Am I strong enough to start with SS?

[Mike C]

Are more realistic situation for the readers of this board: if you could choose between 100 pushups and a 300 bench, which would you choose?

Obviously the 300 bench. I wouldn't say that they're mutually exclusive though.

[Mike Mantzouris]

Are more realistic situation for the readers of this board: if you could choose between 100 pushups and a 300 bench, which would you choose?

300 bench. That takes planning, programming, diet, commitment, muscular development, focus, and many more good things. 100 pushups is hardly an accomplishment. Most people on this board could accomplish it in a couple weeks if they wanted their other lifts to backslide. IMO.

[Justin Jordan]

300 bench. That takes planning, programming, diet, commitment, muscular development, focus, and many more good things. 100 pushups is hardly an accomplishment. Most people on this board could accomplish it in a couple weeks if they wanted their other lifts to backslide. IMO.

Unlike. I've known a couple of wrestlers and military types who trained specifically to get to 100 pushups. It seems to be pretty difficult to get to. 50 push ups is actually pretty easy to get to (and indeed, I've made it up to 64 while a fatass) but getting to 100 seems take specific and dedicated work, and not inconsiderably amount of time. The 275 bench thing is probably a pretty accurate comparison - it's within the range of most males, eventually, but it's not something most people get to quickly or easily.

[vettercr]

When I was at Airborne school 28 years ago I could do 100 pushups in a row. But at 6'2" 150lbs I don't think anyone would consider me 'strong'. I doubt I could have benched 135 for a set of 5.

Same here. When I was in the Marines 20 years ago I could do 100 pushups, 20 kipping pull-ups, and run 3 miles in 18 minutes. It would shock me if my bench was 135 back then. Not that I'd know, I had no concept of barbell training at the time.

[slowjoe]

Unlike. I've known a couple of wrestlers and military types who trained specifically to get to 100 pushups. It seems to be pretty difficult to get to. 50 push ups is actually pretty easy to get to (and indeed, I've made it up to 64 while a fatass) but getting to 100 seems take specific and dedicated work, and not inconsiderably amount of time. The 275 bench thing is probably a pretty accurate comparison - it's within the range of most males, eventually, but it's not something most people get to quickly or easily.

It's worth remembering that the 100 pushups isn't a constant yardstick. The kids kicking off fresh logs in the Starting Strength Training logs forum at 135lbs soaking wet aren't doing the same amount of work or displaying the same level of strength as a fully grown male performing the "same feat". It's entirely likely that burning 10lbs of body weight off someone could push them from 70 pushups to 100 pushups. So 100 pushups at 200lb bw might be similar to a 275lb bench, but that tells us nothing about 100pushups at 210 or 220 or 250 or whatever. The comparison is almost as dumb as the PT in the original post.

Anyway, I'd take a 300lb bench, any day of the week.

[Francesc9]

Back when I weighed 130 pounds I could do 60 pushups, but I would struggle to squat and bench 20 kg. I was so weak, I had to get a lighter bar to overhead press. Pushup to bench ratio doesn't mean much for me as pushups are more about muscular endurance anyway.

Do the fucking program and don't listen to PT, they are full of shit. You'll be much happier with yourself when you can lift big (for you) weights.

[Mike Mantzouris]

It's worth remembering that the 100 pushups isn't a constant yardstick...Anyway, I'd take a 300lb bench, any day of the week.

Agree. And to make it better, once you hit a 300 bench, you can go for 350 and become bigger and stronger than you were at 300.

What does 150 pushups buy you that you don't already have at 100 pushups?

[Will D]

Agree. And to make it better, once you hit a 300 bench, you can go for 350 and become bigger and stronger than you were at 300.

What does 150 pushups buy you that you don't already have at 100 pushups?

Good reasoning...

[SMC]

Good reasoning...

He likely means that the difference in Strength between 100 push ups and 150 push ups is essentially nothing.

Increasing how many push ups you've done isn't necessarily an indication of how much stronger you've gotten, whereas going from 300-350lbs is a clear indication