I would like to do push ups but I can't even do one...crap

conleeper · November 2012

I am a 53 year old woman, in the summer I was weighing 204 pounds, got determined to lose weight and I've been having good success seeing my weight come down. I am ready to add push ups because I think my body isn't reacting to all the walking I've been doing. I got down on the floor and could not even do one, the only thing that came out of me was a loud sound of me failing. Crap.... I don't have any idea how to even start with many if I can't even do one... do you have any suggestions as to what can help me.

Thank you

wellbert · November 2012

Start with wall push ups
then do incline push ups
then modified pushups
then pushups
then one arm pushups
then handstand pushups

maricash · November 2012

Start doing them on an incline and then work your way down. You can start by just doing them with a slight incline against a wall, or else on a counter top, desk, coffee table -- whatever is low enough to be challenging but not so low that you can't even do one. I started with my kitchen counter and am now down to my coffee table. I'll make it to the floor someday!

Edited to add: I like welbert's response (posted at the same time as mine) -- maybe I'll make my ultimate goal handstand push-ups.

conleeper · November 2012

I'm not even sure I know what a wall push up is but I can google that, thanks for the tips, I'm gonna accomplish this eventually, you guys are the best.

lousoulbody · November 2012

Keep working at it, one's a start

...

Cheers:drinker:

jmc0806 · November 2012

Also try doing them from your knees first until you can do regular push ups and build up your strength first

ma_oeuvre · November 2012

Keep trying! I'm hopeless at them - when I first started I could hardly do one - now I can do seven

(Yep, seven whole push ups!)

AmyRhubarb · November 2012

Great site/app to help you build up your pushup power: http://hundredpushups.com/#sthash.qYL65rMH.dpbs

beekuzz · November 2012

Start with wall push ups
then do incline push ups
then modified pushups
then pushups
then one arm pushups
then handstand pushups

WooHoo, handstand pushups, here I come. . . . NOT! lol I've done the wall, so I guess I'd better move onto a counter or something. One day I dream of even a modified (girly pushup).

conleeper · November 2012

YAY one day I hope to do 7, or 8 heck even 9.

Thank you thank you thank you

okay back to the floor, gonna try those knee ones now.

Ladyslippers · November 2012

Wall pushups are a great way to start. Stand facing a wall, far enough away that you can place your palms flat on the wall at shoulder height. Start your pushups from there, making sure to keep your back flat. If it's too easy, slide your feet back so that you're leaning into the wall. When that gets too easy, do it on the kitchen counter, which will use more body weight.

Eventually you'll get to where you can do them on the floor. Start on your stomach, hands by your shoulders. Bend your knees so your feet stick up behind you and cross your ankles (that's a modified position--easier than straight-legged) and go for it. If you're not sure of the form, I'm sure there are lots of Youtube videos or other sites that will show proper form. Just remember, form is really important.

You can do this!

samlankford · November 2012

I could barely do 1 pushup when I first started doing insanity, now I can do about 25 of them in a minute... I agree, with starting with the wall pushups... I would then go the "girly" puchups that you do on your knees... then slowly work up to doing the regular pushups...

Alex_is_Hawks · November 2012

Start....that's the secret...just start...

it will suck...but sucking at it is how you recognize the glory of the success later.

In August I decided I had to learn how to do a push up...and it was horrible...

awful awful awful...i couldn't do even one...

now, I do many...and my form is great and my arms are getting stronger...and I'm SO proud of myself...

so what did I do?

i bought a pull up bar and decided I have to conquer the pull up...(I do...it's necessary for upper strength for my pole dance...)

and I can't even do one...but it's a start...and I will get there...

just start.

NCchar130 · November 2012

I started with modified pushups (on my knees) and it took 4 months of doing those regularly, increasing the number I could do, before I could do one "real' pushup and that was just a few days ago!! Not sure if it's really increased strength or the fact that I've lost 30 pounds that has enabled me to do it, but either way, I'm thrilled!

hollybo53 · November 2012

Hi, I am a 59-year-old woman who on December 6, 2011 shattered her shoulder. One of the things they had to do in the 4 surgeries I've had since then is sever my biceps tendon. Don't get discouraged!!!! Don't start on the floor first, start on a wall. Stand only apx. 10 inches away from the wall with your arms straight ahead on the wall. This is a standing push up. As you get stronger, you can stand farther away, then move to a counter and so on. It will happen. Have faith.

pickledginger · November 2012

LadySlippers's description is excellent. Just remember to tighten your abdominal musclrs and keep them firm, to stabilized the body and protect the back.

annams76 · November 2012

I started with the "girl" style push ups, where you are on your knees instead of being in a plank postion. I am not sure if this is a good idea or a good thing but it worked for me. I can do about 32 in a minute now but insanity has helped with this too.

kdeaux1959 · November 2012

Start with wall push ups
then do incline push ups
then modified pushups
then pushups
then one arm pushups
then handstand pushups

Then add additional weights to your handstand pushups... LOL>

Actually this is good advice. If you can, a gym membership to a family gym will help too. Start with lighter weight machines and add resistance. Weight training is not so much an aerobic activity as it is a strength training activity. There are 3 primary areas we all need to develop...

Endurance --- aerobic exercises such as walking, running, cycling, etc.
Strength --- Resistance training such as push ups, sit ups, weights (this also helps tone and makes you look better even
though the scales may not drop as much)
Flexibility -- yoga, stretching, etc.

cordianet · November 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UayvOd0xlAU

hellraisedfire · November 2012

I agree with the modified push ups! I can do those all day, but if I try to do a regular push up I tip over or something.

Gwen_B · November 2012

I didn't use to be able to do any, so I started to lift weights and now I can do reps of 15 real push ups.

imstarr2 · November 2012

I wasn't able to do a single push-up either just last January. Everyday I tried to do one, and now I can several. Your body will react when it is ready. You just have to be patience and keep working on it. My goal this year is to do a pull up without assisted weight. I was doing 130 help now at 70. It all just takes time and hard work. YOU CAN DO IT!

Ant_the_old_keith_lemon · November 2012

modified girly push up = get a Stability ball and pivot from the waist and over time move the ball further out
waist,
quads,
knees,
shins,
feet,
toes,
one leg

always aim for it to be HARD runiing out of steam on the 8-12th rep, if dothat rest assured further practice and three weeks you`ll be sorted

things to note#
1)keep you hands say 6-10 inches below that of your head so they form a triangle
2) if your arms are wide it works the chest area
3)if your arms are tucked in it works the triceps area
4)work slow and controlled noting your form especially on your core area

never be ashamed of 8 reps....

mom2handh1975 · November 2012

I recently started going to a kickboxing class with my friends. Most of us are chubby girls, and when we started, our trainer had us do 5 push-ups in between each set of whatever we were doing. With each class, he increases the set by one push-up. Tomorrow we'll be doing 13 push-ups between each set on our rotation. Two weeks ago, I did the math and discovered we did nearly 200 push-ups in a one-hour class. Seriously! :happy: Never in a million years did I think I could say I did that! They're hard, but your muscles get stronger so quickly, you'll be able to do regular push-ups before you know it! Just keep trying. That's all it takes!

CaitySins · November 2012

Do "women's" push-ups. When I was trying to lose weight when I was younger I came across them, and they still work your upper area and arms, but are easier to do than the standard push up.

Stand arms length or so away from the wall. Lean into it and push yourself back. Repeat.
Since you're standing, you won't struggle holding up as much of your weight as you would with regular push ups.
(This is what I used to do and I noticed the muscle I developed doing it)

There's also "box" push ups. Put your knees on the floor, same distance as your shoulders, lean down and push yourself up. Again cause you're on your knees and not your toes you won't struggle holding up your weight.
(I though can't do box push ups, I tend to just pull myself up with my body, not push with my arms)

Do these until you become stronger and you can try the regular push up.

gpstrucker · November 2012

Get some tension bands and start working with those, focusing on your triceps and chest.

schondell · November 2012

I'n 5'8 and 120

I also find it difficult to do push ups, I feel like my arms are really long and lanky and I'm very far from the floor and it's a long way down. I guess I'll just have to practice, haven't been able to do a SINGLE proper pushup (not even "lady" pushups) in my whole life.

Heather1899 · November 2012

I've tried several times to do standard push-ups-ones not on my knees
While doing Chalean Extreme I realized I can do a few with good form!! Ok maybe only 6...but I am getting there!!
The only difference I can think of is that I started roller skating. I think working your core really helps

cgarand · November 2012

I couldn't do push-ups either a few months ago, and I started a weight training program that included push-ups and was so tempted to skip them. But, I decided to modify them and just do as many as I could. That first week I maybe did 3-4 at a time on my knees and it was so hard! I made myself do three reps. The next week I was amazed at how much easier they were. I still modified them but could do 6-10 with effort. Each week it got easier. Now I do some modified, some not modified. I just do the best I can and work until fatigue. I am getting stronger every week. Keep trying, you may surprise yourself.