Who Should Do?
Runners And Powerlifters
Athletes like runners and powerlifters require balanced strength, coordination, and endurance to generate power during speed runs and compound lifts. These components are essential for maintaining optimal performance during athletic activities. Examples include powering through a superset or keeping an upright posture when running.
The weighted push-up is very beneficial for engaging the upper body muscles and building full-body strength. It improves coordination and balance by enhancing the mind-muscle connection through controlled movements.
These factors make this exercise a valuable option for athletes involved in sports like powerlifting, running, and swimming. Program it into a functional full-body routine for maximum results.
General Fitness Enthusiasts
General fitness enthusiasts have multiple goals, one of which is often improving functional strength and enhancing their figure. The upper body muscles of the chest and triceps are used daily during activities like lifting, throwing, and carrying objects. They are also a central component for a defined and sculpted upper body.
The weighted push-up is very effective at strengthening these upper body muscles and stabilizing the joints for improving mobility. The weighted vest also increases tension on the chest and arms for a more toned upper body.
Your average gymgoer could program this exercise into a functional upper-body workout or chest and arm-focused lift. It will help both to build strength and improve overall functional performance.
Who Should Not Do?
Individuals With Shoulder Injuries
Individuals recovering from a shoulder injury or impingement often have a reduced range of motion. They may also have pain during shoulder extension movements.
The weighted push-up movement pattern requires shoulder extension and the resistance against the vest further stresses the shoulder joint. The shoulders provide assistance during the lowering and lifting phases to maintain control.
Individuals with shoulder injuries should avoid this exercise due to stress and limited range of motion in the affected areas. A gradual return to training is necessary after working with a fitness professional.
Individuals With Wrist Or Elbow Issues
Alongside being a vital sign of health, grip strength is crucial for everyday activity and exercises like weighted push-ups. Those with elbow and wrist injuries often have difficulty when loading these areas due to reduced range of motion.
The wrists function during this exercise to maintain stability in the forearms. They support the bending and rotating of the wrist joint against the resistance created by the vest. Furthermore, the elbow joint flexes as you lower down and push back up.
As a result, performing this exercise can exacerbate existing wrist or elbow injuries by causing added stress.
Benefits Of The Weighted Push-Up
Builds Strength
Building strength requires applying resistance to a target muscle using a stimulus. This involves a combination of muscle balance, coordination, and focused movement to achieve the desired results.
As the weighted push-up significantly engages the chest and upper arms, it is effective for building strength in the upper body. These muscles are also used often in functional activities and other upper-body pulling lifts such as pull-ups and dumbbell rows.
The weighted push-up applies a greater stimulus than the traditional push-up due to the weight added from the vest. This then increases tension on the chest, triceps, and core further contributing to overall strength. This exercise also improves functional performance during daily tasks like carrying groceries or pulling doors open.
Tones Muscles
The chest, triceps, and shoulders are key muscles that contribute to an aesthetically pleasing upper-body physique. Developing these muscles will help sculpt and define the upper body, leading to overall improved muscle symmetry and balance.
The weighted push-up utilizes a compound approach to engage multiple muscles throughout the movement. It specifically targets the chest as the prime mover with secondary activation from the triceps, core, and even glutes. The weighted vest increases the challenge to the muscles which may provide a more effective stimulus for greater results.
These factors make this exercise very effective at toning and developing your muscles for balanced full-body development.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Physical activity is very important for maintaining and improving cardiovascular health. It requires the heart to pump blood more efficiently throughout the body which helps improve overall cardiovascular function.
Exercises like the weighted push-up challenge the heart muscle to pump blood to the working muscles. This strengthens the heart, improving its overall functionality and efficiency to transmit nutrients throughout the body. It also enhances the ability to detoxify the blood by removing waste and toxins via the bloodstream.
This makes the weighted push-up a valuable exercise for your routine to benefit the cardiovascular system and improve heart health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Weighted push-ups are effective at building strength and toning muscle in the upper body, similar to traditional push-ups. The weighted vest creates additional resistance for a greater challenge.
Push-ups involve lifting against your body weight which can feel more difficult for heavier individuals with more weight. Weighted push-ups add more resistance to the vest which can feel even harder for heavier exercisers.
The amount of weight to add for weighted push-ups depends on your goals and fitness level. However, a baseline recommendation is to start by adding 5%–10% of your body weight and increasing as you build strength.
The number of weighted push-ups to do each day depends on your fitness level and training focus. For strength-based routines, start with 3–4 sets of 6–8 reps and increase as you gain strength and improve your technique.
Resources
Endomondo.com refrains from utilizing tertiary references. We uphold stringent sourcing criteria and depend on peer-reviewed studies and academic research conducted by medical associations and institutions. For more detailed insights, you can explore further by reading our editorial process.
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