Cipriana Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 I wanted to start getting back into shape by following the Beginner's Bodyweight routine, but I can't do pushups. I can't even do pushups on my knees. Are wall pushups the way to go? Or would my time be better served doing chest presses? Quote www.weekendofgames.com Link to comment
Knightwatch Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Wall pushups are a good start. Here's a video on how they can progress along. Quote "The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder." --GK Chesterton Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo et sanabitur anima mea... http://www.facebook.com/#!/jbaileysewell Link to comment
Hrunter Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 The more the incline, the easier the push up A vertical wall is a great place to start. If you need to up the difficulty, find something that will let you 'tilt' a little more, like the edge of a counter or table. Quote Link to comment
Oogiem Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 I wanted to start getting back into shape by following the Beginner's Bodyweight routine, but I can't do pushups. I can't even do pushups on my knees. Are wall pushups the way to go? Or would my time be better served doing chest presses? I started doing pushups agains the fences, so a vertical surface. Then to the kitchen counter, then the bread making counter and now the couch arm. Each time I am going a bit lower and I stay there until I can do the number of reps I set for myself consistently. At this rate it's probably going to be next year before I can manage a real pushup but I am progressing. Just start and do some, it's not that bad and I find pushups the hardest thing I try to do. :smile: Quote Oogie McGuire Black Sheep Shepherdess STR 4.25 | DEX 4.5 | STA 3.75 | CON 3 | WIS 4.75 | CHA 1 Link to comment
Natalie Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 I started doing pushups again my bathroom sink, but a wall is probably the best place to start if you're struggling a lot. Quote "Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision." - Ayn Rand welcome to real life | bitch be cool Link to comment
Foolishnostalgia Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Do them everyday. Any chance you get, on fences, walls, sinks, counters, friends, pets, whatever. Just one or ten. Everyday. per hour. Quote My GOMAD Log - Complete! Current challenge - Strength Squad Link to comment
Cipriana Posted September 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Do them everyday. Any chance you get, on fences, walls, sinks, counters, friends, pets, whatever. Just one or ten. Everyday. per hour./pictures herself doing pushups against her cat Quote www.weekendofgames.com Link to comment
Cipriana Posted September 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Thanks for the advice guys. I did pushups against a wall last night as part of the Beginners Bodyweight workout. My shoulders are sore, but not as sore as my legs. Holy CRAP. Those lunges kicked my BUTT. The fitness clubhouse in my apartment complex has a few benches that I can use as I progress to being able to do a real pushup. Quote www.weekendofgames.com Link to comment
Oogiem Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Those lunges kicked my BUTT. I had to stop doing lunges at all per doctor orders due to issues with my hips. Working on other options to work the same sets of muscles. Quote Oogie McGuire Black Sheep Shepherdess STR 4.25 | DEX 4.5 | STA 3.75 | CON 3 | WIS 4.75 | CHA 1 Link to comment
Hermione Gainser Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 The more the incline, the easier the push up A vertical wall is a great place to start. If you need to up the difficulty, find something that will let you 'tilt' a little more, like the edge of a counter or table. ^My understanding of it. I think it's odd in the video that he puts knee pushups before incline push ups. Shouldn't they directly before actual pushups or could it be better to do incline then regular? Quote "I'm just going to remember to not eat like an asshole most of the time" - MoC three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: one must squat.- Brobert Frost Half-Elf Warrior | Current Challenge New Battle Log | Old Battle Log Special thanks to AkLulu for drawing my awesome avatar! Link to comment
Alethea Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Laura, my theory is that incline pushups with straight legs teaches you proper plank form before you progress to ground pushups. Knee pushups dont' quite hit your core in the same way, because your body isn't such a long line (less leverage). So while incline pushups at a small slope might be easier on your chest than knee pushups, it'll be more difficult for your body as a whole. Quote "Let another say. 'Perhaps the worst will not happen.' You yourself must say. 'Well, what if it does happen? Let us see who wins!' ". - Seneca, 63 AD "There is no better way to fight weakness than with strength." - Henry Rollins Link to comment
Loren Wade Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 If you're into bodyweight routines... I still highly suggest looking into a book called Convict Conditioning. It has bodyweight progressions for all of the major muscle groups! And agreed with Knight Watch, wall push-ups are a great start. After you can do say 3 sets of 50 of these... you can move to doing it angled against a table. Then on your knees. Then normal. Etc. Quote lobro's a druid? twitter | fb Link to comment
Hermione Gainser Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Laura, my theory is that incline pushups with straight legs teaches you proper plank form before you progress to ground pushups. Knee pushups dont' quite hit your core in the same way, because your body isn't such a long line (less leverage). So while incline pushups at a small slope might be easier on your chest than knee pushups, it'll be more difficult for your body as a whole. Ah... good call, good call. I find my core strength is good (thank you, yoga) but my chest/shoulder/arm strength has been in need of improvement. That explains a great deal. Thanks for the insight!! @Cipriana, awesome! Though, if that's your cat in your avatar I might suggest not using your pet Looks like that kitty is ready to take someone down! Quote "I'm just going to remember to not eat like an asshole most of the time" - MoC three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: one must squat.- Brobert Frost Half-Elf Warrior | Current Challenge New Battle Log | Old Battle Log Special thanks to AkLulu for drawing my awesome avatar! Link to comment
Cipriana Posted September 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 No, this is my cat: He's a jerk, but I love him. Quote www.weekendofgames.com Link to comment
Hermione Gainser Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Okay, it's about to get all girly squee in here... fair warning to you all! OHHHHHHHH! LITTLE KITTY FACE! I love it! He's super cute (and, if you can't tell I do adore the meow faces. I have 2 of my own). Quote "I'm just going to remember to not eat like an asshole most of the time" - MoC three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: one must squat.- Brobert Frost Half-Elf Warrior | Current Challenge New Battle Log | Old Battle Log Special thanks to AkLulu for drawing my awesome avatar! Link to comment
67alecto Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Walls and counters are typical starting points. A staircase is also good - you can measure your progress by how many stairs you need to be up to complete your sets. As you get stronger, you can go lower. Quote Repairing a lifetime of bad habits... Link to comment
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