Push ups

F1uffy123

So I did an army fit camp class today just to throw my body out of sorts from my usual work out and I am awful at push-ups!!!

I struggle with 1!!

Lower half of my body is strong but upper is shocking.

So I thought I would start doing a few a day and increase gradually.

Any advice? Should I start with full on push up or incline /bent knee ones?

skinnyinnotime

If you can do a proper push up, start with those, even if you can only do one initially, you'll soon build up to more.

Yogi_Carl

I started a few months ago only being able to do single push-ups at a time, now I can do 5 x 10 push-ups and I am looking at moving up to close hand push-ups to keep the intensity up in the strength range again.

I used pyramid sets to get my reps going - started with 5 x 1, then eventually 1, 2, 3, 2, 1 and so on until I was doing 8,9,10,9,8 then 9, 10, 10, 9, 8 until I got to 5 x 10.

Once you get a good number of sets and reps like this, it is time to increase the intensity of the exercise. I love calisthenics so I would find a harder exercise but the other approach would be to add weight resistance if you want to go down the weights route, but you don't have to.

Hope this helps.

F1uffy123

Thanks both.

I've just downloaded a free app that plans out the different reps that you just mentioned (pyramid form) and I think this will be a good approach for me.

janeite1990

Do normal ones until you max out (even if that is just 1) and then do "girl" ones (knees) until you max out.

Try doing planks throughout the day. Time yourself and try to go 1-5 seconds longer each day. I do mine on my forearms, not straightarmed. These are easy to sneak in. I like to do them in my office with the door closed, of course.

If you have access to weights, do bench presses.

MinimalistShoeAddict

I definitely recommend using proper form from the beginning if you are able. Even if proper form reduces your number of maximum reps, your results will benefit in the long run. Just keep practicing and don't forget to take rest days!

Good luck!

Yogi_Carl

Definitely proper form and I also supplemented my push-ups with Pike Push-ups which strengthens the shoulders and triceps directly and chair dips. Both of these helped me gain push-up strength from different angles.