Push Up WO Protocols
Push Up WO Protocols
Start in a front-leaning rest position with arms extended and body straight
Lower yourself until the back of the arm is parallel to the ground
Return to the starting position
Perform as many sets as needed to reach the repetition total (ie., for 100 reps = 5 sets x 20 reps; 2
sets of 20 reps and 4 sets of 15 reps; 10 sets of 10 reps)
Perform working-sets (same number of repetitions) with a 60-90 second rest between sets.
Working sets are indicated below. For example, if the maximum number of push-ups you can
perform is 35 – your working-set is 15 repetitions.
40+ 25
30-39 15
20-29 10
10-19 5
Less than 10 3
Progression Sets: Perform as many sets as you can, maintaining your working-set repetition. Do as
many sets as you can for the number of repetitions determined as your working-set. For example,
say you can do two sets of 15 repetitions, and on your third set you only complete 11 repetitions.
Continue to do only three sets, until you get to a point when you get ALL three sets of 15
repetitions. Once you are able to get all three sets progress to four sets.
Periodically, you will need to test yourself to determine if your maximum repetitions have
increased. If so, you will need to determine a new working set.
- Regular push-ups, 10
- Regular crunches, 10
- Wide push-ups, 10
- Reverse crunches, 10
- Triceps push-ups, 10
- Left/right crunches, 10 each side
The timed workout is another way to increase your push-ups and sit-ups that also helps prepare you
for training with the clock -- good practice for the PFT. Being timed is what leads to most people's
PFT anxiety.
Timed Workout
Repeat twice:
- 1 minute of push-ups
- 1 minute of sit-ups
- 30 seconds of push-ups
- 30 seconds of sit-ups
- 15 seconds of push-ups
- 15 seconds of sit-ups
Try these workouts only resting while you do your crunches or sit-ups. These workouts are
challenging and only take a few minutes to do. I recommend that you try to incorporate push-ups
and crunches into your workout three times a week and every other day, if you are not following a
detailed program.
3) “Find your current push-up max. Perform a push-up and pause at the top
for three seconds. Then do another rep. Repeat until you’ve done half your max number. Rest
for three minutes, and repeat the process until you’ve completed twice your max number of
reps in total.” - See more at: http://www.mensfitness.com/training/build-muscle/bang-out-100-
push-ups#sthash.KTlTFuNI.dpuf
Perform 10 Push-Ups
Rest 10 seconds
Perform nine Push-Ups
Rest nine seconds
Repeat this pattern all the way to the bottom of the pyramid (one Push-Up)
You will perform a total of 55 Push-Ups. The lactic acid will be burning throughout your upper
body, much more so than what many athletes experience after an hour in the gym.
Continue performing this routine until you can start the pyramid at 20 Push-Ups and work your way
down to one. The result will be a powerful upper body that translates onto the court, field or track
for any sport.
Pyramiding means you do 1 pushup, stand up, rest for 20-30 seconds then drop back down and
do 2 pushups, etc. Keep the rest times consistent and work your way to 12 reps. Take a 1-
minute break, then work your way back down from the top.
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