Why can't I do push ups?
Kdp2015
Posts: 519 Member
So I've looked up good form etc online but still can't physically push myself down in a push up its like my arms are locked in place and won't budge - what am I doing wrong??
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So you are starting from the top "plank" position and can not descend to the bottom?0
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Can you do wall push-ups? Basically standing at the wall, putting your hands on the wall, and doing a push-up motion?0
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You should get in the push up position while on your knees first.. Put something down on the ground where you want your hands to go so that your even. The closer together the eaiser it will be for you. Just breath in going down and then exhale on your way up. Keeping your body stiff and just bending your arms.0
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quiksylver296 wrote: »Can you do wall push-ups? Basically standing at the wall, putting your hands on the wall, and doing a push-up motion?
Yep but it's hard work on my shoulders0 -
You should get in the push up position while on your knees first.. Put something down on the ground where you want your hands to go so that your even. The closer together the eaiser it will be for you. Just breath in going down and then exhale on your way up. Keeping your body stiff and just bending your arms.
I can do that, still hurts my shoulders though - maybe I'm just really weak?!!0 -
IMO it is a matter of strength. You have to progress to a regular pushup. D_nada is right. Start on your knees and see if that helps...0
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quiksylver296 wrote: »Can you do wall push-ups? Basically standing at the wall, putting your hands on the wall, and doing a push-up motion?
Yep but it's hard work on my shoulders
You feel pain in your shoulders when trying of a wall?0 -
Thanks for the replies everyone
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Between my shoulders feels tight/sore when my elbows are outquiksylver296 wrote: »Can you do wall push-ups? Basically standing at the wall, putting your hands on the wall, and doing a push-up motion?
Yep but it's hard work on my shoulders
You feel pain in your shoulders when trying of a wall?
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Don't train them from your knees, use something under your hands so that your plank is on an incline. Start high if you really can't do them, like kitchen counter, and just learn to do the movements with your body held in the right position, then move to a lower incline until you are doing them on the ground. Keep your elbows tight to your body.
This is a good video on progressing to full pushups.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4dF1DOWzf20
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If it's causing pain with your "elbows out" try keeping them closer to your side. It isn't exactly the same muscle group but it won't really matter that much. It allows you a bit more "bounce" when doing multiples as you get better at it. That was always the military trick to knocking them out as quickly as possible.0
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Don't train them from your knees, use something under your hands so that your plank is on an incline. Start high if you really can't do them, like kitchen counter, and just learn to do the movements with your body held in the right position, then move to a lower incline until you are doing them on the ground. Keep your elbows tight to your body.
This is a good video on progressing to full pushups.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4dF1DOWzf20
this. holding the plank is as important as the actual push up.
Hands under your armpits and elbows tight to your ribs.
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Thank you that helped, now I just need him in the room with me...Don't train them from your knees, use something under your hands so that your plank is on an incline. Start high if you really can't do them, like kitchen counter, and just learn to do the movements with your body held in the right position, then move to a lower incline until you are doing them on the ground. Keep your elbows tight to your body.
This is a good video on progressing to full pushups.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4dF1DOWzf20
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I have the same problem! I can do pushups on my knees just fine, but I can't seem to do them on my toes.0
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jtolman619 wrote: »I have the same problem! I can do pushups on my knees just fine, but I can't seem to do them on my toes.
You're a step ahead of me then! 0 -
Most females try to push from the shoulders rather than from the chest. Hand placement matters here and usually the hands are too far forward, which is why the shoulders are taking the brunt of the exercise. When doing a push up, the hands should be in line with your chest and not your shoulders.
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Between my shoulders feels tight/sore when my elbows are outquiksylver296 wrote: »Can you do wall push-ups? Basically standing at the wall, putting your hands on the wall, and doing a push-up motion?
Yep but it's hard work on my shoulders
You feel pain in your shoulders when trying of a wall?
Well, your elbows shouldn't be flared out for a proper push-up, so there's one issue. Keep your elbows closer to your body when you do it. Not against your body (that's a tricep push-up), but like this:
My guess it's a matter of strength - you're not strong enough to push your body weight off the floor. You can start with wall push-ups, then do them on the floor off of your knees, and then progress to a full push-up.
A push-up is mainly a chest movement. Focus less on your shoulders and more on your pectoral muscles. That "mind-muscle connection" and all that.0 -
Thanks everyone0
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Well that's because the range of motion is shorter. Kind of like doing a squat with a wide stance. The further away from your body your hands are, the less you have to go down._lyndseybrooke_ wrote: »Well, your elbows shouldn't be flared out for a proper push-up, so there's one issue. Keep your elbows closer to your body when you do it. Not against your body (that's a tricep push-up), but like this:
It's hard to change when you get used to a certain form, I have a hard time tucking my elbows, and I have long arms. I end up doing wide-arm pushups for the comfort. I still keep back straight and clear 90 degrees, but I couldn't do as many with my hands and elbows closer together.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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I have long arms too...0
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I have long arms too...
I have a wingspan equal to my height, so pretty long arms and body too. Yes people built short n squatty have some natural advantage on pushups but they are good for you and tall guys do them, models, it's possible, you can do it! You aren't competing with someone else.
Truthfully, I learned to do these in yoga. That vinyasa sun salutation thing, over and over lowering body in the same manner as a tricep pushup and flowing forward from there. I'm working on getting better at the UP part of pushups now, using that incline method and also just doing one or two in yoga class.
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YEPquiksylver296 wrote: »Can you do wall push-ups? Basically standing at the wall, putting your hands on the wall, and doing a push-up motion?
Don't worry about starting out with a less challenging routine if that's where you are in your fitness journey.
The key is to begin.
A year from now you'll be knocking out push-ups like Randy Couture.
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When you do your pushup keep your elbows back. Visualize them scraping the sides of your body. Flaring your elbows out puts your rotator cuff in a bad position...
Between my shoulders feels tight/sore when my elbows are outquiksylver296 wrote: »Can you do wall push-ups? Basically standing at the wall, putting your hands on the wall, and doing a push-up motion?
Yep but it's hard work on my shoulders
You feel pain in your shoulders when trying of a wall?0 -
IMO, training pushups of a wall is not the best choice. It is very hard to keep the elbows back that way. What you wind up doing is flaring your elbows out so your face does not collide with the wall. For an incline, train pushups of a kitchen counter, or any elevated area.0
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IMO, training pushups of a wall is not the best choice. It is very hard to keep the elbows back that way. What you wind up doing is flaring your elbows out so your face does not collide with the wall. For an incline, train pushups of a kitchen counter, or any elevated area.
I agree with this. If you can't do them all the way down with your elbows in, then start at an incline, such as hands on a set of stairs, table edge, etc. work your way lower to the ground.0 -
Very enlightening post! Thank you. I started a 31 day core challenge yesterday and I could not do 1 regular push up. I was able to do the 5 from my knees, but I'm still sure I wasn't in correct form.0
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