The Master of Pushups – Mr Paddy Doyle
Paddy Doyle is one of the most prolific record holders in the world when it comes to fitness, strength and endurance feats. Since 1987, eighty-one of his world records still stand. He has been called the fittest man in the world, but he doesn’t accept it as an exact title, saying “it’s too hard to judge, the athlete would need to be brilliant in all sports.” His military endurance style of physical training has proven too much for some who have tried training with him at his boxing and martial arts gym in the UK.
Paddy holds quite a few push up world records. World records for this common physical exercise can be held in many categories. In both the men’s and women’s competitions, to name a few, there are:
Without scales
– 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes
– 1 hour, 5 hours, 24 hours
– Days, weeks, years.
– An armed
– At the fingertips
– With a weight of 50 pounds
– inclined
The rules covering a proper and qualified push up are briefly described here:
– Hands should be shoulder width apart.
– The body must be kept straight.
– Elbows should form a 90 degree angle at the bottom of the movement.
– Arms should be straight at the top of the movement, thus completing a push-up
If you can’t do a full push up and you’re starting completely from scratch, the best way to start is to lower the resistance by doing it from your knees. Training properly to break some of Paddy’s records… Good luck! And remember that you are never too old. The famous Jack Lalanne, who once held the world record by doing 1000 in just 23 minutes, is now 93 and still doing it! Here are some tips:
– Remember that this is a standard and basic exercise. keep a good shape
– Do as many as you can, continuously.
– After failure, rest for two to three minutes, then do another round
– Even for your first day, do at least three sets per session
– There is a great benefit in doing as many sessions of at least three sets during the day
– Then there’s this “push-up day”! You will be sore the next day. Wait until this wears off before your next day of pushups.
Since maintaining muscle balance is so important, be sure to do some “opposite” exercises on your days off. Try pull-ups. The standard ones will work, but if you can lower the bar or raise your feet so that you’re doing a “prone” push up, even better.
Stretching is also very important. A good way to stretch your pectoral muscles, along with your shoulders and other muscles and ligaments that will come into play during your pushup journey, is to use a gate. Stand in the doorway with your hands up at shoulder height against your leg, then lean forward and hold for 10 seconds.
