Nooooo upper body strength

jaxbeck
jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but I have zero upper body strength. Even with lifting with 10 pound weights for the last month or so I can't even do one full girl push up or even a single pull up. Suggestions on getting stronger??
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Replies

  • docktorfokse
    docktorfokse Posts: 473 Member
    lift more weight.
  • aspenwind
    aspenwind Posts: 26 Member
    I'd recommend these.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/zero-to-100-pushups-for-complete-beginners/

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/pullups-for-total-beginners/
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Move up to 12 lbs.

    And so on.
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    I'd recommend these.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/zero-to-100-pushups-for-complete-beginners/

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/pullups-for-total-beginners/

    Thank you!
  • shiseido_faerie
    shiseido_faerie Posts: 771 Member
    I actually started my pushups against a wall, and against a counterop until I built up some strength, I still can't do a lot but it's much better than before so soon I hope to be able to do them like it's no big deal!
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    I actually started my pushups against a wall, and against a counterop until I built up some strength, I still can't do a lot but it's much better than before so soon I hope to be able to do them like it's no big deal!

    I saw that in the above links, had never considered tht. I'll be doing 'em tonight!
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    Move up to 12 lbs.

    And so on.

    I was looking to not purchase any more equipment but it looks like I may need to....
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Move up to 12 lbs.

    And so on.

    I was looking to not purchase any more equipment but it looks like I may need to....

    You have to progressively move up in weight to gain strength.
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    Move up to 12 lbs.

    And so on.

    I was looking to not purchase any more equipment but it looks like I may need to....

    You have to progressively move up in weight to gain strength.

    Makes perfect sense, looks like I will be hitting the sporting store soon
  • shiseido_faerie
    shiseido_faerie Posts: 771 Member
    I actually started my pushups against a wall, and against a counterop until I built up some strength, I still can't do a lot but it's much better than before so soon I hope to be able to do them like it's no big deal!

    I saw that in the above links, had never considered tht. I'll be doing 'em tonight!

    Doh, I should've looked at the links lol

    I can now do about 10 girl pushups on the ground, then I have to get up and do some against the wall, but then I can usually get back down on the floor and do a few more, so huge improvement.
  • Jules2Be
    Jules2Be Posts: 2,238 Member
    I started doing them against the kitchen counter, but instead of going to knee push ups next like the link suggested, I just did them from a lower surface, the 3rd step...i am hoping to move to the 2nd step soon....

    not a fan of the knee push ups...:smile:
  • marieautumn
    marieautumn Posts: 928 Member
    when i started crossfit i had the same problem. i could hardly do a girly push up (on the knees instead of plank). just keep doing them every night and you arms will get better. i think ring rows really helped me too.
    EDIT-I can now do normal non girly pushups AND hindu pushups
    ring-rows.gif
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    Move up to 12 lbs.

    And so on.

    I was looking to not purchase any more equipment but it looks like I may need to....
    If you can do more then 8 reps with a weight, time to go heavier. I was barely able to do 60 degree pushups before but now I do decline push ups
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    Move up to 12 lbs.

    And so on.

    I was looking to not purchase any more equipment but it looks like I may need to....

    You have to progressively move up in weight to gain strength.

    Bingo.

    I started curling 10 lb dumbbells. I'm up to doing 30 lbs but only in 3-4 reps (I normally do 20's).

    FWIW, I still can't do more than 5 pushups. My chest muscles are not trained enough for it yet.
  • MommaKit79
    MommaKit79 Posts: 852
    I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but I have zero upper body strength. Even with lifting with 10 pound weights for the last month or so I can't even do one full girl push up or even a single pull up. Suggestions on getting stronger??

    I am in the same boat! I tried last night to do 1 regular push-up and OMG, I couldnt do even 1!! But, these suggestions seem really good so, I guess I will start with the wall!! :)
  • Sp1nGoddess
    Sp1nGoddess Posts: 1,134 Member
    I started out doing girly pushups from my knees then progressed to real push ups, then real pushups with good form. Now I can do 3x12 real pushups.

    I choose a weight that is challenging to get 8 reps, once I can do 3x8 I increase the weight.
  • Shfiftyfive
    Shfiftyfive Posts: 261
    Find some selectorized dumbbells. Probably a lot cheaper than buying a bunch of individual dumbbell sets of varying weights.
  • misscristie
    misscristie Posts: 643 Member
    Bumping for links!
  • Jules2Be
    Jules2Be Posts: 2,238 Member
    I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but I have zero upper body strength. Even with lifting with 10 pound weights for the last month or so I can't even do one full girl push up or even a single pull up. Suggestions on getting stronger??

    I am in the same boat! I tried last night to do 1 regular push-up and OMG, I couldnt do even 1!! But, these suggestions seem really good so, I guess I will start with the wall!! :)

    good luck!
    I did them off the back of my sleigh bed too, forgot about that..
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    I 've had surgery on my wrist and have a metal plate in it. It causes discomfort for my wrist to have them flat on the ground. If anyone else has this trouble, I'd like to note that a Perfect Pushup ( something like this, but they sell them much cheaper, it's just an example: http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/bodyrev-perfect-push-up-bar.html ) or something that swivels with handles is a lot easier on your wrist to use. Alternately, to work up to pushups, you can use the handicap bar in a bathroom stall. Just don't hit your head on the wall. ;)

    **Edit: Or you can use dumbbells to grip and lower yourself. Anything that grips helps better than having the wrist at a 90-degree angle.
  • aspenwind
    aspenwind Posts: 26 Member
    I 've had surgery on my wrist and have a metal plate in it. It causes discomfort for my wrist to have them flat on the ground. If anyone else has this trouble, I'd like to note that a Perfect Pushup ( something like this, but they sell them much cheaper, it's just an example: http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/bodyrev-perfect-push-up-bar.html ) or something that swivels with handles is a lot easier on your wrist to use. Alternately, to work up to pushups, you can use the handicap bar in a bathroom stall. Just don't hit your head on the wall. ;)

    **Edit: Or you can use dumbbells to grip and lower yourself. Anything that grips helps better than having the wrist at a 90-degree angle.

    You can also make a fist and do them on your knuckles. You'll probably want padding of some sort though.
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    I actually started my pushups against a wall, and against a counterop until I built up some strength, I still can't do a lot but it's much better than before so soon I hope to be able to do them like it's no big deal!

    I saw that in the above links, had never considered tht. I'll be doing 'em tonight!

    Doh, I should've looked at the links lol

    I can now do about 10 girl pushups on the ground, then I have to get up and do some against the wall, but then I can usually get back down on the floor and do a few more, so huge improvement.

    Doing way better than me! I can't do one!!
  • mariacolumbus
    mariacolumbus Posts: 227 Member
    I know exactly what you are talking about...I used to also have zero upper body strength!!! I have been doing P90X for about 6 months (on my 3rd round) and now i can do 40 plank push ups, and 9 unassisted pull ups!!! I'm so excited. AND my arms are really getting some definition to them. As the other posters have said, start where you can and increase it each time. Trust me if I can do it anyone can!!!!
    good luck!
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    Move up to 12 lbs.

    And so on.

    I was looking to not purchase any more equipment but it looks like I may need to....
    If you can do more then 8 reps with a weight, time to go heavier. I was barely able to do 60 degree pushups before but now I do decline push ups

    That's a good point, I can go forever with my 10 pounders
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I 've had surgery on my wrist and have a metal plate in it. It causes discomfort for my wrist to have them flat on the ground. If anyone else has this trouble, I'd like to note that a Perfect Pushup ( something like this, but they sell them much cheaper, it's just an example: http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/bodyrev-perfect-push-up-bar.html ) or something that swivels with handles is a lot easier on your wrist to use. Alternately, to work up to pushups, you can use the handicap bar in a bathroom stall. Just don't hit your head on the wall. ;)

    **Edit: Or you can use dumbbells to grip and lower yourself. Anything that grips helps better than having the wrist at a 90-degree angle.

    We love our Perfect Pushups. I use them also:

    20090822221138.jpg
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but I have zero upper body strength. Even with lifting with 10 pound weights for the last month or so I can't even do one full girl push up or even a single pull up. Suggestions on getting stronger??

    I am in the same boat! I tried last night to do 1 regular push-up and OMG, I couldnt do even 1!! But, these suggestions seem really good so, I guess I will start with the wall!! :)

    Hopefully they will help!
  • lpekny
    lpekny Posts: 63 Member
    I could not do them either but after a few rounds of Jillian Michales 30 day shred, I can do about 8 or so. I do the shred with 5 lb weights, but I am thinking of moving up to the next higher ones after I finish this round of the Shred.
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    Find some selectorized dumbbells. Probably a lot cheaper than buying a bunch of individual dumbbell sets of varying weights.

    I will look that up, thank you!
  • LilRedRooster
    LilRedRooster Posts: 1,421 Member
    when i started crossfit i had the same problem. i could hardly do a girly push up (on the knees instead of plank). just keep doing them every night and you arms will get better. i think ring rows really helped me too.
    EDIT-I can now do normal non girly pushups AND hindu pushups

    I had to look up what a Hindu pushup was. In my martial arts school, we called them "under-the-wire" pushups, haha. Hindu falls of the tongue much more easily.
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    I know exactly what you are talking about...I used to also have zero upper body strength!!! I have been doing P90X for about 6 months (on my 3rd round) and now i can do 40 plank push ups, and 9 unassisted pull ups!!! I'm so excited. AND my arms are really getting some definition to them. As the other posters have said, start where you can and increase it each time. Trust me if I can do it anyone can!!!!
    good luck!



    That's impressive!

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