core exercise I have ever found is the hollow hold. I have very strong abs (under the fat) but a minute in a hollow hold has me crying for mercy.

press ups, I can do 5 full decent ones and then on knees. It took me 3 years to do one full PU , and 18 months on can still only do 5. Any advice!

Never do them from your knees. Commit to the full press up, even if you have to "worm" it up. Do 5 strict press ups, rest as long as you need, then do 5 more.

I learnt to do them with a very strict PT - he's still only gives me "very good" - I'm aiming for "perfect."

That's a good call really. I've been reflecting on whether I should see someone as it's quite frustrating. I'm a bit impatient and definitely caused some injury by over doing the rehab, but I've been far better now and it's still painful.

Okay. What exactly is a hollow hold as I've never done one?

Also abs under fat - yep, ditto 😉

I don't suppose you're anywhere near Hampshire? As I have someone there I'd really recommend

Hollow hold: lie on your back, legs outstretched, arms either by your sides or above your head (I think that way is easier). Press navel to backbone and then press all of the spine along the floor. Keeping your abs & back tight onto the floor, lift your feet off by no more than a couple of inches, ditto your head, shoulders, and arms. The closer your extremities are to the floor, the harder it is.

After a minute you will be crying.

Unfortunately not (I was 25 years ago 😁)

Wow, that’s amazing I’ve been working on my upper body strength this year now I’m late 40’s and can now do 2 x 5 proper press-ups which I am well chuffed with.

I want to be able to do a chin up, I’m not sure of my progress, I need to wait until the gym is pretty much empty in case I can’t lift myself at all and make a right tit of myself 😂

Ha, just tried that for 20-30s and see what you mean!

Kerri, resistance bands are your friends here. There are Youtube short tutorials showing how to loop them over the bar (is dead easy) and then they partially support you

I am enjoying this thread! So informative- thanks for sharing your experience!
can i ask about holds, any hold not just hollow. I find that i cant hold my back very straight (like a 70degree angle) and i tend to be more like 40-50 degrees and it huts my back. How can i redress more? I cannot pinpoint the issue, is it a weak core, a weak back? Weak armstrings? Thanks

edited to say: i wonder if i should use a pilate ball to support my back as a first step and when more comfortable/straight to remove it?

@Placestogo I'm not sure I understand your problem. Holding your back straight in what position?

@Wadsworthy in a hollow hold, or any type of similar/modified hold positions

@Placestogo not sure but sounds like core in that case? I actually think press ups might help you here!