re: Pushups as replacement for bench press?

I'm on the leaner side and have always done bench press and pushups as part of my routine. I've always been satisfied with my chest (and back/shoulders) size.

Now that I'm in my 40s, I don't have any interest in getting bigger in the chest/shoulders/back. For the chest specifically, I feel like age (and maybe hydration?) has it looking toned on some days but softer on others. Would it make sense to gradually move away from heavier weights (i.e. more towards push ups) to avoid additional size that will eventually become man boobs?

I also realize that diet can impact that as I get older but thinking more about the size and definition part of it. Sorry for hijack but didn't think it deserved it's own thread.

There are some good suggestions. The only one I'd add is picking an achievable number (say 10 if you think you'd struggle with 3-4). Top of every minute you do as many as you can until you hit the number.

Progression wise, you try to add a pushup each workout. So workout 2 will be 11, 3 will be 12, and so on.

It allows some self-regulation because there's no set reps per set. The overall volume dictates the set and rep scheme and you can adjust day to day.

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I'm sure it works great

I just don't like being told something is simple and being presented with an overwhelming amount of information

If it's simple then it could be stated in a few paragraphs

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It really is simple. A lot of it is Johnny Pain talking. From what I can tell, he likes to talk. But what former militray guy/fitness trainer doesn’t? But the philosophy behind the program is arguably the simplest program I’ve ever done. And I’m making some nice gains.

The base Program can be explained in about a sentence. It's the different add on that can be add that take a while to explain.

But the world needs simpletons to.

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I enjoy the Juarez Valley 20 for a quick tough chest workout. It's a prison inspired workout.

Start with 20 push ups, stand up and walk 8 feet "across your cell" drop and do 1 push up, stand up and walk 8 feet "across your cell and do 19 pushups. Repeat counting down and up. 2, 18, 3, 17, 4, 16, 5.... 9, 10.

Try to do this in under 10 minutes.

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Holy crap now that's what i'm talking about. That's 420 pushups