Question re pushup form

[Traildoggie]

Question to anyone who knows what the problem is here. I can do regular and wide pushups well, not as many as I want yet, but a fair number.

the problem is narrow pushups like straddle pushups on the step. my arms don't bend if the elbows are at my sides. when the elbows go out, they bend fine but not if they are close in. When I try to do a pushup in that position I can feel wing bones on my back squeeze together and my body slump to try to get down, totally out of alignment. that can't be correct.

I've had trouble in yoga classes with this too. I can watch it happen ... bend down, the whole lower arm rotates outward from wrist to elbow and down I go. no rotation outward, no movement. What am I doing wrong?

 

[kathryn]

If you aren't already doing this, try pointing the inside of your elbows forward, and keeping the elbows close to your side as you go down.

 

[Traildoggie]

The wing bones ( why can't I think of what they're called) scrunch together limiting movement, unless I let my torso sag which doesn't feel right. This seems so weird because I have very good tricep strength, but can't get in this position. the best I've done is limit somewhat how far out my elbows go, but it's not much different from my usual position.

 

[Traildoggie]

I tried getting my arms like that and it might help a little. I will keep working on the idea of pushing elbows forward and see how it goes. I need to place my hands pretty far apart to get there though. thanks for the idea. I'll keep working on it and see if I can gradually move closer together.

 

[kathryn]

The wing bones ( why can't I think of what they're called)

the scapulae (singular : scapula)

 

[Traildoggie]

thanks, I kept thinking "clavicle" although I knew that waswrong. anyway, the scapulae seem to scrunch together unpleasantly in that move. my yoga instructor has been on my case alot about arm position. I'm the only one in the class who can do toe pushups but the people who can't even HOPE to do a toe pushup in this lifetime seem to have no trouble with the "elbows in" move. somehow I think we're not all connected exactly the same way.... but I'll keep trying.

 

[serene_46]

What helps me with the military sytle (elbows in) pushup is to really retract the scapulae back and down toward the waist..... visualize putting the scapulae in the back pocket of your pants. This helps me maintain shoulder stability and therefore have the foundation to bend my elbows back and keep arms close to ribs.

 

[Traildoggie]

with elbows in I can't seem to figure out what to "push up" with. the position seems to remove all existing muscle from the process, especially the triceps. I've been working on straddle pushups thinking that's more the position, but my torso drops and my scapulae run into each other. I'll try to visualize them going downward.

Do you recall any Cathe workout that shows the position clearly?

 

[112toGuru]

mee too

with elbows in I can't seem to figure out what to "push up" with. the position seems to remove all existing muscle from the process, especially the triceps. I've been working on straddle pushups thinking that's more the position, but my torso drops and my scapulae run into each other. I'll try to visualize them going downward.

Do you recall any Cathe workout that shows the position clearly?

I did (read didn't) these today on the floor, trying to finagle that position?
not like I'll run outta opportunities any time soon, as the V & bananas got me too... in Low Impact Circuit

Linda

 

[melimcn]

Don't feel bad, Traildoggie, I can't do this one either.
I've surmised that for me, the board is too narrow to really manuever this one. Same applies with tricep dips. I can't properly execute the form because it just feels terribly uncomfortable to me. I usually sub pushups on the floor with as narrow stance as I can manage, or sub out another tripcep exercise for dips.

I have broader shoulders and wonder if that might be the problem.

 

[kathryn]

Another thought:
Narrow push-ups and triangle push-ups (with the fingers forming a triangle) are two types that I always have to do on my knees. If you haven't already tried that, give it a go.