Pushups!!!!?

Question

Im starting to do pushups but its really hard for me to do even 10, like really hard!!! and im 17 and im pretty skinny, but not the skinny type that you look at and think that they can break like a pencil. Im just kinda skinny but well built, but ive never been able to do more than 10 real pushups, so i don't think im doing it right since its so hard. What i do is i put my legs together, have my back straight at the top, have hands shoulder width apart, place my hands right below my shoulders and come down until my elbows make a 90 degree angle, any advice as to how to do the right push up or how to do them most effectively?????

Answer 1

There is no "right" way to do push-ups. The best approach is to use a variety of grip widths and positions to avoid doing the same movement too often.

If you're doing a push-up workout every 2-3 days (2-3 times per week), you could do a closer-grip variation on one day, a wider grip variation another, and so on. You can make them easier by placing your hands on an elevated surface (a low counter, bed rail, step, etc.) to give yourself a little mechanical advantage.

Just make sure you're getting in an equal amount of pulling work (dumbbell rows, inverted rows, pull-ups, etc.) so you don't end up with internally rotated shoulders like most bench-happy guys!

Answer 2

There are some things you could do that could help. (positioning your arms differently, etc.) The problem could be lack of upper body or arm strength though. A person can be slender as a rail and not be able to do a pushup. Try building up strength in your arms using light free weight exercises. This could help give you the muscle strength needed to do them.

Answer 3

You can spread your arms a little further out, instead of having your hands directly beneath your shoulder. This would force your body to get more of the power for the exercise from the muscles in your chest and it would take a little of the load off of your triceps. Just keep pumping them out and you will get stronger pretty quickly.

Answer 4

I'm in the same boat as you; I mean I can do just about any exercise but pushups have always been really difficult for me. I've started building my triceps up and now they're not so hard. To get yourself more prepped for them, as in, don't strain, you could try the 'modified' pushup where you are on your knees instead of your toes.

Answer 5

Hi, I can help you. I am a personal trainer and a bodybuilder with 25 years experience. Please contact me at [e-mail] Thanks.

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