I need help...push up advice

Pizzagirl50

I know there is 30 pages of "push up" talk going on here but I didn't find (nor did I read all 30 pages) what I need to know.

What are the best exercises to do to develop the muscles needed for a push up? Are the knee push ups a good way to start? I can do those all day so I can't figure out why I can't even do 1 regular? Also, are push up and pull up muscles related? As in if I train for push ups I'll also be training for pull ups?

Why pay a trainer when I can get answers from you awesome peeps!

kneeki

If you can do knee-push ups all day, but not a single standard pushup, you're likely doing something very wrong. Watch/Read: http://www.builtlean.com/2011/02/23/how-to-proper-push-up-form/

And no, Push up's are primarily a triceps and chest exercise, pull ups are focused on back and biceps.

kayleen_longworth

You need core strength to hold pushup form. Planks and ab crunchs will work the core muscles needed to start doing pushups.

sapalee

Bridging the gap between knne pushups and regular has been helpful for me. Did my first real one about a month ago and now I'm to 5!

Staring on knees, on the up press bring your knees off the floor and go into full position on your toes at the top, try to keep flat back/proper position. Lower yourself in full position on your toes, go back to knees at the bottom and repeat. If you can't lower on your toes just go back to your knees before lowering.

Make sense? Hard to explain...

Either way you are training to be in the full position at the top, the time you need on your knees will gradually decrease.

sapalee

and tighten your glutes, I still forget this and have to constantly be reminded....

pduckworth

I was doing the same thing. Couldn't figure out why I was able to do a million knee push ups and hardly any regular ones. Decided to look at my form in the mirror and immediately died. It was SO off. Once I corrected it, I could totally feel the workout in my shoulders. Make sure your knee position form is correct

_Schatzi_

I have a really great modification I use: Stand about 2 feet away from a wall, lean in and put your hands on the wall at your shoulders, push out away from the wall. The further back you stand- the more oomph!

These are great, because you are still using your body weight, and working the right muscle groups. I find they don't put undue stress on the wrists like pushing up off the floor.

Good luck!

kdiamond

Practice makes perfect...I do 50 pushups a day (not all at the same time, in sets of 10) but it took a couple of years to be able to do it. I started at 1 or 2 per set a couple of years ago.

AirCircleI

Try a push-up on a bench, sort of half-way between the knees and the floor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PouVQ65LjOs

You can do them on a park bench or workout bench or similar.