Who did 1 million pushups?

The Incredible Story of the Man Who Did 1 Million Pushups

When we talk about bodyweight exercises, pushups are one of the first things that come to our minds. It’s a classic move that targets your chest, shoulders, triceps, and core. But have you ever heard of someone doing one million pushups? That’s right, one million pushups.

Meet Paddy Doyle

Paddy Doyle is a former Royal Marine Commando and a world-record holder for multiple feats of strength and endurance. In 1987, he started his journey towards fitness by doing 100,000 pushups in a year. He was 22 years old at the time and weighed 182 pounds. It took him 767 hours to complete the challenge, and he did it in sets of 200-300 repetitions per session.

The Journey Towards One Million

After completing the 100,000 pushup challenge, Doyle set his sights on a bigger goal – to complete one million pushups in his lifetime. He believed that it was achievable and started working towards it by doing 2,000-3,000 pushups per day. To put that in perspective, the average person would struggle to do 20 pushups in a row without stopping.

The Rules of the Challenge

Doyle set some rules for himself to count each pushup towards the challenge. Firstly, each pushup had to be done with proper form, i.e., full range of motion, touching the ground with his chest, and locking out his elbows at the top. Secondly, he had to complete the challenge in sets of 1,000. Finally, he had to complete the challenge before his 50th birthday.

The Final Push Towards One Million

After years of dedication and perseverance, Paddy Doyle achieved his lifelong goal of doing one million pushups on May 29, 2015, at the age of 51. It took him 2,320 days or nearly 6.5 years to complete the challenge. He did his final set of 1,000 pushups at the Stratford-upon-Avon Leisure Center, where he had trained for many years.

The Benefits of Bodyweight Exercises

Paddy Doyle’s incredible feat of doing one million pushups is not just inspiring, but it also highlights the benefits of bodyweight exercises. Pushups, along with other bodyweight exercises, require no equipment and can be done anywhere, making them a convenient and cost-effective way to stay fit. They also improve your overall strength, endurance, and flexibility, making them a great addition to any fitness routine.

The Takeaway

Paddy Doyle’s journey towards doing one million pushups is a testament to what can be achieved with dedication, hard work, and a clear goal in mind. It’s also a reminder that bodyweight exercises can be just as effective as gym equipment and can lead to remarkable outcomes. So, the next time you’re looking to get fit, remember that you don’t need fancy equipment to achieve your fitness goals – your bodyweight is all you need.