Pushups - Should I even bother yet?

GummyHuman

Oh, the elusive pushup. I have never done a real pushup in my life. I've never even completed a "fake" pushup. I've tried, but 1/3 of the way down I realize that if I go any lower my arms will give out. And then my wrists feel sore for about 10 minutes and my ego gets bruised.

Couple questions about pushups...

How much of your weight are you actually "lifting" when doing a pushup?

Also, how much are bench presses actually like pushups? I have just gotten into lifting and I am bench pressing 70 pounds (will try for 75 tonight), but I would think pushups have a bit more to do with your core/back strength than bench presses.

Basically, what I am thinking is, until I can lift the amount of weight that I need to push in a pushup, I won't physically be able to do a pushup. (so I should stop killing my wrists/ego trying)

cmriverside

keep doing them.

You can start on inclined surfaces - the wall, a desk, a chair, an ottoman.

Go to the 100 pushups challenge website for more tips.

You'll be doing them in no time.

cmriverside

also, you can do pushups on your knuckles, so you don't get that wrist thing.

deksgrl

Can you do one on the wall? Start in a nearly standing upright position and push off the wall. As that gets easier, move your feet out a little farther from the wall.

daliyanin

In my experience... the only way to do a push-up is to DO a push up. Even if you only get down a 1/3 of the way. Do this in combination with your bench presses or other weight training exercises. You will eventually work your way up to 1, and go from there.

parkscs

If you want to be able to do push ups, keep working to do push ups. But you don't have to.

If you're looking to build/retain muscles and work your chest, you're perfectly fine to stick with bench presses, flies, and so on. It's not that you can't do push-ups in lieu of or in addition to your chest workout, but rather it's just not necessary to do so. A lot of people use push-ups either to super-set their bench presses or they will do weighted push-ups as part of their chest routine but realize that it's simply an option and it's in no way mandatory.

concordancia

ETA: I forgot the original question: Yes, you should bother yet! I figure even if I can just keep what muscle I have now, I will be a push up master by the time I lose 80 pounds!

There are many ways to progress. I have had the most success in the past with starting at counter height, moving to bench height, then moving to the floor. I was basically following the 100 push up program, but I would progress to a lower height when I could do enough to get bored, about 30. However, I stopped doing them for awhile and now I am back to bench height.

Once you get to floor height, you can try a number of things. My husband used to go to a park and find a rock that was about should width and flat. He would grab the sides of the rock to change the position of his wrists. You could do something similar on a bench (a long bench, with your feet on the bench, as well). You can also use dumbbells as handles. It will raise your hands off the ground a couple of inches, but once you get that close, you could use the dumbbells for training and check ourself on the floor every once in awhile.

JoRocka

Can you do one on the wall? Start in a nearly standing upright position and push off the wall. As that gets easier, move your feet out a little farther from the wall.

^^ this

then as that gets better- go tot a counter top.

moving down to a chair or use the stairs.

Keep working on it.

frangrann

How about practicing the plank 30 -60 seconds on elbows and knees then extended arms and toes.

Also they sell the push up blocks that twist when you press up, might help your wrists

ImpishVanity

You can also try "reverse" pushups. You lower yourself slowly and hold yourself in the "down" position as long as possible, then relax to the floor. Keep doing those until you can hold yourself in the down position longer and longer. It will help with the pushup form. Combine this with the incline pushups off of walls, chairs, steps, etc until you can do them normally. You'd be surprised how quickly you build it up. Just don't get discouraged by not being able to do one just yet. I couldn't do even one when I first enlisted in the military and well... now I do them all the time XD

kobiemom

Do a reverse push-up. Start in a plank position - or modified plank on your knees - and slowly lower yourself down. You'll get better and better at it until you can do regular push-ups. I didn't do a *real* push-up until recently, at age 56.

KarenJanine

This gives a good estimation of how much you are lifting with a push up: http://todayiwill.com/2011/03/how-much-weight-is-really-lifted-during-a-push-up/#.Uvl66IkgHCQ

GummyHuman

I will keep trying then! Thanks all! :flowerforyou:

GummyHuman

This gives a good estimation of how much you are lifting with a push up: http://todayiwill.com/2011/03/how-much-weight-is-really-lifted-during-a-push-up/#.Uvl66IkgHCQ

Thanks Karen! Great info!

GummyHuman

If you want to be able to do push ups, keep working to do push ups. But you don't have to.

If you're looking to build/retain muscles and work your chest, you're perfectly fine to stick with bench presses, flies, and so on. It's not that you can't do push-ups in lieu of or in addition to your chest workout, but rather it's just not necessary to do so. A lot of people use push-ups either to super-set their bench presses or they will do weighted push-ups as part of their chest routine but realize that it's simply an option and it's in no way mandatory.

Being defeated by pushups in every gym class I was ever forced to take is the reason I want to do pushups. :bigsmile: