Best way to master push ups

S

sophiem

Cathlete
For those out there who can skillfully do push ups, could you give some advice on best ways to get there? Is it best to start building up by doing push ups on your knees and then move to toes? I can't squeeze out many toe push-ups, so I'm thinking maybe I should be doing knees push ups to failure?
 
I'd like to see some answers also. I've been doing bent-knee pushups for about 4 years....still can't get to my toes.
 
I typically do as many full push ups as I can and then modify down to my knees. It does get easier, I promise. I used to only be able to do 4-6 toe push ups, now after 3 months I can do close to 20 before modifying. I upped my core work as well and I think that really contributed to my improvement.
 
How many days per week do you do push ups typically? I think part of my problem is also that when I do them, I get so sore, that it takes days before I can do them again.
 
If mastering push-ups is a big goal...3-4 days a week. 2 days would be fine, too. 4 may be a bit much. I say start 2 days a week with the toes to failure then knees to failure and work up from there.
 
I have this same issue and I have come to the conclusion that the secret to mastering "toes" push-ups is a strong core (my weak spot, of course). Whenever I have been able to get close, it's been because my core was stronger.
 
i read it's better to start up... as in on a counter or chair... step... and work your way down to the floor than to try to move up from your knees to your toes... worked for me!

i wish i could remember where i read it (maybe stumptuous?)


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It's easier to do toe push ups if you spread your feet a little instead of having them next to one another. Your weight is distributed more or something. Try that
 
I did slow and heavy for about 3 weeks, and after that my push up strength went up trumendously. I used to only do one or 2 on my toes, now i can do 6, 8 on a good day. :) slow progress, but i'm getting there! -C
 
I find that if I set myself up by thinking of "widening" my back and chest, I am more stable for push-ups.

The gap between "on-the-knees" and "on-the-toes" push-ups seems so big. I try to do all I can on my toes (I got to do a very good amount with P90X), then I go to one knee on a balance disc (the other leg held off the ground), then to two knees on a balance disc.

Oddly enough--or it seems so to me--I can often do more push-ups on my toes with one foot stacked on the other than I can with both feet down. Can anybody tell me why? Seems like it would be harder, but for me, it isn't.

I'd also say experiment with foot width: it may be easier for you to do the "on-the-toes" push-ups with a wider stance.

Also, doing "negative push-ups" (starting in the "up" postion on your toes, then S-L-O-W-L-Y lower down, drop your knees down, and push up slowly to the top.

Give yourself as much time as necessary between sets to regain some strength (but remember "it's a break, not a vacation"!). I cannot do all the push-ups at the beginning of GS Chest/triceps with the short rest that is in the workout. But if I recover a bit more (maybe with age comes more of a need for recovery!), I can do most of them on my toes.
 
Im glag Im not the only one with this problem. Most of the times I do them on my knees. But I feel like such a wimp when I do the Cathe workouts. I also have a hard time holding the planks the whole time.
 
This has always been a challenge for me - like others, I do as many as I can then drop to my knees. Push-ups have been really challenging for me to improve. But considering I didn't use to be able to do any on my toes, and now I can do a couple of sets of 10 - I feel pretty good. But I still cannot get through the 72 pushups or whatever it is Cathe does without dropping to my knees! But I'll get there! :)

Jo
 
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