Hi All,
Did a slow motion 2-minute push up just then. Quite difficult, I felt it the most in my triceps. Also got jerky when nearing the bottom.
I have been reading this thread with much interest. Such exercises are extremely effective at building core strength. And whether you like it or not, you use your core as a foundation whether you run, push-up, punch, climb - almost any application you can think of.
Gordon Shellshear, founder of Solace Core Focus Training, has been specializing in the "internal" push-up (related to the slow push-up you describe, but holding it out - ie the plank) for a few years now. I know him personally and he does 12 minutes, five days a week.
If anyone knows someone else who can do this, I'd like to know! Of course it would be possible to take drugs, do 12 minutes once and burn out, but if this were so, I daresay you wouldn't be at it again the next day.
Anyway, if you also are interested in gaining proficiency in this kind of hard-core focus training, maybe check out the DVD which is available from his website. It comes with free online tuition from the man himself:
Respect
Rene Wooller (Solace student)