Push-Up Pump

Length:: 4:28 Mins

I workout with weights 3 to 4 times a week in a gym. I do pull-ups, men''s push-ups, bench press, and more for my upper body, and yes, I''m a woman. I also have fibromyalgia and am 45 years old, so I have to often adjust exercises based upon pain levels for a given day. I like the idea of a device that makes staying fit easier on my joints and muscles if possible.

The opportunity to review this product via the Amazon Vine intrigued me. A device that claims a ''total body workout'' and help for those who can''t do a regular push-up, as well as getting your abs ripped, seemed a bit hyped, but I tried to keep an open mind as I gave it a trial run.

This is my experience and impressions of the Push-Up Pump.

First Impression:

At unboxing the item itself appears to be a 7 out of 10 on construction quality. The cover on the chest pad was coming off (the adhesive had given way) upon arrival perhaps due to cold weather affecting the adhesion.

About 10 zip ties had to be undone to free up the arms. Two small wrenches, a 5-Minute Push-Up Pump workout DVD, 1 page of directions and tension bands were in the box along with the push-up pump device.

The metal frame appeared sturdy initially, but when I went to put it together I actually had to bend a section of the frame by hand to get a bolt threaded and secured. It didn''t take much to do it, which it would have if that metal had been more substantial.

Installation was an easy 2 step process after unboxing the device, and the Push-Up Pump was ready to go in 30 minutes.

I gave it a quick test to make sure nothing rattled and found the handles to be well padded, and the chest pad is substantial enough to be comfortable, but not in the way.

First Use:

I tried using the Pus-Up Pump in all three hand positions, and noted no discomfort in any of them, which is often the case in my shoulders with traditional push-ups. The Push-Up pump doesn''t allow you to drop down as far as a traditional push-up (an inch or two above the floor), thus you''re engaging more of your shoulders, arms and back, and less of your chest muscles (particularly the inner chest) with this device.

You can elevate your feet on an exercise ball or box, which mimics a traditional push-up and makes the exercises more difficult.

I weigh 150 pounds and I didn''t find the Push-Up Pump anything but stable and smoothe during its operation. The metal seems substantial enough overall to hold up to 200 pounds without an issue, but I see nothing in the enclosed literature about a specific weight limit.

I used all three tension cords when I used this machine, and found it a challenge to complete 3 sets of 10 at each grip. I''d suggest that if you don''t do regular push-ups or resistance exercises, you start with one strap and see if you can do 3 sets of 15 or 20 (as on the enclosed DVD workout). If you can, add another band or do more repetitions.

The enclosed 5 minute workout says you get a quad and calf workout (legs), which I find to be false. Nothing more than you would get simply taking a walk!

The DVD workout is also done by super-fit, young models who you know use other gym equipment, not just the Push-Up Pump to get their physiques. Yet the DVD makes it seem like they got their bodies only using the Push-Up Pump. "Nah!"

NOTE: Some other female reviewers have mentioned it''s not a comfortable device for them to use due to their breast size. I am a ''D'' and I do not find this device any more uncomfortable that my Women''s Endure High-Impact Sports Bra (D Cup) Tops by Under Armour which I wear to the gym. Certainly compression of any kind on a woman''s chest is uncomfortable, but at least for me, it was not an issue using the Push-Up Pump.

Questions & Answers:

Did I feel my muscles working? Yes! You''re pushing your own body weight, with added resistance if you choose. Your muscles ARE working and it is a workout for the upper body.

Did I feel my chest pump up as much as traditional push-ups? No. More in my shoulders, arms and upper back.

Will this machine work my legs? No. You use your legs to balance, but that''s about it. No workout or resistance training for them using the machine.

Will this machine give me ripped abs? No (Planks, sit-ups, crunches, hanging leg raises and a good diet of lean protein, veggies, low carbs and low in sugar at the right number of calories for your age, gender and body type, probably will.)

Is this machine an ''All-In-One'' gym? No. It doesn''t work your legs or abs sufficiently for that to be true.

Is this a machine for seasoned fitness-types? Yes and No. It definitely works the upper body and could be used as a warm-up to other things in a pinch, but if you''re already fit and strong, regular push-ups (men''s or women''s at the knees) would do the same job. My husband who has been doing push-ups for 40+ years on a daily basis (50-100 per day) says "It takes some getting used to, but the Push-up Pump does give you a workout." He and I differ on our opinion of whether or not it targets the chest. He says he can''t tell and I think it works the back, arms and shoulders more than the chest. It may be that it''s not good or bad, just different.

Is the Push-Up Pump for those with back trouble who want to work their shoulders, arms, chest and back? I''d say No. You are supported at the chest, but your lower back has to stablize your body which does require a small amount of lower back and abdominal engagement. That goes to core strength and may be too much for some with back issues.

Is the device a good choice for fitness beginners of all ages, who want to work their shoulders, arms, chest and back? Yes. I can see everyone from kids to grandparents using this device as long as they can get up and down off the floor and from a basic prone position and start slowly at the lowest setting (no resistance bands) and from the knees. However, if you can''t do that, 2lb to 8lb dumbell exercises can do the same thing for your body at a seated position with a few more exercises.

Conclusion:

The Push-Up Pump isn''t a bad excercise device, but it''s not a total gym workout as it claims.

You will get the benefit of support at your chest while doing exercises similar to traditional push-ups, making it user-friendly for most anyone regardless of their level of fitness or upper body strength.

What you won''t get wiht the Push-Up Pump is ripped abs or a leg workout just from using this machine.

I can see where the Push-Up Pump would be useful to building up strength for traditional push-ups, and the addition of elevating your feet on an exercise ball to simulate a more traditional push-up will work the same group of muscles.

If you''re looking for an easy to store, home exercise device that uses body weight and resistance bands to help you tone and strengthen your triceps, deltoids, upper back, lats, biceps, mid-chest and forearms, you''ll like the Push-Up Pump.

If you''re looking for a way to get ripped all-over or a new, challenging home workout, you''ll want to look elsewhere.

I''m glad because now I can tell people the ups and the downs (no pun intended), and how to minimize the downs. First and foremost the Push Up Pump is intended to help people who can''t do any push ups at all, and secondly for people who would like to get multiple sets in. I fall into the latter category. The three different hand positions will determine the amount of push ups you will be able to do because of the different muscle groups involved. I find the inner handles to be the most difficult. The item comes partially unassembled, but it is relatively easy to set up. What initially threw me off is that the product is somewhat smaller than it appears to be on television. I bought mine directly from their website, an experience that was very strange. I placed the order and at first got no confirmation. Five weeks later I received an e-mail confirming my order was on the way. Two weeks after that the item finally arrived. What I hated was the fact it came with no concealment as to what the product is. There it was on my doorstep sitting there till I went out to check my mail, as if it was shouting to the neighbors "HEY LOOK! CHUBBY BOY IS GOING TO TRY TO GET IN SHAPE WITH A CRAZY GADGET! I''m sure the FedEx people were snickering through the whole process. All that aside let''s get back to the safe and proper usage of the pump. Finding the perfect area for your chest for maximum comfort will take a little trial and error, but once you''ve done that your push ups will become very comfortable. The more comfortable you are the more reps you will be able to do. I recommend placing a non skid rubber mat under the pump. When setting yourself up to the machine crawl your knees up close to the pump grab the selected handles then extend your legs behind you. Always crawl your knees up to the Push Up Pump before grabbing the handles. You must also crawl up to the pump when you are finished before standing up. Failing to do so will result in the pump falling forward and you hitting your face on the floor. The claims that the Push Up Pump is a full body workout is true, but it works the lower half of your body to a lesser degree than the upper body. You only begin to feel your legs being worked when you learn to do a lot of reps. For me it was about 30 reps before my legs began to feel engaged. I also suggest not attaching the resistance cords to the unit at first for a few days just so you can get a feel for the use. What annoys me a little though is the way the cords that are not being used get a little snagged when pushing yourself upward. The one final thing I want to say is that you must also learn to do unassisted push ups. Only unassisted push ups will force your muscles to firm up, strengthen and potentially grow, but the Push Up Pump will help many people achieve that. The Push Up Pump AND unassisted push ups is the goal to strive for.

Buy Push-Up Pump Now

This thing hurts. I do not have a lot of upper body strength, so I wanted to try this out to see if I could improve my arm and chest strength. It''s not hard to assemble or use. You just grab onto the handles, put your chest on the pad, get into the plank position, and push down. It also has attachments you can use to make the push-ups more challenging.

It does make it easy to do a push-up, but the pad in the middle HURTS. I tried adjusting my position and even put a stuffed animal over it to add more cushioning, but this thing is just not boob-friendly. My husband gave it a whack and said it hurt his chest, too. Maybe this is mainly for really overweight people. They would have more padding, so maybe it isn''t as painful? I don''t know. If you are bony or have boobs, then this is probably going to hurt.

It is also not very easy to store, unless you have a lot of free closet space, and it is selling for $100, which is entirely too expensive for a machine that doesn''t work well and does only one thing.

I would not recommend because of the poor chest support, the inconvenient size, and because it is way overpriced. Get some weights and a work-out DVD, not this.

Read Best Reviews of Push-Up Pump Here

I had a hard time getting positioned comfortably. I have large breasts....and this was not really comfortable because your weight is positioned to where half your breast is off the pad. Even after starting there''s a lot of weight on your chest. I have had issues with costochondritis in the past so maybe that is also an issue for me. I have to agree with other users that it''s not well made but it''s only $99. The seat covering was off when it arrived and was adhered by glue. I''d have to glue it back down to get it to stay. If it didn''t hurt my chest I would like it though. I really can''t say it''s made for women though.

Want Push-Up Pump Discount?

Conceptually speaking, this is a great device. I''ve been a longtime fan of Perfect Pushup Original, but the major disadvantage of those has always been you need to already be fairly strong and capable of decent push-up form to get the most benefit from them. (Short of that, you''re reduced to doing girlie push-ups from your knees to be able to get a full workout.) The Push-Up Pump aims to eliminate the form and strength issues by providing a support mechanism to enable weaker athletes to properly train their muscles while also maintaining correct push-up form. It does this with a simple lever arrangement with three sets of handles that allow your body to be supported, reducing the load of the push-up on your arms and chest. Then, as you get stronger, you engage a series of resistance bands to make the push-up harder and your body stronger. That part works great.

The part I don''t like is the bicycle seat pad that you rest your chest on which makes it feel like somebody is jamming their hand into your diaphragm. This then gets forced up into your chest as you perform the push-up, so if you haven''t situated yourself correctly and comfortably, you will know it right away. Be careful, however, how you make that position adjustment, because the Push-up Pump is quite unstable in the north south direction (especially north, toward the top of your head). One false move and the Push-up Pump will tip forward, and your chest or stomach will endure a jamming from a couple of chunks of metal, or your face will polish the floor (you choose). I don''t know why they didn''t turn the frame around (or just make the legs longer) so that the instability came back toward your feet where you could actually compensate for it, instead of having the tipping motion pull you forward and force you to (ineffectively) stop the tipping with your toes. Just not smart.

I think this device works as advertised and is a well-built piece of equipment. The design could be better, and again, you''re going to need a certain amount of strength and "feel" and practice to get the most out of it. That makes it an "okay" at three stars.

Save 17% off