It's slightly useful for stamina training, but it's a very inefficient way to train.

But yes, mostly referring to weight loss.

I can't do 100 pushups right now, but probably about 50-60 (as is obvious I train for strength not stamina). In about a week I could get it up to 100 pretty easily, and I would not be lifting any more weight and I would not be losing any more weight. So beyond being able to do more pushups nothing would really change.

Sorry would edit if I could but I can't so replying. I'm actually kinda into this stuff and have gotten pretty good results doing what im doing. i have done 100 pushups as well, i was doing at least 150 a day doing 1 set of 100 one set of 50, i am in far better shape now. so if you do disagree please at least post why because I really do wanna know what you think. Always looking to train more efficiently...

Now that you clarified your point, I don't disagree. Push-ups have serious limitations with regard to strength training, of course, since it's really difficult to increase resistance. (I've toyed with the idea of rigging a special backpack and putting weight plates in it.)

For a beginning trainee, especially a sedentary person trying to get fit, I think that a hundred push-up program is a safe and easy way to start. I certainly don't think such a program is "laughable"; it'll produce noticeable good results in a fairly short period of time. Those gains will hopefully encourage the trainee to begin strength training with free weights.

In general, I personally prefer to be able to do 100 push-ups (one set), 25 pull-ups (one set), 100 sit-ups (one set), and then run 5 miles — resting no more than a couple of minutes in between — and I'm willing to sacrifice some strength gains for it. I'm still working on hitting that goal. :)

hmm i had the opposite haha! when i used to do a ton of pushups i just got more discouraged because i didn't get real gains. when i finally went with a few friends to the gym and they showed me how i got way more into it and had pretty real results after the 2nd or 3rd trip, which is why i say "laughable" etc., of course all fitness advice should go with the disclaimer that YMMV and "whatever keeps you going back" etc.

I completely disagree. Doing as few as 30 pushups/day has resulted in dramatic increases in strength in addition to weight loss and NOTICEABLE tricep formation [i.e. other people commented on it]. This coming from a guy who worked out (off and on, but mostly on) from the end of senior year to senior year of college.

Noticeable tricep formation means nothing. Muscle size != muscle strength by any measure. It's also not hard to make your muscles pop for short periods of time. If you're doing it every day I wouldn't be shocked if the "gains" you were seeing were actually just daily swelling.

30 pushups vs. doing absolutely nothing, yes you will see small results. You will also cap out in < 3 weeks at what you can gain.

Not to be a dick but please do define dramatic.

Muscles are for show as well as function sir ;)

You would get even more noticeable size increase by doing push downs with a cable or skull crushers.