Pushup form question

[Nataliemay24]

My wrists sometimes get sore after doing pushups or planks. I'm wondering what the best wrist placement is for these exercises to make it the safest for my wrists.

It seems to me like the best way is for the creases on the front of the wrist to be pointing forward, that way everything is aligned. This is great for planks, but for pushups, if I keep my wrists straight like that the pushup is just a tricep pushup.

In order to do a "real" pushup, should my wrists be tiled in towards each other a bit, so that my elbows can go out a bit when I bend them? Is that bad for my wrists?

Also, is putting my hands on dumbells good for my wrists? In that case, which way should the dumbells be facing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[materialsgirl]

Great questions - I'd like to know the answers too!

I have carpal tunnel syndrome and pushups and planks really do a number on my wrists. Now, when I do planks, I generally do them on my elbows and forearms, rather than on my hands. But you can't do that with a pushup, so I'd really like to hear Cathe's advice on that.

 

[green woman]

i also have trouble putting weight on my palms from years of factory work. i know this sounds a little harsh, but i form my hands into fists and do push-ups on my knuckles(it's not as bad as it sounds, just takes a little getting used to) maybe you could use hand-towels folded up as a cushion. as for the position of your hands, the closer together your hands are the more you use your triceps. so if you want to work your chest more than your triceps place your hands directly under your elbows so that your forearms are perpendiculer(is that spelled right?) to the floor forming a T. by the way, girls can't do push-ups, or so i've been told. }(

have fun and have a healthy day!

green woman.

 

[cocob1]

I would love to hear the form pointer on this topic too. I have developed sore wrists since adding in planks on the ball etc. this past year and I'm not sure how to hold my hands durning push ups especially doing Cathe when she never stops.

 

[runninggal]

Green Woman, there is a girl in Gilad's new workout series that uses the same fist method pushup that you do. I also have wrist issues, associated with tendonitis in my elbow. Contrary to some suggestions,I find that doing pushups ontop of dumbbells, irritates my wrists even more.

 

[Stacy]

I havent tried this myself, but if using pushup handlebars/dumbells still irritate your wrists, I've seen some ppl do them with a clenched fist, like a knuckle pushup.