Push UP Trouble

In 2 weeks I have a physical fitness test. I have been lifting weights 4 days a week for the past 3 weeks and I can barely do 10 push ups. My last PT Test I did over 60 Push ups. I need advice on how to get my strength back, without having to quit weight training. When I do even one pushup, I feel resistance immedietly, before weights, I would hit 20 before I felt any resistance at all. Please give me some input.
Get some!

[soyelmocano]

For the next week and 1/2, you might try doing doing different variations of pushups. Try moving your hands closer and farther apart (careful about how far apart as to not stress the shoulders too much), try staggering the hands (one hand about six inches more forward than the other (alternate) to help with ab,back and isolation of arms (left vs. right)), and try different angles (elbows almost straight out, elbows straight down the side, and everything in between). Try the vertical angle also. Use steps/stairs, chairs, walls to increase the angle and thus the actual load. Try adding some weight. Have someone help you with resistance. Once you build up to it (will almost definitely be after the test), try doing pushups on your fingertips. It increases the load to the hands/forearms.
Try doing some dips to help the triceps/shoulders also.
Eat well. Rest well (especially the two days prior to the test; i.e. no time for gains now).
Relax, breathe well, and do well.

1) Dumbell Bench Press
2) Lateral Pull Downs
3) Push yourself to do as many pushups as you can. When you can't do anymore pushups, then do the pushups with your legs up on a chair to decrease the weight enabling you to keep exercising your muscles and increase muscle endurance.
4) Pray Hard :)

-BTE

[vivace]

I do not want huge pecks, but do want definition. Are push ups the answer?

[romeo1]

vivace,i would say that pushups are good for definition.or you could try to bench press with light weight or maybe do some bench flys with light weights.If you are overweight that push ups and weights wont do a whole lot for defining your chest muscles but lifting weights along with a good diet and cardio plan will help you lose weight.Also you could do a search engine for chest workouts for women(not saying you are a women)cause most of their workouts are for toneing up and not getting musclular and cut.hope this helps.

[vivace]

Thanks Romeo. Lost most of my fat in the past 9 months. Chest looks pretty good. Still cannot get rid of that little tummy flab--not a lot but enough to cover-up my lowerabs. I am also looking for a cheaper whey shake. Tried one, but did not mix as well as twin labs--globs of mushy marshmellowy powder clumps.

I've been reading this board for a while and this is the post that inspired me to register. Enjoy these truths:

(1) The difference between being "bulky" and being "toned" is fat, that's all. People say that they have bulky calves but it's mostly muscle, crap, look at any pro bodybuilder and they have relatively small calves(not by choice), if THEY can't get huge calves, how could anyone else?

(2) Unless you're extremely serious about lifting weights or have excellent genetics, you've probably got NO chance of getting cut/ripped/huge by lifting weights, let alone having it happen accidentally(every gym-goer wishes it were that easy).

(3) If you want definition, do a wide VARIETY(3-4 times a week, 30-60 mins each time) of aerobic work(swimming, running, walking, cycling....), and drink plenty of water while you do it. Aerobic exercise burns muscle as well as fat, but water helps to stop muscle being lost.

(4) Don't forget to lift weights as well, losing fat is good(within reason), but there's nothing better than losing weight while gaining muscle - "Damn! I was hiding those great arms under that fat? Shame on me!" 3-4 gym sessions a week is good, and try to leave about 5 days between training the same body part(otherwise it has no time to grow).

There's so much more to say, but I'll leave it at that.

[Somnumbalist]

I watched "The Running Man" yesterday and Arnold's calves are absolutely huge. I'm assuming you mean that if an area is big and not toned, there's a good deal of fat there. I have fairly big calves, but it really is all muscle. Very toned and what not.

Somnumbalist