I can't do push ups, help?

[ShanksYYZ]

I'm in my early 20s, and Im embarassed to say I've never been able to do push ups. It seems every time I try, it's like my lower body\crotch lowers to the floor first instead of my chest, which I'll admit is kind of funny because it looks like I'm humping the floor, but it's definetly not a proper push up.

The trouble is I'm at a loss as to what I'm doing wrong. I've watched videos on how to do push ups, and I've googled and did a BB.com forum search, but I've yet to find a solution to this problem. Am I not holding my back straight enough or something?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Symplistic88]

I'm in my early 20s, and Im embarassed to say I've never been able to do push ups. It seems every time I try, it's like my lower body\crotch lowers to the floor first instead of my chest, which I'll admit is kind of funny because it looks like I'm humping the floor, but it's definetly not a proper push up.

The trouble is I'm at a loss as to what I'm doing wrong. I've watched videos on how to do push ups, and I've googled and did a BB.com forum search, but I've yet to find a solution to this problem. Am I not holding my back straight enough or something?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Obvious troll is obvious.

Just incase you're not trolling:

1.Use your chest, keep your core tight.
2. Lower your chest to the ground.
3. Push your chest up.
4. Profit???

[BigCisco]

I'm in my early 20s, and Im embarassed to say I've never been able to do push ups. It seems every time I try, it's like my lower body\crotch lowers to the floor first instead of my chest, which I'll admit is kind of funny because it looks like I'm humping the floor, but it's definetly not a proper push up.

The trouble is I'm at a loss as to what I'm doing wrong. I've watched videos on how to do push ups, and I've googled and did a BB.com forum search, but I've yet to find a solution to this problem. Am I not holding my back straight enough or something?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

This is sad, but like I told my 10 year old son, you need to keep practicing.

- Sounds like your core is really weak, do some situp's, planks, etc.
- Practice makes perfect, keep trying to do them.

[mattseefood]

Do easier variations of push ups, do kneeling push ups or incline push ups.

Then try to add core exercises like the ones mentioned above as well.

[MrMisanthrope]

Again, assuming not troll, just do a bunch of planks. If your arms aren't strong enough yet, do them from the knees at first then do push ups. Elbows in, shoulders down, etcetera.

[Mihow]

I'll step up and say I have never been able to do a push up either. I've been working out w. weights for about 2 months now and still can't (tho I'm getting better with the ab wheel). When I was 7, I broke my left arm and it bends at an odd angle at my elbow so dunno if maybe I just don't bend that way. I can maybe get 1/4th of the way down. Soooo yea ...

[igsm1969]

Again, assuming not troll, just do a bunch of planks. If your arms aren't strong enough yet, do them from the knees at first then do push ups. Elbows in, shoulders down, etcetera.

This....core strength is VERY important when doing proper pushups. Had I not done loads of core exercises such as the plank (and progressions), I would still be doing "girlie" pushups.

[timt214]

I'm in my early 20s, and Im embarassed to say I've never been able to do push ups. It seems every time I try, it's like my lower body\crotch lowers to the floor first instead of my chest, which I'll admit is kind of funny because it looks like I'm humping the floor, but it's definetly not a proper push up.

The trouble is I'm at a loss as to what I'm doing wrong. I've watched videos on how to do push ups, and I've googled and did a BB.com forum search, but I've yet to find a solution to this problem. Am I not holding my back straight enough or something?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Do beginner push ups, where you have your knees on the ground and your feet pointed up at a 45 degree angle. it relieves some of the pressure. Also, make sure to set a certain number in your head before you start so that way you can push yourself to finish.

[johnrichard04]

Do incline push ups and some core exercises attached with it.

[Tyciol]

I've never been able to do push ups. It seems every time I try, it's like my lower body\crotch lowers to the floor first instead of my chest, which I'll admit is kind of funny because it looks like I'm humping the floor, Am I not holding my back straight enough or something?

OP I think you should be practicing the plank. This will build abdominal/core strength. You can focus on maintaining proper posture without being distracted by your arms.

This will make you focus on the problem of preventing hip sag. Your abs and hip flexors must be strong.

This should not be an embarassing move. Many people who do advanced movements still train this. RVD does it, and he's the #1 contender for Sting's TNA championship. Google plank exercise and read up what you can on what people say about training this and variations. It's very helpful.

Also yeah, doing knee push ups or incline ones (hands on an elevated surface) are other ways to make it easier. Try them for high reps against the wall and if you have stairs, progressively do them from a high step to a low step until you're on the ground.

Planks can also be done on your knees, it's a nice warm up before going up on your feet as well as for doing afterward to get in extra work and fatigue.

[Symplistic88]

OP I think you should be practicing the plank. This will build abdominal/core strength. You can focus on maintaining proper posture without being distracted by your arms.

This will make you focus on the problem of preventing hip sag. Your abs and hip flexors must be strong.

This should not be an embarassing move. Many people who do advanced movements still train this. RVD does it, and he's the #1 contender for Sting's TNA championship. Google plank exercise and read up what you can on what people say about training this and variations. It's very helpful.

Also yeah, doing knee push ups or incline ones (hands on an elevated surface) are other ways to make it easier. Try them for high reps against the wall and if you have stairs, progressively do them from a high step to a low step until you're on the ground.

Planks can also be done on your knees, it's a nice warm up before going up on your feet as well as for doing afterward to get in extra work and fatigue.

You know Wrestling(WWE) is fake right?

[Tyciol]

You know Wrestling(WWE) is fake right?

I said TNA.


Are you saying that the people I see are not living being performing intense acts of athleticism in which they are competing for a limited amount of spots against many other wrestling superstars? I don't understand this 'fake' thing.

WWE still involves real wrestling even if Vince won't call it that anymore.

[Anderswelt]

This....core strength is VERY important when doing proper pushups. Had I not done loads of core exercises such as the plank (and progressions), I would still be doing "girlie" pushups.

The plank is not a core exercise. This myth needs to come to an end.

[SuffolkPunch]

Necrobumping is what needs to come to an end.