200 Pushup Prop Bet

[TonyDanza]

I need advice on whether to take this prop bet, the stakes and what the odds should be. The bet is that I can't do 20 sets of 10 pushups with 1 minute break in between sets. I would have to do this today at work. The original bet was 5:1 on $1000 (i.e. I put up 1000 to win 5000). This offer was rescinded by the other party and they are currently contemplating what the next offer should be.

Background: I USED to work out a lot. A regular part of my routine would be 20 sets of 10 or 10 sets of 20 pushups with between 20-45 seconds of rest in between. There was never anyone watching my form, so it slacked at times. I have not worked out regularly in approximately 2 years. I am 30 years old now, 6'3", 200 lbs. Recently, I worked out for about 2-3 weeks at the beginning of March, stopped for about 3.5 weeks and have worked out twice this week. In other words, I'm not in good shape and am a little sore from my Tuesday and Wednesday workouts. My questions to you are:

Any additional advice would be appreciated... Thanks!

[Colt McCoy]

I don't get how anyone here would have a better idea of whether you can do this than you have personally?

But I thought this was going to be a bet on 200 straight pushups. 20 sets of 10 with a minute between? Meh. Take his money.

[zer0]

well, if you could do it before, you know what it takes. i dont see how anyone here could give you an answer that you couldnt give yourself

[Thremp]

Depends how far down you go. 90 degrees arm slightly outside shoulder width... I think you're not amazingly +EV or -EV

[TonyDanza]

I agree that I should have the best idea of whether or not I can do this. I used to be able to do it, but my work out discipline has fallen off. My new question is this:

Is this really that hard for someone that is in average physical condition? I personally don't think the first 10-15 sets will test me that much, it's the last five.

[Colt McCoy]

Last November I did 231 in 12 sets. Between sets was probably about two minutes, maybe less. At the time I was working out sporadically so I'd say it's very doable.

[TonyDanza]

I ended up pussing out. He changed the terms such that I would have to do 10 sets of 20 (I negotiated 2 minutes rest) and the odds were only 300:250. After doing only one set of 20, I realized I'd be toast after the 5th or 6th set and I know he'd be a nit about form. Thanks for the advice.

[MuresanForMVP]

[ QUOTE ]
I ended up pussing out. He changed the terms such that I would have to do 10 sets of 20 (I negotiated 2 minutes rest) and the odds were only 300:250. After doing only one set of 20, I realized I'd be toast after the 5th or 6th set and I know he'd be a nit about form. Thanks for the advice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Even with the old terms, this would still be very hard for someone to do.

[BreakfastBurrito]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this really that hard for someone that is in average physical condition? I personally don't think the first 10-15 sets will test me that much, it's the last five.

[/ QUOTE ]

About 5 years ago a meathead I knew from high school told me this was a great pec workout and that you think it'd be easy but you'd feel the burn like crazy by the end. I've been doing the workout off and on since then. When in shape it's doable but definitely challenging. When out of shape I burn out as early as set 10. How strict you are with form matters a ton. A person in average physical condition would likely struggle mightily to do this, especially with strict form requirements.

[Colt McCoy]

[ QUOTE ]
especially with strict form requirements.

[/ QUOTE ]

When I did it I did change my hand and elbow position from set to set to change the emphasis. I'm not talking about using bad form, just different kinds of pushups.