So Ellen DeGeneres and Michele Obama have had a press-up competition (push-ups for my American readers).
Obama vs. DeGeneres
Ellen wimped out after about 20; Michele kept going for another five, but looked like she had more in her.
I got into press-ups after the astonishingly buff Vikki Scovell, the Queen of Bootcamp, challenged everyone in her class to try them.
“Men think that press-ups are their preserve”, she said, “but there is NO REASON why women can’t do them, too. They’re great for burning fat as they’re working a large area of muscle and they’re easier than you think.”
That’s all the encouragement I needed. At the time I could manage about four before I collapsed. A year later I was up to 40 (and to be clear, we’re not talking knees-down “wuss-ups”, as Vikki calls them; we’re talking proper, “boys’” press-ups). Since I hurt my shoulder I haven’t been doing them, so I may be down to a paltry five again, but I can’t wait to get back at least to Obama levels.
So, come on, ladies. How many push-ups can you manage? Five? 25? 35? 50? Could you put Michele Obama to shame? Remember, girls. Press-ups are for everyone. Get down on the floor and show the men what you can do.
