We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Push Up Substitute

Nightterror218
Nightterror218 Posts: 375 Member
edited January 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I am wondering if there is a good substitute for pushups. I have 2 issues, 1 is kills my wrist, and 2 kills my shoulder. My shoulder pops every time I do a pushup. I have fixed the wrist pain with push up bars. I have not had issues with any other workout just push ups. Tweaked my shoulder about 4 years ago. but certain things bug it. Push ups are one.

Wondering if there is a simple substitute? I have no problems with bench pressing.

Replies

  • FabMrFox
    FabMrFox Posts: 259 Member
    Try the push up by tucking your elbows close to your side this will take stress off the shoulder. <-- also more of a tri workout so adjust your program accordingly
  • VinnyI82
    VinnyI82 Posts: 19 Member
    We used to do these weird push ups in the Army where you just lay down on your stomach and did push ups that way. t was so long ago I forgot what we called them.

    This way you aren't putting a substantial amount of weight on your joints. I may be wrong but a normal push up uses only ~50-60% of your body weight (I may be wrong) where-as the one lying prone will use far less weight.
  • KittyViolet
    KittyViolet Posts: 220 Member
    Hmmm maybe inverted rows? Like a bench press, but instead of pushing a bar over you, you pull yourself up to touch it with your chest.
  • Nightterror218
    Nightterror218 Posts: 375 Member
    Try the push up by tucking your elbows close to your side this will take stress off the shoulder. <-- also more of a tri workout so adjust your program accordingly

    Thanks I will have to try this one to see if it works. I want to be able to do more at home.
  • VinnyI82
    VinnyI82 Posts: 19 Member
    Inverted row is a back exercise kitty. mainly rear delts and lats, anything in the upper back area.
  • Cassierocksalot
    Cassierocksalot Posts: 266 Member
    We used to do these weird push ups in the Army where you just lay down on your stomach and did push ups that way. t was so long ago I forgot what we called them.

    This way you aren't putting a substantial amount of weight on your joints. I may be wrong but a normal push up uses only ~50-60% of your body weight (I may be wrong) where-as the one lying prone will use far less weight.

    Do you mean going all the way to the floor and then rising back up? My trainer calls those "hand releases".
  • VinnyI82
    VinnyI82 Posts: 19 Member
    No Cassie, we were literally laying down. The "push-ups" only were from the stomach up. From the waist to feet were prone on the ground.

    ~edit~ Cassie they're called prone push-ups. They also help work out the lower back.

    Alternatively, OP, you could do something like this where there is far less stress on joints:

    http://danblewett.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/CIMG1572.jpg

    Best picture I could find.
  • jaweiss1
    jaweiss1 Posts: 71 Member
    I am wondering if there is a good substitute for pushups. I have 2 issues, 1 is kills my wrist, and 2 kills my shoulder. My shoulder pops every time I do a pushup. I have fixed the wrist pain with push up bars. I have not had issues with any other workout just push ups. Tweaked my shoulder about 4 years ago. but certain things bug it. Push ups are one.

    Wondering if there is a simple substitute? I have no problems with bench pressing.
    Put a rolled towel under your chest to reduce the range by 3-4". That may take care of the shoulder pain that you are having while doing pushups - works for my shoulder, I have a rotator cuff injury.

    Or just bench press instead.
This discussion has been closed.