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1,000 Push-Ups: Math, Mind and Muscles (P.D.)

For Impact Ideas | | Tom Suddes

We did 1,000 push-ups at practice last Friday… in 44 minutes. Sounds impossible, right?

Here’s how we did it.

MATH: ’44 down’. Can’t just start doing push-ups and ‘hope‘ you get to 1,000. If you do 44 then 43, 42, 41, etc. down to 1 push-up… you have completed 990 push-ups!!!

*Then, the last 10 we do together… and the gym ROCKS!

Mind: ‘Games’. Can’t let them think about the ‘big number’ (1,000). “82 push-ups in honor of 82nd Bengal Bouts… plus 5.” (44 + 43 done.) “42 push-ups, answer to everything in HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO GALAXY.” “40 push-ups. How long I’ve been coaching.” etc.

Then, we mix in push-ups and shadow boxing between sets.

Muscles: Max Out. This certainly pushes muscles to an extreme; but, as they get more tired, the number of reps keeps going down. Always on overload, but still doable.

Coach Suddes with some of his 300 Notre Dame boxers after the 1,000 push-ups. Adrenaline, energy and excitement all high at end of practice!!! Collectively WE JUST DID 1,000 PUSH-UPS!

Note: Always tell them at end, “Based on previous experience, only way to wash your hair tonight will be to squirt shampoo on shower wall and rub your head on it… cuz you won’t be able to lift your arms above your shoulders!”