AboutTim Vagen Expertise I can answer any questions on strength training, general exercise, sport specific training. I can also answer questions on training with injuries.
Experience I have 25 years of professional training experience and have combined a physical therapy background with training and exercise. I have worked in the NFL and LPGA along with recreational and elite level athletes from around the world. I have over 40,000 training hours and have trained thousands of individuals over the years.hours
Organizations NSCA, American Swim Coaches Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and the International Youth Conditioning Association.
Publications Local Magazines, television, sports radio, web sites
Education/Credentials I have a BS in Exercise science and graduate courses in anatomy, physiology and human movement. I'm certified as a Strength and Conditioning Speciialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Awards and Honors I have competed sucessfully on the international level in the sport of rowing and have coached internationally as well.
Past/Present Clients NFL, MLB, LPGA, US National Figure Skating Champion, US National Swim Champions.
Expert: Tim Vagen Date: 8/20/2008 Subject: pushups....
Question Hey, I'm Erica. I need to be able to do pushups. Lots. I have till January and I'm willing to work my ass off. I'm leaving for USMC boot camp in January. I can do about 10 'girl' pushups and that's it. I just don't know how to build up my arms.. can you please give me some advice on how to build up the muscles that I need to, in order to do pushups? When, how many and how often? Toda Raba.
Answer Hi Erica...In advance, I'll thank you for your service to our country.
Push ups are actually more of a core exercise than an arm exercise. Most who cannot do push ups fail in the core and not the arms. Keep building your arm strength but also work on planks.
the plank is holding your body straight and resting on your toes ad elbows. You can also keep yourself in the top of the push up position and learn to hold that for up to a minute. You can add some additional work to the core by adding a rotation and lift on hand out and up to the ceiling.
A good push up progression is to do isometric holds at a variety of positions of the push up. Start at the top, hold 5 sec, down half way, hold 5 sec, bottom, hold, then try to push up keeping the stomach tight as if someone were going to kick you in the stomach. Build up with those.
Also, do as many of those as you can, and not "girl" push ups. That won't help you to do them.
