Stupid Push Ups.

spatzcat_11 · Thu, September 3rd, 2009, 03:12 PM

I've been doing weights for over 4 months...and STILL can not do a push up with out doing it 'girl style'.

Granted I've seen some improvements, when I started I could only do about 6, and only 1 set....

I can do 3 sets of 10 now, (hard to do though!) but still can't do 1 normal one.

what can I do to improve this?

Flex · Thu, September 3rd, 2009, 03:29 PM

Do you bench press?

spatzcat_11 · Thu, September 3rd, 2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flex

Do you bench press?

not anymore...i am doing the 6 months of routines from the book 'the new weightlifting for women'.... and they seem to be a anti bench press. I didn't really get that, but they claim i can lift like a man and look like a goddess, so I thought whatever then!

They had some long explanation about why push ups are preferred over bench press, but I am guessing by your question, that I should do some bench press and that will improve my push up ability?

dejavued · Thu, September 3rd, 2009, 04:09 PM

when you try to do one what happens??

JoeSchmo · Thu, September 3rd, 2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spatzcat_11

They had some long explanation about why push ups are preferred over bench press, but I am guessing by your question, that I should do some bench press and that will improve my push up ability?

Bench press (either barbell or with DB) could help your ability to do pushups, as they both hit similar muscle groups. Just make sure you use a weight that you find challenging.

You've already made significant improvements on your pushup ability ... Just keep working at it and you'll eventually be able to do full pushups.

spatzcat_11 · Thu, September 3rd, 2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dejavued

when you try to do one what happens??

I can go up fine, that's easy, hahahha. But on the way down, I am just to weak to sustain it. I can get about 1/2 way down now, and then I give out and fall. I can't really pinpoint where I am weak, but I think my chest is weaker than my arms.

George · Thu, September 3rd, 2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spatzcat_11

I can go up fine, that's easy, hahahha. But on the way down, I am just to weak to sustain it. I can get about 1/2 way down now, and then I give out and fall. I can't really pinpoint where I am weak, but I think my chest is weaker than my arms.

The going up part should be the hard part, so this is a little unusual.
Are you doing anything different when going down? Maybe flaring out your elbows or something?
When you say that you're too weak to sustain it, what part of you fails?

dejavued · Thu, September 3rd, 2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George

The going up part should be the hard part, so this is a little unusual.
Are you doing anything different when going down? Maybe flaring out your elbows or something?
When you say that you're too weak to sustain it, what part of you fails?

yeah.... definitely not typical.

i figured something was a bit fishy if she could handle 3 sets of 10 girlie style but not a single one normal style. some kind of form issue. especially being as she's so light.

Carole · Thu, September 3rd, 2009, 06:53 PM

……….nothing amiss………just keep plugging along and (were I you) despite what the ‘book’ says I would incorporate bench presses………DB, BB what ever and like Joe suggested make it hurt (just a little)…Us long ‘stringy’ types have to be a bit more patient, (where ‘gains’ are concerned) than others sometime……………

Not to worry though, it happens..................

spatzcat_11 · Fri, September 4th, 2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George

The going up part should be the hard part, so this is a little unusual.
Are you doing anything different when going down? Maybe flaring out your elbows or something?
When you say that you're too weak to sustain it, what part of you fails?

I am going to try one tonight, and try to see where exactly I am failing...I do flare a little on the elbows, I will update with a more accurate description, but from what I recall, it just feels like I am 10,000 pounds, arms, triceps, chest, all failing me to go down smoothly, but going up is easier, can feel it, I need to push, but I can do it.

Is flaring your elbows bad?

I'm pretty special.

dejavued · Fri, September 4th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spatzcat_11

I'm pretty special.

vertigo88 · Fri, September 4th, 2009, 12:07 PM

How far apart are you hands in relation to your shoulders? Wider apart should in theory be easier.

phillydude · Fri, September 4th, 2009, 12:38 PM

I was going to suggest negatives (working on lowering rather than focusing on pushing up) but now I'm also confused. As Guava pointed out, it's usually easier to have gravity on your side.

You could also try incline pushups to make it easier at this point. One other thing to remember is that in a regular pushup, the whole body should be moving as a straight line... ideally your nose, chest, and hips will all hit the ground (or close to it) at the same time, and stay "locked in" on the way up. If you are weak in the lower back and abs, try doing planks to work on maintaining that form.

zenpharaohs · Fri, September 4th, 2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dejavued

yeah.... definitely not typical.

i figured something was a bit fishy if she could handle 3 sets of 10 girlie style but not a single one normal style. some kind of form issue. especially being as she's so light.

Check core strength. How long can she hold a planche?

spatzcat_11 · Mon, September 7th, 2009, 09:56 PM

HA-HA!!! i did 3!!! booya! i did it!

I just started to doing planks and prone cobra about 3 weeks ago, and I think that some of these things are paying off, i can hold a plank for 90 seconds, when I started it was hard to hold for 30....

so, i am knowing now that this will improve over time, and it won't be long before I can do a set of 10.

$%#@%#$ ya!

eccent · Tue, November 3rd, 2009, 11:37 AM

I'm having the same problem! And I do have weak "core" so I guess I gotta strengthen it up too.

Just wondering how often must I do the prank pose to improve my core?

Fitness Crush · Thu, November 5th, 2009, 03:28 PM

Push ups use more than just your pectoral muscles and they can be challenging for us girls.

Try this: start out in the up position, elbows locked and legs straight. DO NOT go all the way down...start out by going only half way and then back up. Aim for two to three sets of 8. When you can do these easily, go 1/4 of the way further (down) and again aim for two to three sets of eight.

When that comes easily, you should be able to go all the way down and back up and work your way up to three sets of eight "real" push ups. After that, for more of a challenge, start doing them on your knuckles. This was how we did them in Tae Kwon Do and I worked up to nearly 75 on my knuckles...the last 20 or so were laughable I'm sure, but I was still moving. (^_^)

eccent · Sat, November 7th, 2009, 09:05 AM

Thank you Fitness Crush for your advice.

I just tried "push up" with my legs on the sofa and I can actually perform the up and down movements. However once my whole body is stretch out on the floor, I'm again having the difficulty in getting down, seems like my elbows are not obeying (they want to stay locked).

I'll just keep on trying until I get it right then. Practise and patience are da key.