I want to do a push-up!

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   purpleangel47posted 13 years ago

   Well, more than one actually. I need a tried and true method to practice doing pushups without landing on my face. I try holding my body up in the air (doing the male pushup ... but oh by the way I can't do a female pushup on my knees either) but my mid-section sags and my arms scream "FORGET IT!"
   Should I just keep practicing this way? I know I'm 48 and old but I still wanna be able to do push-ups.

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      PrettyPantherposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      What you're doing will eventually work if you keep doing it, but it probably feels very frustrating.  You could start out by doing pushups on a desk (feet on ground, hands on desk).  You can probably actually complete a few that way and can monitor your progress.  I do this at work a lot.  Keep in mind, though, that the angle will be different from the angle of pushups on the floor, which means the muscles worked will be slightly different.  This is a good thing, but it also means you should keep trying to do them on the floor, too, if that is your eventual goal.

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         purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I will try the desk and keep trying the floor too @PrettyPanther. Thank you

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      Deborah Sextonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      _________________________________________
      I wrote an article on it here..How to firm and strengthen your arms, shoulders, and chest

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      laraluposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Try using a pilates ring  can help a lot.  Place it on the floor under you so that it supports you right between the breasts - a little bizarre, I know, but it gives you the  support you need to not hit the floor with your face.  Try it, you'll feel empowered!

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   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   It took me 8 months of work to get strong enough to do one real "guy" push up. Then within a month of that I could do 5.
   
   I was recovering from a back muscle injury and was so weak I had to put a pillow under my stomach in case I fell! At first I could just hold my self in the upper position for like 3 seconds. But each day I did a little more. (I'm in my early 50's)
   
   I also do an hour of yoga and an hour of aerobics each day.

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      purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Wow @Nelle Hoxie ... I'm impressed! Ok, so I'm on the right track. Sounds like I need to be patient.
      Thank you ... I wanna be like you when i grow up!

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   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   lol, the guy push ups are challenging. if you can't do one on your knees, try doing some simple weight-bearing exercises to strengthen your arms first. even giving yourself a very simple goal of being able to do 1 will help if you make that your goal.
   
   you can also do simple wall presses with your arms that will strengthen them.  stand arm length away from the wall, feet shoulder width apart and press forward and back with your arms.
   
   I have a hub about working out without equipment which may help.
   good luck, and don't feel bad, many women can't do push ups.

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      purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you @rebekahELLE ... the wall is a great idea too. I'm working with free weights to hopefully strengthen my arms.
      I'm gonna keep on trying

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         Bacallposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         You are so funny! Besides the wall press; if you are able to do bench presses that will work wonders for you. It will strengthen your arms and back. You'll be dropping down and giving me ten in no time. Good luck to you.

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            purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Ahh ... bench presses!  Thank you Bacall. Now you know I'm pitiful; I usually walk right by that equipment at the gym to get to the treadmill.

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               Bacallposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Dont be intimidated, straight up bench pressing for a week, and see what happens. And dont let anybody make you wanna do more weight than you are comfortable with starting with. The best trick is light weights and alot of repetitions. One week, come back and tell me I got my ten!
               
               The best of luck to you.
               
               You were so honest and funny you really made me laugh.

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                  purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Thank you Bacall ... alright light weights, lotta reps ... I'm on it! I'll be back!

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   TLMinutposted 13 years ago

   At least women don't have to go as far to touch the floor!
   I can't do them either, I just tried and can only go down one inch for each pushup (well, that's if it can be called a pushup).

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      rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      it's hard. no one should feel bad if you can't do one.
      
      I'm reading a book about the power of less and he talks about making 30 day challenges to make a new habit, to do it each day at the same time and within 30 days, it should be accomplished and a habit.

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      purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I can't even measure any inches ... once I go down, that's where I stay

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   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   Is there a place near you does horse-riding? That builds incredible muscles in the upper body without a lot of obvious effort.

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      purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Horse-riding builds upper body strength IzzyM? Wow ... I would have never guessed that. I've never ridden a horse, but in the farther parts of Western Maryland, there are accesses to horses. I'll keep that in mind, thank you very much.

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   thisisoliposted 13 years ago

   It will take time, but keep at it and you will be fine
   
   Doing semi pushups against a bed or some other object which gives you an angle can help a little though!

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      purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you thisisoli! I'm gonna do my best!

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         Friendlywordposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Angel
         How many Push ups can I get from you so far?

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   workoutdailyposted 13 years ago

   All the posted answers are perfect, weight training, do a little everyday to get stronger and pushups on a desk as well.
   I would add that you need to strengthen the muscles around you core as well. I would keep doing a push up hold on the ground (without actually bending the elbows) it's called plank position in yoga, and start with holding for just 30 seconds and add on each week until you are at a minute.
   I would suggest you make a routine. Say ... everyday do 10 pushups on a desk, do a 30 second plank and then do 2 other arm exercises with weights.
   And most important.. don't give up! Consistency is key!

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      PrettyPantherposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This is really good advice! 

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      purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oh wow! I tried that plank position ... whooee! So would a 15-second start do instead of 30? That was worse than the push-up!
      
      With all this great advice, I'm starting on a routine - with upper body and core strength my focus. I'll be back to let you know how it's coming! That is if that plank position doesn't floor me or I cave in my chest trying to bench press. smh ......

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         rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         start with whatever you can. give yourself a goal you can achieve, even if it's only 10 sec. at first.
         
         enjoy, maybe we can keep this as a work-out inspiration thread.

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            purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            excellent  idea! I need all the inspiration I can get when it comes to upper body strength!

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   optimus grimlockposted 13 years ago

   just keep work on it youll get it

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   Jentleposted 13 years ago

   Gradually build your upper body strength. There are modifications you can do, one is push ups on your knees but if that is to difficult you can get someone to assist you and slowly after a couple of weeks you should be able to do at least a few by yourself. Then keep challenging yourself! Good luck

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      purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Jentle!

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    motown25posted 13 years ago

    google the 100 press up challenge, it's a 6 week programme improving your push up ability, i think it's also an i-phone app

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    Pcunixposted 13 years ago

    Try reverse pushups.
    
    That is, just lower yourself as slowly as you can.
    
    You can use the same method to get strong enough to do pullups - get on a chair, grab the bar and then  lower yourself as slowly as you can.
    
    You can do reverses with almost anything.  I incorporate reverses into my workouts; when I'm pooped out in pulluos or dips, I do a few reverses to cap it off,
    
    These will build strength quickly.

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    wisetobefitposted 13 years ago

    Have you ever tried using an excerise ball (the larger one) If you position yourself by getting on the ball stomach first hands down in push up position with ball under lower to mid abdomen, using the ball as balance press weight down as in a push up with chest, then up again.

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    Daniel Carterposted 13 years ago

    Like Nellie mentioned, hold yourself in the upper position for as long as you can.
    Another good way to practice is to stand up, hold your arms straight out lean against the wall in front of you. Try doing push ups vertically against the wall. It'll also help strengthen upper body.

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    Rieceposted 13 years ago

    Best way to do it is to practice on a desk, sink, or wall. If you have a a gym membership or very light dumbbells, practice bench pressing them. Starting with 5 pounds shouldn't be too much of a challenge, and building that strength will help you do a pushup.

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    Diane Insideposted 13 years ago

    To get your upper back strong and your shoulders which helps with push ups, back up to a corner with your arms bent and the elbows and raised shoulder height, push yourself out away from the corner. Do that 10-20 times at a few times a day. You'll really feel it in the shoulders the more you do them. Then wall presses like the other poster said is good. Good Luck.

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    BigL_Lawrenceposted 13 years ago

    Look for the opportunity to do 1-2 pushups, a few times a day, i used to do that each time i used the staff toilet. Once you get to being able to comfortably do 10, then you an really build up from there. Adjust you arm positions, wide, narrow normal, this will allow your muscles to last longer, you'll be upto 100 pushups in a couple of months easy.
    http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-do-100-push-ups

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    ediggityposted 13 years ago

    Once you've got 10 push ups down set your watch alarm by the hour, and do the amount of push ups that corresponds to the hour hand. Ex. at 1:00 do 1 push up at 2:00 do 2.  Once that becomes easy multiply the hour hand by two then three and so on.

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    CYBERSUPEposted 13 years ago

    First of all 48 is not old. That is the first thing you want to get out of your mind. If you sift through the advice you have been give here you should be able to do push ups very soon and more than just one.

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    blondepoetposted 13 years ago

    I find if you put something alluring and enticing on the floor below you it really motivates you to do more. In my case it is a plate of peeled prawns.

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       Kangaroo_Jaseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       and THAT was exactly what I was also thinking, a plate of prawns.........Yumm......motivational.....yummmmmmmmmmmmmm

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