My take on push ups

[jeffsmom]

Hi Everyone.

The last year or so I have had a harder time doing push ups than ever before although my training level has increased. I am baffled but here are my thoughts: (I am really looking for your thoughts on this too.

About 4 yrs. ago I could do two sets of sixteen on my toes. I have increased in muscle weight and have put on about 10 lbs since...I am Ok with that because I hit my mid thirties and I am still very fit and a good dress size. Now, I can do them only on my knees and sometimes cannot finish the last rep or two. Do you think it has to do with being able to lift your body weight? I am a heavy weight for my frame, 5 5", 155, but a size 6-8 and it is hard to lift myself on my toes. Planks are also a killer and I have done them for 2 years or so. I can never stay up the whole time and have to go to my knees. What are your experiences? I can do chest work at the same weight as Cathe, but not push ups or planks. I feel my back is strong. Ideas??

Thanks!

 

[frostyjan]

I have had the same experience. I am lifting more, but as I have, my ability to do push-ups has decreased. I am baffled by this. I can't give you any suggestions, but I wanted you to know that you aren't alone. Janet

 

[DebbieH]

Hmmmm!

Joining the "Baffled Club"~I also have struggled lately with big girl push-ups compared to a year or so ago when I could complete them all. (as Cathe does them in her vids) I have gotten thicker thru my midsection this past year or so and thought possibly it was the extra effort of trying to support the extra "middle" weight??? Not sure. I haven't had too much trouble with the plankwork diminishing though, not that it's ever or will be easy! I also feel sore (not a bad sore) when I do push-ups which makes it more of a challenge. Hmmm, wonder why?

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!

 

[honeybunch]

My first question would be, "How is your form?" You may want to check that out.

Also, at what point in your regimine (spelling?) are you doing your pushups? If you'r doing them at the beginning of PS CST without doing cardio prior to that, of course, your stamina would be better.

 

[Aquajock]

I seem to have stalled out on the number of push-ups off the toes that I can do. I'm pretty cool with that though, because I can do a substantial number in drop sets.

Suggestion: try doing the push-ups without the videos to cue you, and go at your own pace. Try doing sets where you vary the width of your hands; the wider the hand position, the more the pecs will be recruited. Try doing a few decline push-ups with your toes off of a 4" or 6" or higher platform. Also, increase your weight loads for your triceps work, because triceps are substantial assisters in push-ups. If you're not doing triceps dips with a barbell across your hips, start doing those, and make it a goal to increase that weight load as well.

I love and hate push-ups; they're the Mount Everest of my workout, and I have to keep reminding myself what a good total-body workout I'm getting when I do them: pecs, tris, anterior delts, core muscles and thighs as stabilizers.

Hope this helps -

Annette

 

[jeffsmom]

Thanks for all your replys. I have had a trainer look at my form and it is fine. I never have strain in the back or anything, I just can't maintain my strength to get through. I do the push ups when Cathe has them in her tapes and even at the beginning of a workout, they are still tough.

I will try some of the suggestions and see how I do. It doesn't seem to hurt my results, but I just hate to admit I can't do it!!!!!

 

[Jane P]

Could it be a problem in your shoulders? I can do push-ups until my rotator cuff acts up which it sometimes does. The other thing is that perhaps you muscle gain has changed your body's center of gravity somewhat.