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Original poster

I cannot do a push up

73 replies

ButteryCup · 18/08/2023 19:11

Seriously. If my life depended on doing a push up… well, it wouldn’t end well.

Has anyone managed to learn how to do them? From not being able to do one at all?

OP posts:
BelovedLucy · 18/08/2023 19:12

Start with your knees down and keep your body in a straight line from your knee.

Original poster
ButteryCup · 18/08/2023 19:14

BelovedLucy · 18/08/2023 19:12

Start with your knees down and keep your body in a straight line from your knee.

I always do it from my knees atm, there’s no hope of me doing legs up. I physically can’t push myself up & down 🫤

OP posts:
DPotter · 18/08/2023 19:18

I found the only way I can do them is to use 'handles' - sorry got no idea what they are called but they look like door handles secured on to a piece of wood. You grip the handle which I find so much easier than with my hands flat on the floor

Bobbielikespeas · 18/08/2023 19:18

Rather than doing it on your knees, it is more effective if you do it on an incline. For example, with your hands on the wall (make sure your elbows skim past your body and not flare out). Once you can do it on the wall, try it on a desk and gradually move lower until you can do it on the floor. Look up incline push up or push up progressions on YouTube.

LadyMadderLake · 18/08/2023 19:19

I can't either. I'm pear-shaped and have strong legs but weedy arms. I was crap at Body Pump too, where you lift weights in a workout. Even after doing it for months I didn't gain the strength needed do a push up.

I can do planks though, and they are good for you so you could do that instead.

merryhouse · 18/08/2023 19:20

Start by doing it against the worktop. I realise nobody will consider this a push-up, but it worked for me Grin

I still have to use my knees, and I can't really get down far enough, and it's very slow; but it's a lot better than it was!

(Oh, and I'm pretty sure I can't start from the floor)

TotalOverhaul · 18/08/2023 19:22

I agree with @Bobbielikespeas. Knee push ups don't really help.

Holding a high plank helps.
Laydown push ups help.
Push ups on inclines help.
And the best trick is to put a booty band (short resistance band) over your arms, just above the elbow. That adds some support and springback to the push up. I can do several proper push ups with a booty band on, but none without.

Original poster
ButteryCup · 18/08/2023 19:23

Oh good idea, I’ll definitely try against a wall and see if I can finally get to the floor!

I’ve got strong legs too, my lower body seems ok. But my upper body strength needs work. I can do workouts with weights (though I only use 3kg dumbbells!) but push-ups elude me.
I can plank for a while.

Which muscles are used to do them? Chest?
Shoulders?

OP posts:
MsMartini · 18/08/2023 19:24

Agree with pp.

Start on a wall - build up till you can do three good sets of ten (google wall pash ups for good form). Then the stairs, moving down a stair as you get stronger. Core locked, elbows at not more than 45 degree etc etc. Do this 2 or three times a week, you will get stronger. A push up is not an easy move, done well, especially for women ( I train calisthenics and do a lot of push ups).

Push ups on your knees are good exercises but hard to progress from as it is a jump from knees to toes. Going down an incline allows for gradual, safe progression.

ShowOfHands · 18/08/2023 19:25

Start on an incline and slowly get lower. Use a wall, then a work surface, then a chair seat. Build up. Once you're on the floor, start in position and do micro dips down. Your arm will bend only a tiny bit at first and you'll be going up and down a few CMs but you'll improve over time.

Do you NEED to do a push up? Physiologically, they're tough for women but doable. Once you've got it, you'll be surprised how easy you find them. I can do some really fancy push ups and lots of them, but I have been doing them for years. In my early 20s, I couldn't do one. I'm in my 40s now and can do dozens. It's a pointless party trick really.

Original poster
ButteryCup · 18/08/2023 19:25

Fantastic advice here, thank you!

OP posts:
sadlyunpaid · 18/08/2023 19:25

I firmly believe that this exercise is not intended for women

Original poster
ButteryCup · 18/08/2023 19:26

ShowOfHands · 18/08/2023 19:25

Start on an incline and slowly get lower. Use a wall, then a work surface, then a chair seat. Build up. Once you're on the floor, start in position and do micro dips down. Your arm will bend only a tiny bit at first and you'll be going up and down a few CMs but you'll improve over time.

Do you NEED to do a push up? Physiologically, they're tough for women but doable. Once you've got it, you'll be surprised how easy you find them. I can do some really fancy push ups and lots of them, but I have been doing them for years. In my early 20s, I couldn't do one. I'm in my 40s now and can do dozens. It's a pointless party trick really.

I don’t know tbh! 😆 it seems to come up a lot on the workouts I’m doing atm (apple fitness+)

OP posts:
Original poster
ButteryCup · 18/08/2023 19:27

sadlyunpaid · 18/08/2023 19:25

I firmly believe that this exercise is not intended for women

Really? How come?

As a woman who can not do them, I fully agree! 😆

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 18/08/2023 19:27

It uses all your muscles. Same as pull ups, try and use your arms only and you'll never get there. You use your legs and core as much as your arms and shoulders.

Try increasing your 3kg weights too. They won't be doing much at all. The lightest I use is a 5kg for shoulder openers but use between 10 and 30 for most things. Challenge yourself. Bet you'll surprise yourself!

FrenchMustard · 18/08/2023 19:28

Try doing them on the stairs at an incline, go down a step if you find it too easy.

Almostwelsh · 18/08/2023 19:28

It's normal for women not to be able to do a push up. Most women can't do them unless they've trained for them. Men tend to have much stronger upper body strength proportionally to their weight than women, so they find push ups easier.

Start with your hands on the kitchen worktop and your body at an incline. Once you've mastered that try putting you hands on something lower, such as the side of the bath. Work your way from there, but don't be too disheartened, it's not an easy exercise for a woman.

thenightsky · 18/08/2023 19:29

Be careful. I tried to learn in lockdown and gave myself a frozen shoulder that's cost me a fortune in physio and left me with pain in my neck and shoulders ever since.

Original poster
ButteryCup · 18/08/2023 19:29

ShowOfHands · 18/08/2023 19:27

It uses all your muscles. Same as pull ups, try and use your arms only and you'll never get there. You use your legs and core as much as your arms and shoulders.

Try increasing your 3kg weights too. They won't be doing much at all. The lightest I use is a 5kg for shoulder openers but use between 10 and 30 for most things. Challenge yourself. Bet you'll surprise yourself!

I’m hoping to up the 3kgs soon, but I’m easing myself back in after a fairly long break from exercise

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 18/08/2023 19:35

Aah take it easy then if it's been a while. Most importantly, enjoy it!

Poontangle · 18/08/2023 19:41

Why on earth would you want to do a press-up? Are you in the marine corps?

Get a more enjoyable hobby. Tatting. Chess. Making moonshine in your shed.

RomeoandJomeo · 18/08/2023 19:48

sadlyunpaid · 18/08/2023 19:25

I firmly believe that this exercise is not intended for women

Bollocks.
I'm 52. Have never trained for them, or even set foot inside a gym. I tried pushups for the first time a few months ago and managed 20. I'm probably stronger than average, but only because I use my body to do stuff.

Bobbielikespeas · 18/08/2023 19:52

RomeoandJomeo · 18/08/2023 19:48

Bollocks.
I'm 52. Have never trained for them, or even set foot inside a gym. I tried pushups for the first time a few months ago and managed 20. I'm probably stronger than average, but only because I use my body to do stuff.

Show quote history

This 100pc. It is harder for women than men but shouldn't be seen as "not for women". Men will be stronger than women but doesn't mean strength training is not for women! I personally enjoy the challenge of doing them amongst other exercises and seeing improvements, and people will all progress at different paces.

roundtable · 18/08/2023 19:55

Use the stairs in your house. Start as high as you need with your hands on the stairs and your feet on the floor and push up and down as many times as you are aiming for. 5 sets of 5 would be a good start.

Then gradually work down the stairs as your strength builds until you can manage from the floor. Make sure you keep your elbows close to your waist so you don't injure your shoulders. Make sure your body is straight, no bums up in the air, and that you are lowering your whole body at the same time - not just your chest.

Good luck!

PaminaMozart · 18/08/2023 20:03

Start on an incline and slowly get lower. Use a wall, then a work surface, then a chair seat. Build up. Once you're on the floor, start in position and do micro dips down. Your arm will bend only a tiny bit at first and you'll be going up and down a few CMs but you'll improve over time

I agree but would add that you need to work on your core and arm strength.

For a strong core, try doing the Bowflex 3-minute plank every day.

Also regular dedicated abs workouts, such as Rebecca Louise's Best Abs or Caroline Girvan's Braced Abs and Core.

For increasing the strength of your arms I can't think of anyone better than Caroline Girvan. Start with EPIC Beginners and try upping your weights. You should be able to do 8 reps without struggling plus a few more, up to.12, that are challenging.

Redefining Strength has some excellent advice on push-ups. (All free on YouTube)