Push ups

[GobletSquats]

I've been doing CrossFit 2/3 times a week for the past 3 months. I'm really enjoying it and have definitely gained in strength and endurance over this period. However, I cannot, for love nor money, do a push up. Not a single one! A lot of the moves are challenging but push ups are impossible. I've tried with a band and on a box/bench but still can't get down.

Does anyone else struggle with them? Any tips on how to improve?

Can you keep adding height until you can do it - eg on the stairs at home and then practice and work your way down? Practice doing them on your knees and build strength that way first?

Thanks @RunningAndSinging I've tried on my knees and at height but I just can't seem to get my chest down. It's like my elbows will only bench so far. Maybe it's psychological, the fear of face planting that's stopping me. My arms just feel so weak in this movement. I can strict press and bench press no problem but I have a metal block when I come to lifting my own bodyweight.

Mmm, it sounds like you have the strength.

I would start with standing wall press ups and drill till your form is good, and range deep, then switch to a high stair, drill, then move down a step, and so on. Build confidence before extra strength IYSWIM, and maybe do couple sets a day, not repping till failure, so it starts to feel natural.

I don't think knee ones will help so much if it is fear of a face plant that is stopping you as there is no easy way of progressing gradually as you get more confident. Similarly with bands, although you can go down to light ones, I think you need to convince yourself you are in control.

Thank you, this is really good advice! I've not tried standing wall press ups so will definitely give them a go. Sounds like a good starting point. Much appreciated.

Good stuff.

My head stops me doing stuff sometimes so I've found what works it to take it right back to whatever progression I can do and drill that, breaking down the move if need be (eg for push ups, you can also try just doing the negative - the descent - till you are comfortable lowering yourself all the way down, not worrying about how to get back up!).

Have you tried press up bars or yoga blocks? I found that they unlocked my ability to do press ups with my elbows in because my boobs could go down beyond my wrists so I could go all the way down without having to break the line of my core because my boobs got in the way. With my core staying straight and engaged I could suddenly do press ups.

I found putting a glute band around my upper arms really helps as it helps push you back up. I realise it is a cheat but should help you build the muscles you need to manage without it.

My experience is it's not your arms you are lacking but your core body strength.

You need to hold a plank whilst going down and up. If you can hold your body and legs and breathe, the arms are much much easier.

It has taken me two years of yoga and some weight training to be able to comfortably do 10 so maybe not the most successful!

How do you get on with reverse push ups i.e. starting from the floor and pushing up to plank without bending your body? The bottom inch is the hardest bit of the move so if you can do that, it would definitely suggest that you're getting psyched out rather than lacking the strength.