Push Up Progress

Shadowfox429
Shadowfox429 Posts: 30 Member
edited November 24 in Fitness and Exercise
One of my goals for 2018 is to reach at least 25 push ups in a row, without compromising form.
I started barely able to do 1 or 2 full push-ups.
Today I achieved multiple reps of 10 at a time!!

Feeling very motivated by this increase in strength. After I hit 25, I’ll boost my goal up again!
Do you incorporate pushups into your daily routine? How many can you do and what are your goals?

Replies

  • I'm a plank girl. High plank, low plank, side plank with and without hip pulses or leg raises, plank with alternating knee to opposite elbow, TRX plank to pike, TRX suicide crunches (there's your pushup!), TRX side plank abdominal crunches, TRX high plank oblique crunches. Good for you on the pushups!
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    Pushups ended up giving me a bad rotator cuff. I prefer planks.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    capaul42 wrote: »
    Pushups ended up giving me a bad rotator cuff. I prefer planks.

    Did you do them with your elbows flared out?
  • julie_broadhead
    julie_broadhead Posts: 347 Member
    My goals with push ups. Right now, I just want to get back to doing push ups on the ground again. I injured my shoulder in late July and am still healing. My plan to get my push ups back involves doing the exercises my Physical Therapist gave me, gradually taking my push up to the ground (right now I do them on a chair), and make an effort to not sleep on that shoulder.

    It sounds like you're making awesome progress:-) Keep it up!
  • HalfRightFaceee
    HalfRightFaceee Posts: 3 Member
    Make sure to do inverted rows as well because too many push ups can cause shoulder problems .
  • Shadowfox429
    Shadowfox429 Posts: 30 Member
    I’m starting a full body work lifting plan. Rows are definitely on the list.
    Push-ups and pull ups are just something I’ve always wanted to be better at!
  • clicketykeys
    clicketykeys Posts: 6,578 Member
    I can do floor push-ups ... up to about 30 in a row? But I have trouble getting ALL the way down. Is it better to move back to slightly elevated push-ups to get past 90 degrees, or to work on doing more floor push-ups?
  • jeremywm1977
    jeremywm1977 Posts: 657 Member
    Pushups and burpees.....two of the best no equipment needed, full-body movements.....in my opinion.
    Been doing pushups regularly, on average between 50 - 200 a week, and have developed no rotator cuff/shoulder issues whatsoever.
    I even sustained a fractured shoulder blade in a recent car accident, and have been able to get close to my that aforementioned average with little to no discomfort in that region. To each their own, perhaps.
  • WellAlB
    WellAlB Posts: 10 Member
    I started 2018 with that same goal in mind too. I’ve barely started... still can only do 2-5 successful push-ups... But I’m hoping I can do it! How long did it take you to smoothly perform 10+ since you started?
  • Shadowfox429
    Shadowfox429 Posts: 30 Member
    I’ve been doing 1-3 push-ups at time (though struggling) since the end of last year. It was really in the last few weeks that I’ve decided to change that.

    This month, I’ve been practicing push ups regularly. A few push-ups a day. I was doing 5 in a row consistently. Then this week, I hit multiple sets of 10 in a row.

    Something else that has really helped is I started a 30 day Yoga challenge that has been wonderful! Tons of full body movements and it’s given me better awareness and overall body control.
    I’ve been doing yoga on and off for a few years, but now I’ve dedicated myself to 30 days in a row to start off the year to push myself into more consistent daily practice. The videos are free on YouTube if you would like to join: Yoga With Adrienne - True Program.
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    I follow a routine in a strength training book that includes some body-weight exercises (like push-up variations) with dumbbells and other equipment. I was doing 2 sets of 20 modified half-pushups (bracing my hands on a cardio step). Now, I'm doing the same number, but without the cardio step (the book just calls them 'half-push-ups'; i.e. from the knees). Eventually I'll progress to the next level.
  • bizgirl26
    bizgirl26 Posts: 1,795 Member
    Last year I challenged myself with push ups and got to doing multiple sets of 10 in a row. This year my goal is unassisted pull ups. I don't seem to be gaining much ground with this but I am not quitting
  • jessicapk
    jessicapk Posts: 574 Member
    I can only do inclined push ups and inverted rows right now but I'm working my way to push ups and pull ups. Goals are to be able to do 5 of each but I'm not setting a time frame on it. I'm just adding it to my regular Stronglifts 5x5 routine.
  • jayemes
    jayemes Posts: 865 Member
    I can do floor push-ups ... up to about 30 in a row? But I have trouble getting ALL the way down. Is it better to move back to slightly elevated push-ups to get past 90 degrees, or to work on doing more floor push-ups?

    It's better to stop doing 30. Do 3 on the floor. Increase every few days/week. Don't increase to 30 until you're doing them all with proper form.
    I can do 100 pushups off a wall, but that's not progressing at all. I can do 15 on my knees or 3-5 straight. Much better to do those 3-5 and work on getting to 6.
  • HalfRightFaceee
    HalfRightFaceee Posts: 3 Member
    edited January 2018
    Pushups and burpees.....two of the best no equipment needed, full-body movements.....in my opinion.
    Been doing pushups regularly, on average between 50 - 200 a week, and have developed no rotator cuff/shoulder issues whatsoever.
    I even sustained a fractured shoulder blade in a recent car accident, and have been able to get close to my that aforementioned average with little to no discomfort in that region. To each their own, perhaps.
    If you do pressing movements and don't do any pulling movements to counter the muscular imbalance, you will be at a heightened risk of injury.
  • sendtoharvey
    sendtoharvey Posts: 135 Member
    I'm trying to do around 200 a day, so just hit 10-20 when the clock hits each hour so it's spaced out... that may or may not be good for me or helpful to you . but that's what I do lol
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    I can do floor push-ups ... up to about 30 in a row? But I have trouble getting ALL the way down. Is it better to move back to slightly elevated push-ups to get past 90 degrees, or to work on doing more floor push-ups?

    There's limited benefit to hyperextending your shoulders/elbows to go past 90.

  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    rybo wrote: »
    capaul42 wrote: »
    Pushups ended up giving me a bad rotator cuff. I prefer planks.

    Did you do them with your elbows flared out?

    That's usually how it happens.

    It took me years to learn to do correct pushups because nobody teaches them. and Because a correct pushup isn't up down, but forward/back.
  • jayemes
    jayemes Posts: 865 Member
    and Because a correct pushup isn't up down, but forward/back.

    @stanmann571 You just made pushups make so much more sense to me! I never thought about them as being forward and back..... it's like I can see the matrix now B)

  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    edited January 2018
    jayemes wrote: »
    and Because a correct pushup isn't up down, but forward/back.

    @stanmann571 You just made pushups make so much more sense to me! I never thought about them as being forward and back..... it's like I can see the matrix now B)

    LOL, yeah, it was that way for me too. Unless you put your hands well outside your shoulders or spread your shoulders/elbows, you can't go straight up/down. Which is a fine exercise/press, but it's not really a pushup because it's arm intensive instead of shoulder/chest.


    Oh, and you're welcome.
  • clicketykeys
    clicketykeys Posts: 6,578 Member
    I can do floor push-ups ... up to about 30 in a row? But I have trouble getting ALL the way down. Is it better to move back to slightly elevated push-ups to get past 90 degrees, or to work on doing more floor push-ups?
    jayemes wrote: »
    It's better to stop doing 30. Do 3 on the floor. Increase every few days/week. Don't increase to 30 until you're doing them all with proper form.
    I can do 100 pushups off a wall, but that's not progressing at all. I can do 15 on my knees or 3-5 straight. Much better to do those 3-5 and work on getting to 6.

    If I could do 3 all the way down, I'd do that - but I can't even get all the way down for 1! I'm wondering what a good way to scaffold is - if it's better to do floor push-ups with a partial press, or if it's better to go back to chair push-ups and try to get all the way down. (The chair is braced against the wall, btw! Safety first. ;D )
  • WilmaValley
    WilmaValley Posts: 1,092 Member
    Oh boy, I can do five but want and need to do more! Great inspiration here!
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    I can do floor push-ups ... up to about 30 in a row? But I have trouble getting ALL the way down. Is it better to move back to slightly elevated push-ups to get past 90 degrees, or to work on doing more floor push-ups?
    jayemes wrote: »
    It's better to stop doing 30. Do 3 on the floor. Increase every few days/week. Don't increase to 30 until you're doing them all with proper form.
    I can do 100 pushups off a wall, but that's not progressing at all. I can do 15 on my knees or 3-5 straight. Much better to do those 3-5 and work on getting to 6.

    If I could do 3 all the way down, I'd do that - but I can't even get all the way down for 1! I'm wondering what a good way to scaffold is - if it's better to do floor push-ups with a partial press, or if it's better to go back to chair push-ups and try to get all the way down. (The chair is braced against the wall, btw! Safety first. ;D )

    Mix it up.

    Do partial floor reps. Both knee and distance. Do leaning. If you've got some moderate dumbells/kettlebells, you can also try floor/bench press with the bells.

    For floor knee reps reps, start in the down position and drive your feet and knees into the floor while keeping the rigid plank(head to knee) from the side it should look as if you're doing a full pushup with your feet going through the floor.... rather than a crawl position.

    Most people when doing knee pushups were taught that it's acceptable to hinge at the waist as well as bending the knees... that's not a pushup.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,743 Member
    I did a push up challenge a year ago, increasing my pushups each week. It ended up destroying my shoulder. Now I can't do any. :-(
  • clicketykeys
    clicketykeys Posts: 6,578 Member
    I can do floor push-ups ... up to about 30 in a row? But I have trouble getting ALL the way down. Is it better to move back to slightly elevated push-ups to get past 90 degrees, or to work on doing more floor push-ups?
    jayemes wrote: »
    It's better to stop doing 30. Do 3 on the floor. Increase every few days/week. Don't increase to 30 until you're doing them all with proper form.
    I can do 100 pushups off a wall, but that's not progressing at all. I can do 15 on my knees or 3-5 straight. Much better to do those 3-5 and work on getting to 6.

    If I could do 3 all the way down, I'd do that - but I can't even get all the way down for 1! I'm wondering what a good way to scaffold is - if it's better to do floor push-ups with a partial press, or if it's better to go back to chair push-ups and try to get all the way down. (The chair is braced against the wall, btw! Safety first. ;D )

    Mix it up.

    Do partial floor reps. Both knee and distance. Do leaning. If you've got some moderate dumbells/kettlebells, you can also try floor/bench press with the bells.

    For floor knee reps reps, start in the down position and drive your feet and knees into the floor while keeping the rigid plank(head to knee) from the side it should look as if you're doing a full pushup with your feet going through the floor.... rather than a crawl position.

    Most people when doing knee pushups were taught that it's acceptable to hinge at the waist as well as bending the knees... that's not a pushup.

    Thank you so much! I'll try this and post here with how it's going. What do you mean by floor/bench press? I have dumbbells but not kettlebells.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    I can do floor push-ups ... up to about 30 in a row? But I have trouble getting ALL the way down. Is it better to move back to slightly elevated push-ups to get past 90 degrees, or to work on doing more floor push-ups?
    jayemes wrote: »
    It's better to stop doing 30. Do 3 on the floor. Increase every few days/week. Don't increase to 30 until you're doing them all with proper form.
    I can do 100 pushups off a wall, but that's not progressing at all. I can do 15 on my knees or 3-5 straight. Much better to do those 3-5 and work on getting to 6.

    If I could do 3 all the way down, I'd do that - but I can't even get all the way down for 1! I'm wondering what a good way to scaffold is - if it's better to do floor push-ups with a partial press, or if it's better to go back to chair push-ups and try to get all the way down. (The chair is braced against the wall, btw! Safety first. ;D )

    Mix it up.

    Do partial floor reps. Both knee and distance. Do leaning. If you've got some moderate dumbells/kettlebells, you can also try floor/bench press with the bells.

    For floor knee reps reps, start in the down position and drive your feet and knees into the floor while keeping the rigid plank(head to knee) from the side it should look as if you're doing a full pushup with your feet going through the floor.... rather than a crawl position.

    Most people when doing knee pushups were taught that it's acceptable to hinge at the waist as well as bending the knees... that's not a pushup.

    Thank you so much! I'll try this and post here with how it's going. What do you mean by floor/bench press? I have dumbbells but not kettlebells.

    If you don't have a bench(for bench pressing), you can do single side "floor presses"
    While laying on your back.
    Using a moderately/comfortably heavy dumbbell
    Take both hands(to reduce injury risk on wrist and shoulder) and bring the weight over your chest/shoulder.
    Press the weight straight up(like a pushup or bench press motion) 5-15 reps.
    Pass the rep "over your head" rather than across your face or chest.... this matters more as you progress to heavier weights.

    You may also recognize this drill as the first step of the "Turkish" getup.

    https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/dumbbell-bench-press
    You can do the presses wide as in the above photos or more narrowly
    https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-turkish-get-up.html

    If you progress to really heavy weights you'll need to do the exaggerated fetal position roll up(as shown in the link) vs a two handed cross body curl/row(as described above. Either way, respect the weight and always bring it from the floor to "rack" with both hands.
  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 674 Member
    I made a push-up goal a couple years ago! I have a lot of scar tissue on my torso from surgeries, so I started with planks and wall push-ups. Now, I have improved enough to do a couple sets of 11 against my bed. Sometimes, I'll get down on my yoga mat and start from my belly, but it's still a struggle to do 10 of those. DOMS in my chest feels weird, but there has been genuine improvement in my carriage and musculature even though I still can't do an actual push-up!
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