Push-ups, Palms or Fist?

Question

I used to only do pushups on my fist, thumb facing north from my body. I have noticed that I can do many more push-ups if I do them the old way with my palms on the floor.

Which is better though? Less reps of the harder fist pushups or More reps of the standard pushups?

Answer 1

Depends on what you're training for. The major moscle groups (pecs and delts) are essentially doing the same amount of work. Your hands, wrists and forearms get a different workout when you do knuckle pushups. So if your goal is to strengthen the smaller muscles, do more on your fists. If your goal is stamina or more development/definition for chest and shoulders, do palm down.

hope this helps.

Answer 2

sets of say 5 0r 10, knukle, palm, back of hand, 5 finger, fewer fingers if you can manage it 2 and thumb, do a set of one then move on to the next set with the hands in the new position, so over all you choose 25 or 50 reps in the set, do more than one set if you want

Answer 3

I try to do a couple reps of each, since they work different parts of your arms and chest. Other good ones are diamond (thumbs and first fingers touching at 45's directly beneath you), and jumps (push youself into the air and clap before you land.)

Answer 4

depends on what you want to do.

high reps with normal pushups-more tone
lower reps on knuckles-more definition

Answer 5

the less reps with the fist work less muscles more, better for building muscle, the palms will work more muscles, it will tone your muscles.

Answer 6

i think it really depends on you, sometimes i do fist pushups when my wrists hurt, so it all depends on what way feels better to you.

Answer 7

You should do it as many ways as you can since they work slightly different muscles. Try putting hands together and moving them very far apart.

Answer 8

More reps is better. So use palms.

Answer 9

both of them do the same thing. you are going down just the same and coming up just the same. its just a matter of which one is more comfortable for you. if you want to get the most out of your push up slow them down. instead of doing one count going down and one count going up, do 2 or three. you can do less but gain more results

Answer 10

You can reallly do damage to your knuckles if you do push-ups on your fists.