I just found out over the weekend that my pushups I've been doing are wrong from my SO who was once in the army. I've been doing all these dvds thinking I could do 30-40 pushups and when he showed me how to bring my chest all the way to the floor I couldn't even do one. Now I am on my knees to relearn this.
Push ups.....done wrong
- Thread starter divagirl
- Start date
materialsgirl
Cathlete
>I've never done push-ups right. I do them on my knees and
>only bring my chest to be even with my upper arms - just like
>a bench press, only flipped over.
>
>Susan L.G.
Me too. I don't necessarily think this is "wrong", though.
>only bring my chest to be even with my upper arms - just like
>a bench press, only flipped over.
>
>Susan L.G.
Me too. I don't necessarily think this is "wrong", though.
buffettgirl
Cathlete
I thought the correct form for a pushup was to lower your body until your arms are at a 90 degree bend, like Susan L.G. says, chest even with the upper arms. My chest doesn't come anywhere near the floor and I dare anyone to tell me I'm not doing a real pushup. My DH said the same thing to me and I ignored him.
kathryn
Cathlete
Bringing the chest to the floor might be the army way of doing it, but it's certainly not necessarily the 'right' way, and is definitely not the safest way.
Going to a 90-degree angle with the arms, or a touch lower, rather than with the chest to the floor, puts less strain on the shoulder and reduces the risk for shoulder injuries and rotator cuff problems.
Going to a 90-degree angle with the arms, or a touch lower, rather than with the chest to the floor, puts less strain on the shoulder and reduces the risk for shoulder injuries and rotator cuff problems.
fit_fairy
Cathlete
To bring your chest all the way to the floor for many people would compromise form. This means you would have to go beyond 90 degrees at the elbow. Which many will argue is not good for the joints. So do them as you have been IMO!!
ETA: I see Kathryn, Robin and I were all posting about the same thing at the same time
Carry on now,...
Catherine
http://bestsmileys.com/exercising/1.gif
ETA: I see Kathryn, Robin and I were all posting about the same thing at the same time
Carry on now,...Catherine
http://bestsmileys.com/exercising/1.gif
alsrnbsn
Cathlete
>Bringing the chest to the floor might be the army way of
>doing it, but it's certainly not necessarily the 'right' way,
>and is definitely not the safest way.
>
>Going to a 90-degree angle with the arms, or a touch lower,
>rather than with the chest to the floor, puts less strain on
>the shoulder and reduces the risk for shoulder injuries and
>rotator cuff problems.
Not to mention wrist difficulties!!!
>doing it, but it's certainly not necessarily the 'right' way,
>and is definitely not the safest way.
>
>Going to a 90-degree angle with the arms, or a touch lower,
>rather than with the chest to the floor, puts less strain on
>the shoulder and reduces the risk for shoulder injuries and
>rotator cuff problems.
Not to mention wrist difficulties!!!
charlotteyochem
Cathlete
What about Demi Moore in GI Jane? Was that the coolest bathroom workout ever or what?? One armed, all the way to the floor, with one arm holding onto the wall??? Wow. That is my personal goal. In my dreams!!
LauraMax
Cathlete
>To bring your chest all the way to the floor for many people
>would compromise form. This means you would have to go beyond
>90 degrees at the elbow. Which many will argue is not good
>for the joints. So do them as you have been IMO!!
>
I don't know that this is necessarily true. I don't bring my chest all the way to the floor b/c that would relax the flexion of the muscle, but I do go to about 1-2 inches from the floor. I believe this is the proper form for pushups & I've never had shoulder, elbow or wrist problems.
Also another common mistake is letting the elbows kind of wing out from the body. The elbows should be pointing straight back when you do pushups. Same thing w/tricep dips--I see so many people cheating w/these exercises & it really takes away from their effectiveness.
Bottom line is, if you use proper form of course the exercise will be more difficult. It just means reduce your reps & focus more on your form.
>would compromise form. This means you would have to go beyond
>90 degrees at the elbow. Which many will argue is not good
>for the joints. So do them as you have been IMO!!
>
I don't know that this is necessarily true. I don't bring my chest all the way to the floor b/c that would relax the flexion of the muscle, but I do go to about 1-2 inches from the floor. I believe this is the proper form for pushups & I've never had shoulder, elbow or wrist problems.
Also another common mistake is letting the elbows kind of wing out from the body. The elbows should be pointing straight back when you do pushups. Same thing w/tricep dips--I see so many people cheating w/these exercises & it really takes away from their effectiveness.
Bottom line is, if you use proper form of course the exercise will be more difficult. It just means reduce your reps & focus more on your form.
0 Push ups
Cathlete
Dave,
That's how we had to do push-ups in the Police Acadmey, 10 handstand push-ups to pass. I hated it!x(
Susan L.G.:+
That's how we had to do push-ups in the Police Acadmey, 10 handstand push-ups to pass. I hated it!x(
Susan L.G.:+
0 Push ups
Cathlete
Kathryn, We said the same thing....
They said it would help us in looking for the bad guy that is hiding in a man hole in the street.
They said it would help us in looking for the bad guy that is hiding in a man hole in the street.
eminenz2
Cathlete
Bill, how did my signature get into your post? I've never been to a police academy!
+Please+ Bill, at least keep your peanut butter out of my chocolate!!! Hahahaha!
Corrie, big boobs tell you when you've hit bottom on your pushups and when to go back up.
And Bill, don't you *dare say anything*!!!! I will beat you to the punch!:7 Because men use their beer bellies - haha!
My GOD I'm my own biggest fan tonight. :*
Susan L.G.
+Please+ Bill, at least keep your peanut butter out of my chocolate!!! Hahahaha!
Corrie, big boobs tell you when you've hit bottom on your pushups and when to go back up.
And Bill, don't you *dare say anything*!!!! I will beat you to the punch!:7 Because men use their beer bellies - haha!
My GOD I'm my own biggest fan tonight. :*
Susan L.G.
0 Push ups
Cathlete
Susan L.G.
Mmmm peanut butter and chocolate:+
Mmmm peanut butter and chocolate:+
GreenEyedLefty
Cathlete
I thought the elbows pointing straight back were tricep push-ups, and the ones where the elbows are out emphasize the pecs.
This might be a question for Cathe herself.
This might be a question for Cathe herself.