push up question

[venomviper69]

when you do a push up what percent of your body weight are you actually pushing up? anyone know?

[Cammin4V]

12%.

[venomviper69]

funny.... :rolleyes:

[The Raven]

It's probably more like 80%.

[venomviper69]

Thats what i was thinkin...didnt know if there was some research or something that was done to see that

[ruffdaddy]

first off it depends on the person height...form, and the percent will not be a constant. There is a change in mechanical advantage as the angle between you and the ground increases. the only component you're actually lifting is the vertical component of your body weight...which is nearly 100% at parallel, but when you're at about 30 degrees with the ground its gonna be less (not including error it will be around [Wsin30]\h). Its all physics baby.

But if i had to guess i would say 80 initially finishing at about 65-70.

[venomviper69]

Nice, Bill Nye. I apprecaite the physics.

[ruffdaddy]

yeah no problem. But im pretty sure bill nye was more chemistry oriented. Could be wrong as i didnt watch to much of it.

What I'm really getting at is dont waste your time with push-ups as an exercise smart ass.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Nice, Bill Nye. I apprecaite the physics.

You started a thread asking a question and got an appropriate answer. If you don't like it, take it elsewhere.

[Jay Johnson]

If you have a mechanical scale(like a bathroom scale that doesn't use batteries),
you can find out with it. Just get into a push up position with both hands on the
scale.

For me, I weigh 180 and basically at every static position for a push up, the scale
reads 120. The scale registers about 66% of the body weight(for me).


Jay Johnson

[poopnut2]

If you have a mechanical scale(like a bathroom scale that doesn't use batteries),
you can find out with it. Just get into a push up position with both hands on the
scale.

For me, I weigh 180 and basically at every static position for a push up, the scale
reads 120. The scale registers about 66% of the body weight(for me).


Jay Johnson

I was thinking the typical pushup equals about 60% of a males weight. I think for women it's a little lowever. The more you elevate your feet though, the more the percentage is, but you're also changing the angle once you're past a 90 degree angle and are doing more of an incline rep than a bench.

[White_lightning]

Nice, Bill Nye. I apprecaite the physics.


lol. so you ask a physics question. and then when you get schooled on the answer you get defensive? lol

Looks like Ruff nye the Science guy schooled Slothviper69

[93powerranger]

If you have a mechanical scale(like a bathroom scale that doesn't use batteries),
you can find out with it. Just get into a push up position with both hands on the
scale.

For me, I weigh 180 and basically at every static position for a push up, the scale
reads 120. The scale registers about 66% of the body weight(for me).


Jay Johnson

Thats a pretty good idea....doesnt it change as you go down tho???

[The Raven]

first off it depends on the person height...form, and the percent will not be a constant. There is a change in mechanical advantage as the angle between you and the ground increases. the only component you're actually lifting is the vertical component of your body weight...which is nearly 100% at parallel, but when you're at about 30 degrees with the ground its gonna be less (not including error it will be around [Wsin30]\h). Its all physics baby.

But if i had to guess i would say 80 initially finishing at about 65-70.


Given the fairly limited range of motion, the difference betwen parallel and full extesion is gonna be negligible. I do agree though, that height comes in to play, as well as the musculature of the particular individual. Someone with all of their weight in their calves, quads, and glutes (closer to the fulcrum) will have a lower percentage than someone carrying all their weight in their arms and chest. In the same vein, a taller person of a certain proportion will have a higher percentage than someone 6 inches shorter.

[ruffdaddy]

Yes raven...30 degrees was an exaggeration. But it will be variable none the less (and that depends solely on the person). Inversely similar to benching with heavy chains on the bar. As you go up in distance...the weight increases. I Dont know if anyone remembers this workout being big a few years ago. It was suppossed to help break bench plateau's. Your form has a huge role in this as well. But putting this much thought into pushups is entirely useless...haha.

[The Raven]

But putting this much thought into pushups is entirely useless...haha.

Best answer yet. ;)

[White_lightning]

have like 5 hot chicks sit on your back naked,.... and then do pushups.. FTW!!

[greenrebel]

have like 5 hot chicks sit on your back naked,.... and then do pushups.. FTW!!


I agree with WL, but I think I'd get a little distracted :o

[The Raven]

I agree with WL, but I think I'd get a little distracted :o

If you've got naked hot chicks on your back, and you'd rather do push-ups, you're probably gay.

[03 R Code]

If you had five hot naked chicks on your back couldn't you do some cock push ups?
that's what Jack Black would do.

[poopnut2]

have like 5 hot chicks sit on your back naked,.... and then do pushups.. FTW!!

If the guy wants to know how much body weight a pushup is, I don't see it happening.

[scottG_04]

screw pushups man, hit the weights...then you'll have naked chicks all over ur back

[ruffdaddy]

I have that problem too!