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Push Up Pro adds a twist to your workout

Posted: Thursday, January 03, 2008 4:07 PM

By Jacqueline Stenson, contributing health editor

Image: Push up pro
Amazon.com

What it is: Push Up Pro ($19.95)

What it claims to do: The user manual says the Push Up Pro is “the ultimate upper body workout!” With this product, which is actually two push-up grips that allow the user’s arms to rotate during the move, “more muscles are targeted more effectively while reducing strain on wrists and joints.” The Push Up Pro is “a must for anyone who is serious about getting in shape.”

Our experience: I’ve always found push-ups to be pretty punishing, so the idea that a fitness gadget might make them somehow better -- perhaps even easier or at least more likeable -- was enticing.

But the Push Up Pro certainly did not make them easier for me. With a normal push-up, you push against a stable floor surface. But the Push Up Pro has a rotating base that creates an unstable surface and requires additional effort just to stabilize your arms and support your upper body.

Some fitness buffs might like this added challenge, but when I gave it a go on my living room floor, I kept worrying about my wobbling wrists. So instead of really focusing on giving my arms, chest and abs a good workout, I was struggling to steel my wrists. At first I thought I must really be a pathetic weakling but then I realized the Push Up Pro, which has small rubber pads at the bottom and is supposed to work “on any floor surface,” was slowly sliding away from me on my rug. This concerned me because I’ve dealt with repetitive stress injury in the past, and my right wrist is a perpetual weak spot.

When I moved to my hardwood floors, though, the Push Up Pro stayed put and I was able to concentrate on how the actual exercise felt. Indeed, it was more difficult because of the instability factor and the twisting motion – and because I had never done it before. My forearms seemed to work harder than they would during a traditional push-up, and my upper arms definitely felt the burn. The next day I was a little sore, in a good way.

But is it “the ultimate upper body workout”? That probably depends on whom you ask and when. Right now, for instance, my ultimate upper body workout is heaving my 18-pound baby over my head, tickling his toes with my teeth and watching him crack up. We do it over and over, every day, until we’re both worn out. It’s incredibly motivating and fun, and my arms are firming up, too. It’ll be a different story when he gains another five pounds or so.

What the expert says: “The push-up is a good exercise just the way it is,” says personal trainer Jay Blahnik, a contributor to MSNBC.com’s Fit List and a spokesperson for the IDEA Health and Fitness Association. “The Push Up Pro adds an element of instability to your upper body that probably makes you work a bit harder, but it doesn't make the exercise better, so to speak.” You can still get good results without it, he says.

Bottom line: The Push Up Pro would take some getting used to for anyone accustomed to doing push-ups the old-fashioned way. Couch potatoes definitely need to start slowly, using the product against the wall at first, as the instructions advise. Ultimately, people who find the novelty of fitness gadgets motivating may enjoy using the Push Up Pro. And fitness fanatics who treat their bodies like a science project may like the new challenge of doing push-ups with this product and want to incorporate it into their fitness regimen for variety.

I may continue to use the Push Up Pro from time to time -- if I can find it among my kids’ toys.

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Comments

THANKS for the review.  I was thinking of getting this, and you just saved me some hard earned dollars.  
These "new push-ups" are definitely harder.  I usually do about 60 pushups in one set, and with the Push Up Pro; can only only do about half that number.  
Maybe if you weren't such a wimp you would benefit from these.  In between playing w/ your baby, it sounds like you have enough trouble doing 5 regular push ups.  You knocking the Push-Up Pro is akin to someone w/ a fear of heights going to the top of the Empire State Building and complaining about being dizzy.
I think these are the cheap knock offs of the 'original' version which I purchased.  I think the results depend on the person: if you don't experience any joint pain then these won't help. For me, I was able to crank out 50% more (going from a normal set of 20 to 30) so they do help me but only b/c I used to have to stop at 20 b/c my wrist were killing me. So I'd say the bottom line is like anything else: try before you buy. They sell the originals at Dicks Sporting Goods so you can test them there.
do you think you could have talked about your kids a little more, and less about the product?
This is a totally worthless review of this product.  According to the author, people are coach potatoes or fitness freaks...and then provides no REAL data on the effectiveness of this product.  It is soft, lazy journalism.  By the way having some instability in exercises, that require you to use other (for example, core muscles) to provide stabilization is desirable..it adds to the effectiveness of the exercise.  Do you homework next time or just write puff pieces in some fashion mag.
I am a firm believer that there is no "ultimate upper body workout".  You can't fully work out your biceps, shoulders, back, biceps, traps, etc., all at the same time.  That being said, the exercise that works the MOST muscles hardest is definitely the bench press or push-up.  If I could only do one upper body exercise, it would be the push-up.  What I love about the push-up pro is that it takes my favorite exercise, and expands the burn of muscles that normally are peripheral to the push-up.  By twisting the wrist, I send more work to my shoulders or alternately, my triceps.  My forearms and wrists have strenghtened as well.  The need for greater stability also requires the back (this is not a cop-out: the need for stability is the primary reason that machines are inferior to free weights).  I can get a far more well rounded work-out out of a single exercise with this product.

In addition: used properly, the push-up pro allows a twist of the arm that mimmicks a punch in the martial arts, with a properly timed impulse and a turn of the wrist.  I liked that.  The wrist is critical to a good punch.

One last point.  I purchased the Perfect Push-up first.  I love them, and use them quite a bit.  I live primarily in North Carolina, but my company is in Chicago, so I wanted a pair for my Chicago apartment.  I saw the Push-up Pro at the store and figured I would try them out, as they were about half the price.  I actually prefer the less expensive Push-up Pro.  It has fewer parts so it feels more solid; it has a lower profile which feels more stable when using a wider grip.  It also has no rubber grip.  I originally thought that would be a disadvantage, but my Perfect Push-up rubber grips have started to slip on the bar and move a bit, making it feel less stable.  The grip on the Push-up Pro has finger contours, so it doesn't feel like my hand will spin.
If you are already working out, and work out with dumbbells, you can get the same results when doing the bench press with dumbbells. All you need to do is twist at the end. This has been part of dumbbell training for years and requires no need to buy a set of push up suction cups.
I got "The Perfect Push-up" for Christmas.  It is basically like the thing you got.  As for the instability and the sliding, you should try having it on a hard surface.  Also, maybe you should have them so that your arms are perpendicular to the floor.  That way, they won’t slide forward even on carpet.
I have to say push ups are the foundation of starting a simple and basic fitness lifestyle. Any exercise if not done frequently or properly can be considered demanding or hard. That is the point. I have tried this product, flashy in color, but for the most part not needed. Many people will not take the time to do a push up never less something that swivels. This product is nothing more than a money maker than will end up being nothing more than a has been, like the hundred of so called Ab sculptors..... and we all know the people looking for any easy way to look in shape will keep putting there money into useless items
You should have used 'Perfect Push-Up'.  I would you try some inferior, As Seen On TV product?  
Here is a related question. What do you think about those little cuved bars for doing pushups? I think they allow a little greater range of motion and I like to grip a bar rather than have palms on the floor--or fingertips if I am feeling ambitious. I tend to do push ups only as part of my ab routine. In the past I have gotten tendenitis in my shoulders from doing too many, but then I am old too.
I had thought about buying one of these.  I do push-ups daily, and one of the biggest problems I have is pain in my wrists when I'm close the the ground (carpel tunnel most likely) and was hoping these might reduce the pain I feel.  anyone have similar experience?
To be FAIR, there are a set of instructions that must be read and followed that come with the devices.  You are NOT TO START with a regular pushup, but to start against a wall and once you meet the 'move on' criteria, then, you go to your knees, etc.  You do not 'start out' on the floor in a 'tradional pushup' with the device.  RTFM...please....
I got some push up thingys for Xmas.  They are not as cool as the pushup pro and cheaper I think.  I ahve not sued them much as I go to the gym and do traditonal pushups there.  However my kids think they are great.  My two tween sons get an added motivation to do pushups with these things and for that they are worth it.
The added movement makes you use stabilizing muscles which in turn inreases overall muscle strength. Like any new exercise your muscles have to get used to the movement before you can really benefit from it.  You can't go from no push-ups to the pro. I like being able to rotate my hands without moving the equipment. It puts focus on different muscles groups. The Push Up Pro is a good idea and if utilized correctly by someone with an advanced level of fitness they can add benefit and challenge to the normal boring push-up.
Just another unneccessary fitness gadget to clutter up the "workout" area. I am sure they will sell enough to justify the next fitness gadget.
I use two small push up bars,very stable and it does not hurt my wrists. The push up pro was very unsable and caused my to lose focus on my workout.
First of all: You sound like a wuss.  I have the pushups and I think they are great.
And secondly: I dont think you can give a review on a workout tool after only one try.  Use it for a month and get back to me.  
The author of this piece must not exercise on a regular basis.  My suggestion is to put down the jelly donut and exercise a little after writing your articles.  

Personally, I own the Push Up Pro and find it adds and additional challenge to my push-ups.  I have no trouble with stabilization regardless of the floor surface.  I would recommend it for those individuals who do exercise somewhat consistently.  For those reporters and others who don't exercise at all, I would recommend starting with girl push ups and work your way up gradually to this device.

I think the author missed the whole point of this product. It appears like many, she is looking to have the workout made easier, not more effective.  The idea behind the Push Up Pro and the Perfect Push Up is to allow a more natural movement on the wrists,thereby allowing less strain.  They will also allow for a great range of movement as the palms are now farther from the floor. Sure it will take getting used to, but every exercise does.  These devices will allow for a more effective and safer push up once the user establishes proper form.  Regular push up bars are also good and will take some strain of the wrists as well as allowing more range.
The instability she noted is a good thing as it will strengthen the wrists and forearms.  I hope she sticks with it because the Push up is a great exercise.
If you are in shape you may like these alot, like I do. I find the rotation lowers the stress on my shoulders and elbows, allowing me to do a more natural motion. I think this reviewer doesn't really do pushups, so the distinction is lost, I am 43 and can do 100 pushups regular style in a set, and these things to me are very very sweet! well worth the $40 or so.
I bought a similiar (more expensive about 2X)device called the 'perfect-pushup'. I have had for over a year and use regularly, i've had none of the stability problems you mention here, but maybe because it's a a little better quality. I've loved using it and think it works more muscles than  regular push-ups (which i used to do regularly) it has also relieved me of the soreness I had in my inner elbows from regular push-ups. I highly recommend the concept, but maybe the device here is inferior to the 'perfect push-up'
The fact that you have to use more muscles to keep yourself stabalized makes this a superior pushup compared to the normal fashion. It also makes sense to me that this would be more benficial to someone with wrist problems as well because you would be able to keep your wrist straight, by turning the base as you rise and fall through the motion instead of the stress transferring through your wrist as it does in a traditional push up.
First, this product is a knock-off. I have the original model (the one marketed as 'developed by a Navy Seal') which cost more but looks and feels better constructed.

Second, this is the most idiotic review I've read in ages. You're surprised that working out caused you to strain and exert yourself? There is no such thing as an 'easy' workout, at least not if you actually expect to lose weight and/or gain muscle.

And to answer your question: yes, we do need more 'fitness junk' because we are a ridiculously unfit nation. This piece of hardware is simple, it works out muscles you normally would have greater difficulty working out at home (and you feel it after your first workout). But like everything else you have to actually want to do exercise, not make a half-hearted attempt at it then tell everybody about your family situation.
The Push - up Pro is obviously a piece of junk . marketed solely to pray on the ignorant . I can envision thousands of 15 year olds trying to make themselves
into men with the use of this garbage ...
 It reminds me of the old ads you'd see in the back of comic books , promising to transform your 97 lb. weakling body into a he - man ... Some things never change ....
wow..you guys ripped the reviewer a new one.. LOL
but true seems she was looking for another miracle easy and fast workout machine and didnt find it here.
stick with it a month or so and then review again, good thing to do if msnbc is actually trusting you with a decent review.
They work, been using them for 2 weeks , already getting results.
Most likely, you guys are pansies and that is the problem.
If you think they don't work , hit the gym.
Push up pro is weak city.  The perfect push-up, per a prior post, was designed by a navy seal. I use it religiously every morning and it works better than any work out I have tried.  The reason this reviewer found it difficult, is because of the twisting motion. The freedom or range is similar to free weights, where it makes muscles work to control your body weight while working your core muscles as well.
I have been using this product for about 3 months ---alwyas with my feet elevated and will never go back to a 'regular' pushup.  I like the fact that it takes the stress off my wrists AND the fact that the instability works additional muscles.  I agree that it may be a little challeging to those who don't already do any type of push up but don't use your lack of strenght (or coordination) as a reason to dismiss the product out of hand for everyone else. I also think the use of the word 'ignorant' in an earlier comment is misplaced.
This review seems more suited to a women's fitness magazine, not "The Fit List".

I find the push up to be a challenging, effective exercise in and of itself and don't see the need to add to it. To me, the beauty of a push up is that it can be done anywhere, by anyone. I'm sure the device listed helps some people, but it seems like a waste of money to me.
If you exercise regularly & push ups are a part of your exercise regimen, then you will like the product. You get a better workout by utilizing more muscle groups, while reducing the strain on your joints. You can get deeper into the push up similar to Atlas push ups because the product raises you off the floor allowing a wider range of motion.
This product will not make you like push ups or exercise for that matter if not presently engaged; it actually makes you work harder as you stabilize your core.
I do approximately 500 push ups 5 days a week & cardio. I'm 38 & in the best shape of my life.

You get out of exerise what you put in. Don't look for products that make exercise easier. Look for ones that make it more effective.
The push up pros is a great workout tool, I normally do two hundred push ups in the morning before work, and with this handy little gadget that number have been cut in half, because of the resistance it creates.And I know  when I get back to doing two hundred I will be a little more ripped...
I've purshased lots of devices to make workouts easier - none worked worth a darn; I guess that's why they call them WORKouts.  For pushups (I do about 300 per set (1500 & 4000-6000 situps per week), in groups of 60 to 100, depending on the incline) and I just use a chair (for my feet) and later 6x6 blocks for my hands.  I'm not a jock, never have been - I'm just recovering from a side impact auto accident that tore up my left side in April 2003.  Fact, workouts are hard - but paralysis and a wheelchair are harder.  Compare the two and learn to love your hard workouts without "devices" - the alternative sucks.
(Thought I'd share this.)
I am glad I read all of this regarding this product, for I too was intrigued and considered buying a pair.  I concurr that free weights add another element that stationary machines cannot duplicate. After trying to do regular pushups during my workouts, I found my wrist hurt if I did them flat palm style and I could never get comfortable.  I finally found that using a 10# set of my hex steel dumbells (with the casting weight facing down making an impression into the rug) worked perfectly.  The only drawback is that you can't "twist" them, but you can reposition them to suit.  It sounds like I should keep my money and just use what is working for me.
For twenty dollars, I own a set, I think it is a good use, it isn't amazing, but it works for me.  Nothing is going to be gold.
Looks like another sold on latenight tv piece o junk.  Does anyone else think half these comments were placed by the Push Up Pro marketing dept.?  A lot of comments bash the reviewer who was probably going easy on the Push Up review to begin with.
I bought a pair of the Perfect Pushups and like the feel of them as well as the rotation. More natural movement of the arm socket. Just like the previous comment on the martial arts and throwing a punch.
Mostly used for swimming to gain more arm and shoulder strength for a better and harder pull in the water.

I will use this 3-4x a week, along with core w/o's, medicine ball w/o along with my swim, biking and running and it will add strength for racing.

Not a bad buy for 29.00
I've been using a competing product, the "Perfect Pushup," for over a year.

I believe that this product provides a great workout and has given me excellent results.  Ms Stenson seems to be confused with the purpose of the Pushup Pro.  The purpose of the Pushup Pro (and Perfect Pushup) is not to make pushups "easier" or more "likeable."  The purpose of these gadgets is to allow the user to perform a more efficient and effective pushup.  These gadgets enhance pushups by taking strain off the wrists and forearms and allowing the arms to twist in a more natural, unconstrained fashion.

Very few people find pushups fun, and these gadgets do not make them fun or easy.  However, pushups are an excellent exercise and should be part of any strength building regimen.  These products make a great exercise more effective.  

If you use this product on a regular basis it is well worth the investment.
All in all these are complete waste of money. the pushup is a perfect excercise as it is. But, for some people with weak wrists it can be a struggle and rather painful. So, if you have weak wrists then maybe these or a set of pushup bars are helpful. I agree with others on the reply thread, Talk less about your baby and focus on what they paid you to do review product objectively. I have two kids and lifting them 100 times a day is not a workout it's a cherised chore.
I agree with the commenter that wrote about the writer of this article being a big wimp!  the push-up pro works like those big plastic balls you see at the gym.  the make you focus on other muscle groups in order for you to do a better push-up.  by having to focus on your equilibrium, you create the foundation for how an actual push-up is supposed to be done.  Hey author guy, GO TO THE GYM!!!
I have the Perfect Pushup (Not the Push Up Pro) and feel it is of a higher quality than you describe. I also do not experience the stability issues. The act of doing a pushup is harder because you are using more muscles to stabiles yourself as you rotate. Kind of like Core Exercise on a stability ball. I also have found it to relieve the soreness in my wrists.
I purchased the originals last April through a magazine ad. I do 40 pushups with them every morning, although I used to regularly do 50-60 "normal pushups" before I purchased them.  The "instability" is the same benefit one receives from using free weights vs. weight machines.
Ultimate Body Workout is a tagline, nothing more. But it is a quality product and it provides a decent workout. Used properly, these work better than regular pushups.

The stabilizing you're forced to do serves to work muscles not typically worked during a pushup. Not to mention removing the stress you put on your wrists and tendons when you do a flat-hand pushup on the floor.

I started using them about two months ago, every two days, 4 sets of 20 reps, alternating the rotation. (Proper pushups - a straight line from the shoulders to the heels, no bowing or bending!) It's a good burn and the results are obvious. My t-shirts don't hang on me and my biceps/triceps don't extend wimpily from the sleeves.

Agreed on others' comments of your review, as well. Sounds like you'd be better served popping in Richard Simmons' Sweatin' to the Oldies.

To the curious - Buy them and use them properly. It's worth it.
They're not supposed to make your work out easier, they're supposed to make it more effective.
This review was embarassing to read.  The idea here is to intensify pushups, while relieving joint stress.  They product makes pushups more difficult because it supports proper form and involves additional muscles.    

Sure, if you're doing 5 bad-form pushups from your knees daily while watching Oprah, stay away from these products.  If you're more interested in spouting off big numbers to impress your friends, rather than in getting an intense workout, avoid these products.  

But if you're serious about working hard and effectively to progress physically, I recommend the Perfect Pushup, a more expensive but higher-quaility product.

I fractured my wrist three months ago, and still cannot comfortably do normal pushups.  I'm able to rehab using the Perfect Pushup.

This product would be better reviewed by an individual who isn't looking for a relaxed and effortless exercise experience.  For God's sake, your "expert" obviously hasn't used the product.  He's guessing about what it "probably does."  "So to speak?"  Embarassing.
I have the perfect push up... to me it did seem easier, and I was more sore the next day.

I would highly recommend them.
This is one of the worst fitness product reviews I have come across. The author is using a cheap knockoff of the original, and not even using it correctly.

I own the original model (Perfect Pushup a.k.a. "Navy Seal"). I bought it for one specific reason - on the Army physical fitness test some of my pushups were being disqualified because my chest was not close enough to the ground. I was hoping the handles would keep me from cheating and improve my form, and they did.

The benefit of using the handles is that you are higher off the ground, and it becomes natural to bring your body down further than you would with flat palms. That is one reason it seems more difficult. The good news is that if you are able to do 50 pushups on these, then 50 regular pushups are a walk in the park.

For someone with some experience working out, the perceived instability is the difference between Nautilus and free weights. Yes, you will feel like you are expending a lot more energy just to keep good form while on free weights, but that's not a bad thing. Once you get smooth with the Perfect Pushup, you won't feel like you're wobbling all over. It does force you to flex your wrists unlike a traditional pushup, but that's one less exercise you have to do separately. I've been using them three times a week for about six months.

Finally, if the handles are slipping, it's probably your own fault. If you do a pushup correctly, you aren't putting out much lateral force from your hands. For wide arm and so on surface grip becomes important, but for regular pushups once you have the pads placed correctly they should not move even if they are on ice.

I have no relation to any of the companies or to the "Navy Seal" guy - just my personal opinion here.
I bought the Perfect Push Up Travel from activeforever.com and I love it. I tried the Push Up Pro and it is of far inferior quality - the bearings in the handle do not allow it to turn very well, making the rotation more difficult. The Perfect Push Up Travel, while more expensive, breaks down to fit in my briefcase when I travel and comes with a carry bag and workout guide. It's more money, but totally worth it.
Thanks for the insight.  I have probably seen 1,000 of these push up pro commercials, and I was getting enticed to get one, but your article provided me with information to make a sound financial decision.

I am sticking with the traditional push-up.  I figure a good analogy to this, is just like my intimacy life.  Sometimes there is no need for paraphernalia to spice things up, it is good to do the old fashion  way "ala natural". :)


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