Why can I carry shingles, but I can't...

[Chasin2Kids]

Ok, I roof houses with my Dad when his biz gets backed up. I carry 80 pound bundles of shingles across the top of a roof. So why, when I decide to start pushups this morning, was a shaking and sputtering? Seriously, I could barely squeak out ten pushups. How can it be? How can I have what my Dad so nicely refers to as "roofer arms" and not be able to push myself up?? I feel like a big ol' dope.

[Lisa M]

Re: Why can I carry shingles, but I can't...

One word: muscles You have different muscles in the arms that can do different things. At the momeny my terminology for the names are just....missing. But for the most part of understanding, you use different muscles to do different things. Carrying weight is different than pushing weight. Keep practicing, stretching, and being careful when you carry the weigh and I bet you'll be building up the strength to do 100 push ups

[Chasin2Kids]

Re: Why can I carry shingles, but I can't...

Let's hope so! Man, that really let the air out my sails this morning. Here I was all cocky thinking I'd be able to do so many because of the weight that I can carry. Ah, we learn something new every day, don't we? Thanks for the response.

[Lisa M]

Re: Why can I carry shingles, but I can't...

You're welcome. The great thing about your "free" work exercise, you're a roofer, and that in itself is a great thing to building muscle, burning calories, etc. Maybe doing reverse curls with a stack of shingles will help the front muscles more...lol.

[Shilorunamok]

Re: Why can I carry shingles, but I can't...

You use your chest and triceps more for pushups. You use your back and biceps more to lift things. Basically your working out the totally opposite set of muscles!! Great job for doing pushups though!! That's awsome.