Although my memory of my first push-up is foggy, my first 1000 push-ups are a bit clearer.
A few years ago, @therealbeneficial (plant-based athlete and certified personal trainer) challenged his online community to do 1000 daily pushups. He led by example and pushed through his 1000 pushups throughout his day for a 30-day challenge. His audacity and commitment inspired me and my competitive spirit to join the challenge.
I joined and engaged some of my peers who, at first introduction to the challenge, thought it was impossible to reach the 1k in a day. One of my first workout partners took on the challenge regardless of his initial skepticism of reaching 1000 pushups daily. At first, the fantastic feat occupied our whole day, and several sets of pushups scattered over hours. In the beginning, we didn’t reach 1000 pushups. We eventually started doing them together via video conference calls and triumphantly reached the 1000 pushups over time. Our participants grew to about five or six, and we improved our completion time by 1000 pushups in 30 minutes. If I hadn’t witnessed myself and others knocking out 1000 pushups in 30 minutes and sometimes under 30 minutes, it would’ve been a challenge to believe it happened.
It was intense and a real physical and psychological boost to be in the 1k club.
An article by Arnold Schwarzenegger states that if you do 1000 push-ups a day for 30 days, you will grow an inch mass on your chest, compelled @therealbeneficial to start the challenge.
“I started noticing that I was also building my triceps, shoulders, and core muscles while completing this challenge. And it was at that point I realized push-ups/ calisthenics was one of the best bodyweight exercises you can have in your arsenal.” -Asim Muhammad, aka @therealbeneficial
Some consider pushups the most famous and widely utilized bodyweight exercise in the world today. The origins of pushups are often linked to ancient civilizations, with evidence suggesting that bodyweight exercises similar to pushups were practiced in various cultures. In Africa, traditional warrior training, such as that of the Maasai, incorporated pushup-like movements to build strength and endurance.
Similarly, ancient Indian wrestlers performed “dand” exercises, akin to Hindu pushups, while Greek soldiers used similar techniques for conditioning. These diverse practices highlight how pushups, as we know them today, likely evolved independently across different regions, becoming a fundamental exercise in military and fitness routines worldwide. Scientific research supports the effectiveness of pushups, with studies showing increased muscle activity and improved cardiovascular function. Additionally, pushups can be modified to suit different fitness levels, and incorporating them into your daily routine can improve mental health and reduce stress.
Regarding age and safety, children can start doing modified pushups (knee pushups) as early as 6-8 years old, under adult supervision. Adults can continue doing pushups well into their 60s and 70s and beyond but may need to modify the exercise to accommodate age-related joint issues.
Pushups are a timeless exercise that offers numerous benefits for strength, health, and overall well-being. It can improve focus by boosting blood flow to the brain and releasing endorphins. Regular practice increases concentration and mental well-being. Engage your legs to transform push-ups into a full-body workout, targeting the chest, shoulders, triceps, core and legs by squeezing glutes and pushing through heels.
Pushups are like having a portable gym that you can set up anywhere and, as a result, increase your quality of health exponentially. Just doing whatever amount you can muster in a two-minute time period can be a great start, with noticeable results in a short period of days. Before you know it, you will be doubling and tripling your pushup count. All it takes is to start. How many will you start with today?
Be certain to consult your physician before starting any new exercises or diets. Every person’s health situation is different and requires expert, tailored advice.
