pushups on cardio & weights dvd

[twosquared]

Hi! Cathe,
Hope you are doing well.
First a thank you!! I was never able to do pushups before, and now I can very easily do 2 - 3 sets of 16 modified pushups. I am now starting to try to do full body pushups and have accomplished 2 with much struggle - they really are much harder.

On the cardio and weights dvd, for chest work you start with full body pushups into pyramid pushups into side planks. I usually just do my modified pushups here, but was wondering if it is possible to do the pyramid into the side plank doing a modified pushup - or should I just try to do as many full body pushups as possible?? Also, if you have any tips on transitioning from modified pushups to full pushups, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and hope you are better soon.

 

[carmenje]

Hi,
I read with great interest your problems with pushups. Pushups are a very important execise for the chest and as such, should be included if at all possible. I have had many problems accomplishing pushups. I do not have much flexiblity in my wrists and shoulders and the worst thing, my bad knees, which keep me from doing the modified pushups.
I started doing pushups against the wall, push aways. When that got too easy I did my pushups against my barbell on my weight bench. My weight bench has the two arms that come up to hold the barbell.
When that got too easy I was in a real bind because I did not have a lower surface to go to next. I lucked out when I thought of using a homemade wooden A frame weaving loom, granted not everyone has one of these around the house. The A frame allowed me to place my barbell at any height and work my way down gradually in 6 inch increments. I am now one increment away from placing my barbell on the floor on a couple of blocks. I padded my barbell with foam pipe insulation for comfort. I will probably always have to use the barbell for pushups but at least I am able to do pushups.
A wooden A frame is a relatively simple and cheap thing to make and it helps if you know a handyperson. If you think this would work for you I can give you some instructions on building one or getting one built.
Best of luck,
Carmen

 

[aapple]

I find that full push ups are possible if I push myself up using my core muscles. They are much more difficult if I depend too much on my chest and arms. So try hard to engage your core and push yourself up.Push ups can be used to strenghten your core too! Hope this helps

 

[Shaz]

Not Cathe, but I've found that one way to increase pushup strength is to use the stability ball. Do pushups with your hands on the floor and thighs across the ball (legs are straight). Over time, move your hands away from the ball until just your ankles are resting on the ball. By this time, you will probably be able to do full pushups on the floor. Using the ball in this way really increases your core strength, which I think is what really helps to progress from knee pushups.

 

[twosquared]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I will try them. My goal is to do at least 8 full pushups by summers end.