Push Up Bars

Caveat: this is not to denigrate the chinkuchi push up bars nor the definition used for these devices. I don't mean to convey that this is either right or wrong or that this device is useful or not. I feel it is a good device to use for push ups, I also agree that they are by observation difficult to use thereby providing a benefit to the user if used properly. My only effort here is to question things for clarity and I hope readers will provide input along with a source to get a pair for myself. I also want to express that this is strictly an academic analysis until I do have a pair that I can use and test and theorize on their usefulness along with their association with the Okinawan quality called "Chinkuchi."

I am curious. I use a push up bar to do push up's every other day. I like them because they allow you to go deeper so you get a full cycle for a push up. You can move them around to achieve various angles thus various parts of the upper body to receive benefits, etc. 

What I am curious about is the normal push up bar has a T-bar at the bottoms of them for stability. I am curious how one can perceive chinkuchi from the bar's pictured on that face book page. On initial analysis, without having a pair to use, it seems that this is more a means of strengthening the grip and wrist while still getting a deeper push up. I feel to say that as long as you can maintain them in proper position is maintaining chinkuchi and the loss is loss of chinkuchi to be a bit iffy in truth. 

I also feel like using free weights that there are benefits, i.e. using free weights is more difficult vs. using a machine. A machine allows more weight and a more direct focus on a muscle group vs. free weights that require control to achieve good exercise with heavy weights. This may actually be the same principle for the chinkuchi push up bars. 

Now, to fully appreciate chinkuchi you really need to understand its concept. Many of the explanations, including the one Advincula uses, seem to be a bit limited. I actually feel that chinkuchi is actually the use of all the fundamental principals of martial system I believe in but I am not an expert. 

If I look at it from afar as I am doing now. I look closely at the pictures used to demo the bars on the face book site and notice that it requires the user to have their legs and feet spread out for greater stability. I wonder if the bars can be used with the feet together, legs straight and together as is done in a classical push up. I also question the push up bars being used on natural ground like in the yard. The formation of the bottom of those bars being round means they will push down partly into the ground forming around the base giving it limited stability that along with the spread legs and feet contribute to overall body stability while doing push ups.

I am not saying that those pushups are not difficult. I find the one's I do with my classical push up bars is difficult if for no other reason that when done properly it provides a much deeper and complete cycle of up and down. After all, push ups are the best if not the top three exercises anyone can do for health, fitness and upper body strength. 

I guess I am wondering if it truly is a matter of maintaing chinkuchi or just difficult enough requiring a greater focus and concentration on certain body parts to do it right and benefit. We tend to adhere names and stuff to things on a whim before truly vetting out these things so I ask these questions.

Anyone have comments, ideas or experiences with these push up bars? Anyone know where I can get a pair?

Click for a larger view and clarity.