Can't do a single press-up/push-up!

sozzell
sozzell Posts: 166
edited 1:00AM in Fitness and Exercise
Hey guys,

So I have recently started the BodyRock Day Challenge, and it involves a lot of push-up/press-up type strengthening exercises, but something I have realised is I can't do a single one!

This is puzzling to me because I have been lifting weights for a good few months at the gym, and I do manage fine with the other arm strength exercises in the challenge, I just cannot seem to manage my own weight when doing a press-up/push-up... :-(

Does anyone have any tips/suggestions? I have looked at youtube videos but when I attempt it myself I fall fat on my face haha!

I can just about manage a box press-up (where you rest your weight on your knees?),,,

Thanks in advance..

Replies

  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    do box press ups until you're stronger.
  • jaharrison763
    jaharrison763 Posts: 99 Member
    Yeah, I hate push ups. :noway: I'm now able to do 10 on my knees on a good day, but I had to start doing them against a wall, then a counter top, and gradually worked my way down to the floor. I could probably do 1 or 2 straight leg ones, but I haven't tried yet. I probably should give it a go. :ohwell:
  • squirrleydoodle
    squirrleydoodle Posts: 58 Member
    have you tried doing push up the "girly" way until you're stronger? i did that for a while bc i couldnt do push up properly and it helped alot! now i can do regulr push up (not alot but at least a handful in a row lol)
  • PAZlady
    PAZlady Posts: 59 Member
    Start slowly and do push ups on a bench (hands up on bench and toes straight behind like a real push up). There is also a website called 100 pushups that gives you a guide to start slowly and build up to doing 100 pushups. You can do either on your knees or a regular push up. Good luck!!
  • Spanaval
    Spanaval Posts: 1,200 Member
    Negative push-ups, if doing girly push-ups isn't helping sufficiently. I can't do a single chin-up/pull-up, so I'll be working towards it by incorporating negatives.
  • GameBoiye
    GameBoiye Posts: 15 Member
    Doing push-ups from your knees definitely helps. I also could not do push-ups at first, and could barely do push-ups from my knees.

    About 6 months ago I could only do about 5 knee push-ups, now I normally do about 100 a day. I can do about 5-10 regular push-ups, but after talking to my trainer it's still best to keep doing knee push-ups until I can do more reps of regular push-ups.

    Just make sure you get down the form correctly. Hand position is identical to regular push-ups, the only difference is you put your knees together on the ground. Cross your legs and keep them as close to your butt as possible. Also make sure you do this on an exercise mat or wear knee-pads so you aren't doing damage to your knees.
  • TurningBackTheHandsOfTime
    TurningBackTheHandsOfTime Posts: 47 Member
    Give it time, if you rush it you could injure yourself, patience is usually all it takes to conquer some obstacles. Good luck!
  • mnichols007
    mnichols007 Posts: 7 Member
    I have no advice.. but I wanted to thank everyone for the comments. I have been attempting to do girly pushups but my knees were always hurting so bad.... never thought of knee pads! Thanks
  • 916lude
    916lude Posts: 305
    Start with pushups using a wall
    Then use a kitchen counter
    Then use a coffee table
    Then do them with hands on the ground..
    Then put your feet on a coffee table
    Then feet on a kitchen counter
    Then do them in a handstand against a wall
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    Opening your legs if you want to do them on your feet helps too :) but doing from the knee's and keeping your core 'locked' will help. .increase the number then go for short reps from your feet. :)
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    Start with pushups using a wall
    Then use a kitchen counter
    Then use a coffee table
    Then do them with hands on the ground..
    Then put your feet on a coffee table
    Then feet on a kitchen counter
    Then do them in a handstand against a wall

    Love this! lol I'm at point 4 so may just try point 5.. :p
  • recoiljpr
    recoiljpr Posts: 292
    Try modifying your pushups. See the link below, it's Tony Horton showing how to modify a pushup to get you started. His modification makes a big difference and are a good way to get started.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NFVD7-2dx0
  • shiiallah
    shiiallah Posts: 3
    http://www.fitness666.com/2012/06/push-up-progression.html

    I've found this gentleman's suggestion of a progression to work really well. I've been lifting weights (barbells!) for a few months as well but struggle to do more than 5 half-ish push ups. Still can't do a pull-up either, and he has a suggested progression for it as well. Just realize that it takes time to make changes, and enjoy the ride. :)
  • tizzie_14
    tizzie_14 Posts: 72
    Start on your knees. The more you do them the better you'll get. I couldn't do a standard push up (although I could do them on my knees) when I started P90x but after 3 weeks I could do a few. Make sure your form is good. Keep your butt down!
  • Allison22451
    Allison22451 Posts: 686 Member
    I can't do one either.

    I think it goes back to a very smple principle: practice makes perfect.

    :)
  • avir8
    avir8 Posts: 671 Member
    Hey!! I also do BR, and I remember the days of starting out and struggling to maintain form and still trying to do the exercises. Those people are crazy, I love it, been doing it for almost a year off and on. Sad to say no six pack yet haha but know my numbers of push ups, burpees and whatever move is UP. Keep it up, there are days when I still can't do the move correctly (try searching Ninja jump tucks) and days when my whole body is dripping with sweat but you will improve, plus isn't the point to be challenged to do better next time? Also sent Friend request it's awesome seeing other Bodyrockers on here :)
  • ishtar13
    ishtar13 Posts: 528 Member
    Start with pushups using a wall
    Then use a kitchen counter
    Then use a coffee table
    Then do them with hands on the ground..

    This, or use a chair against a wall instead of a coffee table for more stability.
  • redcat17
    redcat17 Posts: 267 Member
    I could never do them until my trainer started making me do plank to starting push up stance and back to plank. Magically, after I mastered those I could do full push ups. Try starting with planks and holding them for 30-45 seconds and see if that improves your push up attempts.
  • thomakg
    thomakg Posts: 69 Member
    I agree with the plank - my teen daughter has the most flexible back and no core strength - she is working on the plank first to build strength so that she will be able to do push-ups properly...
  • Songtothesiren
    Songtothesiren Posts: 388 Member
    Hi. I started doing push-ups last week ... by push-ups I mean I was lying face down on the lounge carpet unable to do anything! My girlfriends suggested I try box press ups ("lady press-ups"). Amazingly things are moving on really quickly and my daily total of box press-ups gets higher each day AND I can now manage a couple of proper pressup's every day.

    Hope this helps.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    Try one of those big exercise balls. You can scoot the ball up as high as you need to to support your weight and gradually move farther over the ball as your arms get strong enough to support more weight. Exercise balls are good for lots of things and easy to work with as you are watching TV.
  • sozzell
    sozzell Posts: 166
    Hi everyone!

    Thanks so much for all of your helpful replies with tips and suggestions :-)

    I don't feel so bad now!! I will definitely persevere, and keep trying to get better!

    Oh and thanks to the follow BodyRocker's reply: It is such a tough workout but I am loving it!!
  • Arexxx
    Arexxx Posts: 486 Member
    Do box push ups for a while, then try a 'proper' push up.

    I can only manage the box ones D:
  • allisonrozsa
    allisonrozsa Posts: 178 Member
    I don't know the official name, but doing the girly pushups is a good way to start (the ones on your knees). Those cut out about half of your weight, and when you get strong enough to do a bunch of those, you can then move up to regular pushups.
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    Start off with table or incline push-ups where you put your palms onto the table or staircase at least 3 steps from the floor. Then position yourself like you would in a regular push-up. Do like 5 reps then increase it slowly. Then as you get stronger, you then progess by using a chair, lower table or reducing one step on the stairs. Continue progessing until you can do it on the floor.
  • FitasBarbie
    FitasBarbie Posts: 141 Member
    I feel yah I can't do regular push ups too.. I do the knee "girls" push ups instead. They have videos of how to do this in YouTube. Im working my way to doing a regular push up. I have no problems too with other strength exercises just push ups... Good luck :smile:
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