Can't do push ups, Please help!

siurzua

I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my right wrist and cannot do push ups. Any suggestions for what I could do instead?

dawniemate

check out gillian michaels shred. level one, watch the girl on the right behind her, cant remember her name, but she shows how to do push ups leaning on your forearms, if that makes sense!...im sure someone else can explain it better but it can be done, i did it as i had rotator cuff problems...good luck

isthisolivia

So i have pretty bad wrists (carpal on right, surgery on my left) and my trainer had me plank during the pushup portion of our session when i first couldnt do a pushup. I then bought some fantastic wrist gloves (Wrist Assured Gloves) and since I bought those i slowly have worked my way up from lower plank pushups (forearms -> down ---> back to plank on forearms) to modified push ups to bear crawl pushups to regular pushups. Since working out for a bit, i have found my carpal to flare up much less. Strength training + slow and steady work has changed everything.

Also, do a search for Yoga Wrist Pushups for Carpal video. Its definitely helpful.

LKArgh

When it is bothering you, push ups and all alternative exercises are completely forbidden, do not even think about it. When you feel completely fine, start with dumbbell bench presses and as you get stronger, and if the wrist does not bother you, then you can try again push-ups.

Joel33mfp

Dumbbell chest press is a great way to go... That's because your wrists down have to flex like when you do push ups. I do suspension training with a lady who has Carpal tunnel in both wrists, but by getting a straight weighted bar... I like the 30 and 40 pound... Gives a nice clearance... She can do them without pain. The problem is putting your hands flat on the ground and bending them. That's why you see guys doing them on their knuckle. To use the bar, put it in front of you and put 4 small weights in front and behind... So it can't roll away and then grab the bar so you wrist is not bent... You can also use the bar on the smith machine... That's great as you can adjust how high the bar is to your level. I hope this helps and like the guy before said... Stop when it hurts... It's your bodies way of letting you know before an injury.

siurzua

Thank you so much! I am definitely going to try your suggestions:D. Right now I am in a lot of pain so I will allow myself heal first. This gives me time to research some more:) So very thankful for your advice!!