Props for the Lowly Push-up

They are the unofficial symbol of junior high gym classes, presidential fitness tests, military basic training, and the rigors of going out for just about any athletic team at any time in your life. They are a symbol of vigor, of submission to authority, of determination. they are push-ups, and love 'em or hate 'em, you've got to admit that they have played and continue to play an important role in athletic culture...

...NO TALKING IN THE BACK THERE! DROP AND GIVE ME 20!!

Today's New York Times has a nice article re-evaluating the lowly push-up: An Enduring Measure of Fitness (March 11).

I have fond memories of the 2001 Newton North XC team that seemed to have a particular love of push-ups (and sit-ups). At the start of the season, every practice began with a stretching routine that was followed by "20-20" (20 push-ups, 20 sit-ups). By the middle of the season, it was "50-50", and I seem to remember the captains exhorting the team to do "75-75" at one point.

For what it's worth, I find push-ups and other body-weight exercises to be an important part of my training, keeping the body strong enough to maintain decent posture during fast running. I had a revelation a few years back when I realized that push-ups were as much about abdominal strength as arm/chest strength. Now I try to start every day with a series of exercises -- including push-ups -- before I ever take my first running step of the day.

Anyway, the article makes some good points about how using push-ups to maintain strength as one ages (push-ups, it turns out, are useful for maintaining the strength to fall properly). While we don't expect to see all the folks at the senior center doing push-ups, maybe it's not such a crazy idea.