Push ups

carlammiranda28
carlammiranda28 Posts: 6 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Good morning everyone:

I just start P90X3 is a hard workout and I'm a newbie in push ups. Can someone give some advise how I can get stronger arms or better way for beginners? Thanks in advance

Replies

  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    the best way to improve at push-ups is to do more push-ups - start small - i know P90X typically has a set nmber of reps, but do what you can do (maybe its only 5 for now) then slowly build over time.

    Personally, i'm not a fan of doing variations because from experience they teach folks poor habits that don't translate well to full body push-ups (based on 15 years military experience - i can tell you the folks who learnt to do push-ups on their knees vs. just doing normal ones)
  • StargazerB
    StargazerB Posts: 425 Member
    I would do incline pushups, maybe starting at kitchen counter height and slowly lower the height until your are at the floor. You can use the kitchen counter, a table top, a bench or chair, the bath tub, ect. When you can do 3 sets of 10 at a specific height then progress.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    I agree that incline pushups are the way to go. I'm surprised P90X doesn't explain that. If you can't find a lower surface to make them harder, you can get the same effect by raising your feet up onto something, like books or bricks.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,477 Spam Moderator
    Also, DON'T put your hands out too wide. A lot of people do and this can put a lot of strain on the shoulder if you're not used to doing push ups. Just outside of shoulder width should do it.


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  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,816 Member
    edited April 2020
    I have always marveled at how hard push-ups are (also pull-ups). I understand that they are particularly hard for the female frame.

    @StargazerB and @Cherimoose are both right on about inclines. You can do them with your hands on an ottoman, chair, step, or bench and your feet on the floor. The higher you are, the easier they are. Over time, you can go lower. (You can also buy a riser that provides this, but save your money!) Good stuff!

    Alternatively, you can do them with your knees on the ground or your legs on your ottoman. Finally, if you have dumbells, you can work your various chest muscles while lying on the ground, ottoman, or bench. (A simple bench is very helpful for weight lifting!)

    I'm trying to work myself back up to 50 in a go. Not quite there! Best of luck to you!
  • MikePfirrman
    MikePfirrman Posts: 3,307 Member
    edited April 2020
    I use stairs all the time for declines, but they'd be great for inclines too. Kitchen counters too would work. Just start, though, from your knees if on the floor and do what you can.

    It takes a while to build up the strength to rattle off 10 or 20 or more. I'm not particularly strong at 55, but I do 120 plus of them (in sets of 20 or 25) three times a week just to maintain strength.
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