My first push up

whathapnd wrote: »

Congratulations on the push-up!! That's a wonderful accomplishment. Can you share how you progressed (e.g. started with wall push-ups, counter push-ups stair push-ups, etc.) And roughly how long you spent at each phase?

Thank you the great video @KHMcG

So when I started wall push ups were too easy. I tried push ups on the plyo box at the gym which was at roughly hip height. I didn't get on so well with that wrist-wise and found it much easier to use the Smith machine to do incline push ups, starting at about waist height for volume. When I could do three sets of 8 at a particular height I would lower the bar. I also did knee push ups.

I also did band assisted push ups with a band either slung over the bar of the Smith machine or stretched between the squat rack safety bars. I used the strongest resistance band and reduced when I could do 3 sets of 8.

I did a lot of very slow eccentrics plus knee push ups with close grip.

I did a lot of pec and tricep work (plus work on core and back).

The closer I got, the longer each stage took. During our last 4 week lockdown I had been sticking at the same point for about 2 months. My PT made me a tough program to do during lockdown. The sticking point remained the same. I was tantalisingly close. Could get all the way down and back up about 3 inches but no further. This state of affairs prevailed as recently as Monday.

Today was the first day back in the gym after lockdown and it happened!