Cheers for the replies
New question: Is there a way to look at how a push-up translates into a bench press? For example, if I weight 11st, is doing push ups like bench pressing, something like 8st?
I don't think it works that way really. The push up, when done right puts stresses on almost all of your upper body, while bench work really focuses on the chest 1st and tris 2nd.
One cool thing you can do with your push up bar if your goal is to get the heavy bench type of pump would be to change your resistence a little bit. For instance, use a chair and put your feet up, and slowly make that gravity point harder which will work you in slightly different areas, but as you fight gravity, it adds resistence, which is like weight.
At my gym some people put weights on their back, but I always think this looks weird and I don't really see how it helps with the distribution of the weight not being perfect and all of that.
push ups, dips and pull ups are the best thing you cant do for that upper body. Better than any weight training.
I just had my shoulder replaced (yeah, at 30...) and am doing physical therapy. I can't wait to get back to it!