Jumbo Shrimp Squats, Wolverine Push-ups and More!

By Al Kavadlo | Published: August 16, 2012

It’s no secret that animal exercises have been a part of my training for a while now. I’ve crawled and climbed all over Tompkins Square Park and the rest of NYC many times, but there is always more to try!

Lately I’ve been playing around with some new moves, including a version of the shrimp squat that several readers have asked me about. The “jumbo shrimp squat” involves performing the move on an elevated surface to allow for additional range of motion.

I’ve also been messing with thumbless fingertip push-ups, which I’ve dubbed “wolverine push-ups” as well as a few other things. Check out the video below for more:

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    • Michael S.

      Al you’ve just earned your superhero merit badge. Tremendous stuff! I’m gonna test drive these moves today at tsurumai park Nagoya, thx.

    • http://www.facebook.com/luizfabiano.borgo Luiz Fabiano Borgo

      Al, how are you brother?
      First I want to congratulate them for high performance comes with a mission to improve their skills, their development is impressive!
      I read many of your posts and realized that you are against excesses, I’m having problems mounting a diet, the amount of protein.

      Claim need to 1.5 grams of protein per kg body weight Many.
      However, books and other experts say that regardless of their body weight and activity level, the protein needs to be not more than 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. An example is the book: Convict conditioning.
      I would like to know your opinion on the amounts of protein and if you eat a specific amount of protein on your body weight
      Thanks brother!

    • patrick

      Al,I want to train my finger power,but I don’t know what should I do??
      please teach me

    • Andrew G

      Yo! Love the site. This question doesn’t so much relate to this post in particular as it does to bodyweight exercises in general. I’ve recently shifted to an entirely bar and gymnastic ring based workout. I’m finding myself limited in my workouts because my hands start to hurt after a while. I feel a lot of painful pressure on my hands after a while, especially with rings, and it makes me come out of holds earlier than I think I should. Is this something you get used to or is it actually because of some underlying strength deficiency that will get better with strength gains? Thanks!

    • Rob White

      Al you continue to amaze me with every new vid. tree climb with the clutch flag at the top was phenomenal! tree climb with the clutch flag at the top was phenomenal! Loved the fingertip elevated Tolasana pose as well. Maybe the Kukkutasana pose is next?

      Can i ask, do you know roughly how heavy you are these days?

    • Rob White

      Doh soz Al i just noticed you stated your weight on your FAQ!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks, Michael!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks, Luiz! I don’t monitor my macronutrients at all. I just try to eat a well balanced diet and let the details take care of themselves. Excess protein consumption is highly over-rated.

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Hey Patrick – Start with fingertip push-ups and/or fingertip planks and build up slowly from there.

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks, Andrew! Your hands will probably get stronger with more practice. Ease in gradually and be patient.

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks, Rob! I’m not sure if I can get my arms in between my legs for kukkutasana, but I’ll give it a shot sometime.

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Yep – still holding steady around 160 lbs.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Robby-Taylor/44409147 Robby Taylor

      sweet! looks like the jumbo shrimp squat is coming along nicely ;) . is it possible to balance such that the thigh of the nonworking leg can be kept perpendicular to the ground at the bottom of the move? it seems the deeper into the squat you go the more exponentially ludicrous it becomes to not fall over unless you level out the leg at the bottom as you did here. don’t get me wrong, this is definitely an excellent demonstration. where would you rank this variation when compared to the ‘regular’ advanced shrimp and the advanced pistol squat progressions?

    • http://www.facebook.com/luizfabiano.borgo Luiz Fabiano Borgo

      Thanks brother! There are so many information contrary to the other that we find in the world of fitness, it is difficult to decide what to follow, but I’ve seen and studying and coming to the conclusion I be better to have a balanced diet without worrying about the exact amount of protein
      Thanks again brother!

    • kOrsanX

      You got an aspirin fan in Turkey Al. You and your brother have inspired me to start working out. I’m training my bitch ass! And I can’t wait for your new book in 2013, hurry up!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks, Robby! For me the flexibility is more the limiting factor in keeping my leg behind me all the way to the bottom, but we all have different strengths and weaknesses.

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks! I can’t wait for the new book either! :)

    • patrick

      Training reaches the next day will feel muscle pain considered effective??
      I have been wondering for a long time

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      I’m not sure I understand the question, but if you’re asking if you need to work your fingers to the point of making them sore the next day, I don’t think that is necessary.

    • http://www.facebook.com/dambldor.albus Mickey O’Neil

      love 4 what you do bro ! saluttt!!!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks, Mickey!

    • kOrsanX

      Hey Al, quick question if I may. Is it true that fingertip pushups strengthen the forearm extensors? It just sounds weird to me, because when I do fingertip pushups, it feels more like I’m trying to “grab” the floor and not extend my fingers. Is it the isometric tension? Thanks Al!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Fingertip push-ups isometrically work both the flexors and extensors. It’s kinda like how a plank works your abs as well as your lower back.

    • JAG2

      I tore the joint capsule in my right thumb to pieces in HS then did it again about 5 years back doing fingertip pushups. It just blew. Hmmm, why didn’t I think of thumbless fingertip pushups? Glad you did, though. Thanks. FTP were always my favorite exercise.

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Bummer about your thumbs! Glad you liked this post though.

    • patrick

      Hey! Al I have a question
      If I do the L-sit can do up to 40 seconds that I should make 40 seconds of five times or 30 seconds five times
      May I ask which one more effect

    • patrick

      Excuse me Al I have another question
      If I want to train 5 times that I should be continuous for finished or done enough in 1 day
      Which one is better

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Hold it for as long as you can without letting your form break down.

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Either way is fine.

    • anthropophagus

      Hi!
      Little off-topic… how it is possible to feel pain in groin/hip area while having abs workout? What’s wrong with me? Have you ever had something like this?
      Thanks!

    • RobbyTaylor

      Hm that is definitely not normal, I would consult a physician if I were you; this could be serious!