Push ups

I was in the Army so I've done more push-ups than one person should ever do in a lifetime (or two lol). The only way to get stronger doing pushups is to do more pushups. Do them everyday. Make yourself do as many knee pushups as you can 3 - 4 times spread out through the day. Then keep testing yourself to try and do some real ones.

I literally could not do ONE complete pushup the day I got to boot camp. But when I finished boot camp I could do about 50 without stopping... that's 50 'real' on your toes, back 100% straight, genuine Army pushups. Granted I was doing pushups ALL THE TIME. Literally ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. We never had a "rest" day. So, as long as you're not feeling real pain (as opposed to the expected muscle building achy pain) then I say go crazy with the pushups.

There is also a free online program that helps you increase your pushups... it's called hundredpushups.com and it's a 6 week program... I've heard lots of good things about it. Check it out and good luck!

Work on doing planks with your arms extended and planks on your elbows as well. I also like to have clients do an incline push-up starting on the wall, then maybe a rail, then a bench. You could perform the planks in this fashion also.

Make sure you are working on strength (10-12 rep max) with bench press using dumbbells or barbells. You can also incorporate physioball push-ups. The closer the ball is to your feet, the harder the exercise is. Most importantly, make sure you maintain perfect form doing an exercise. Make sure your back doesn't sag when doing planks and push-ups. Pull your abs in as tight as you can. Also, place your hands underneath your shoulders. When you do a push-up come down to a full 90 degree angle no matter what type of push-up you do. If you can't do a full 90 degree angle, do an easier version.

Progression is key to mastering a perfect push-up!

1. Incline-wall, rail, bench, floor
2. Modified on knees
3. Physioball-ball on hips, thighs, knees, calves, ankles
4. Full plank push-ups
5. decline push ups

I also read to do them on stairs progressively.

I NEED to be able to do a "real" push up for a job. I did 30 days of P90 and now started on ChaLEAN Extreme. I can now do about a half of one on my toes and then have to go to my knees.
I am just wondering if anyone has any advice. I Think the Chalean Extreme program will help me build strength but I could use some tips if anyone has them! I think part of my problem is my ABS aren't very strong. I wi ll keep working on strengthing them as well.

First of all, great job w/ the 30 days of P90 and I love ChaLean!!

P90X is the program that really got me kicking butt with pushups. Although I have to disagree with some of the above posters. I do think you should do them on your toes, but I would do as MANY as you can on your toes, and then drop to your knees and do as many as you can to failure (til you can not push up ONE more time). Do that 2-3 times a day.

Now I easily do at least 30 pushups every day. That is my minimum. You can also try varying your hand positions- wider, closer, decline (feet on stairs or couch), etc.

Good luck!! Also, focus on your core!!

:huh: