Pushups and light workout

[ncaltruist]

Lately I have been doing light workouts with small weights and(standard shoulder length) pushups. I don't have room for a bench or time or money to go to a gym. My question is: What is the best way to do pushups and reps with light dumbells. I have started like this: Pushups 5, 10, max (30 right now), half max, half half max. 10lb dumbells 10,20, max 60, half max, half half max. Ab Crunches 100, 100, 100, (or as many times as possible) I try to work this into about 30 minutes worth of time every other day or about 3 times a week.

I'm sure many of you could do this in your sleep. I don't need to hear about how strong you are. If you think I'm a weakling, thats fine, just make a separate post for it.

If you have any ideas on better ways to set up my reps I'd appreciate it if you'd share them.

[ncaltruist]

I guess no one knows or cares.

[Penance]

It really depends on what you're trying to acheive.

Are you trying to bulk up?
Are you trying to trim down or lose weight?
Are you just trying to get toned and get a nice physique?
Are you after better cardio/endurance?

Is this in connection with a martial art or just for physical fitness?

Without a goal no one is going to be able to tell you how to get there.

[ncaltruist]

I'd say more than anything to have a nicer looking body and be stronger. Pushups would be for stronger punching power. The curls I think that would be more for appearance. I want to eventually train in some type of competitive MA/MA sport but I think it's better to get in shape first. If you know some good ideas, I'll try them out.

[ncaltruist]

I'd like to find some type of MA sport to train in without a lot of ancient mystical theory. I'm not attacking it, it's just not for me. Right now I rent DVDs from blockbuster and throw strikes in front of the mirror. Thats pretty damn lame. I'd like to actually DO something related to kickboxing or grappling. All the places around my town teach middle school kids how to tie belts and learn katas. That stuff is cool, but I've already done that. I want something with a focus on sparring and competing. It seems like kickboxing and grappling styles would be good but everything in my area is an hour away. I don't want to dedicate my life to it but I would dedicate a lot of time and effort. It would be a hobby as opposed to a career. Everyone can't be a career fighter.

[Penance]

Brazillian Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai are for you then. They offer full contact sparring without katas or forms. They do have drills though for sharpening your technique. For example, your BJJ instructor might tell you to pass your opponent's guard with one hand behind your back, and once you've passed to go for a choke. This is to teach you to use other things besides just your hands such as your knees, head, shoulders, body weight, and leverage and to combine it with the submissions you know.

If BJJ or MT isn't available then go for straight up boxing. MT will probably have a bit of the tradition that you're refering to as "mysticism" going with it, since it's a traditional martial art with a long history. You'll just have to see if it's something you can handle.

Don't worry about getting in shape first. Just show up and put in your best effort and within 6 months you'll be well on your way to your goal of looking good.

An hour away is pretty far, but real training from a real school is SO much better than DVDs. Training just twice a week is enough, especially if you're doing this just as a hobby. Is 8 hours (4 driving roundtrip with two 2 hour classes) a week something you want to dedicate to a hobby? That's something for you to decide.

As for your workout, I don't know your height, weight, age, health or what your body type is.

[ncaltruist]

Actually I'm not even watching training DVDs. Thats the sad part! hahah

I just watch the newest UFC and I have to end up buying pride DVDs. I just try to learn from that. I think I'll find something. I actually went to find a BJJ school and guess what. The address in the phone book was an apartment building!!! I am going to call during business hours.

Why the hell is Tae Kwon Do so popular? I don't see many Korean restaraunts or Korean organizations. Is there any reason why 90% of MA places teach TKD? (If you practice TKD, don't get pissed off. I'm not attacking it.)

[Penance]

There are not a whole lot of expert BJJ trainers out there unless you're out in CA or Indiana I suspect. Most of what you will find are groups of people just getting together in a basement to train with a blue or maybe a purple belt directing things and supervising.