Pushups and Weightlifting
 

I've been lifting for about 7 months and I am currently starting over from scratch by doing the Novice Barbell Training - the Official Rippetoe Starting Strength program. I plan to progress to the intermediate phases of the program as well. I also have a goal of doing a million pushups which I started in 2000. I would like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not doing a lot of pushups will affect my workout recovery, especially hypertrophy.

While reading the sticky Warming Up Properly, I understood it to say that doing the warm-up sets for lifting didn't contribute directly to muscle hypertrophy, they prepare the muscles for the real muscle building sets. It occurred to me that maybe low rep sets of pushups might fall into the same class as warm-ups. In other words, if I do a lot of low rep sets, say 15 or 20 pushups a set (which are very easy for me), can I do these low rep sets on my non-lifting days and not adversely affect muscle recovery since I am not overloading?

Also I currently superset the squats and deadlifts (with sets of 15 pushups) to work them into my workout days, along with sets during my pre and post workout stretching. Bottom line is I would like to lift for building strength while pursuing my goal of a million pushups. What do you think?

That's a cool goal man.

I don't know if it will hurt anything?

I mean people have jobs and they do work all day long doing labor jobs. It doesn't sound like it really challenges your muscles that much to do a quick 15-20 reps, here and there.

Troy

Thanks thonaker, you make a good point. I think I'll keep doing low rep sets for a while a see how it goes.

You're welcome.

I think it will work out just fine.

Troy