Looking for advice with pushups

Donald Trump* · 01-12-2009, 09:21 AM

Hey guys, tried searching with no success.
I started training about 8 months ago and from day one started doing some pushups. I do a set of twenty in the morning, then a set of twenty in the evening, every day. I am also using the gym twice/three times a week.
My problem is that these pushups are not getting any easier, I never feel like I could do another ten on top or that I am getting fitter through them. Also I have lost my excess weight so thought they would be getting easier. I think I should at least be up to sets of fifty.
Anyone have any advice?

DARTH SIMPSON 2 · 01-12-2009, 09:26 AM

Try doing front dumbell raises. it will increase your front shoulder muscles. Also how strong is your opposite muscles? I mean your back? You need a balanced body.

mikasd · 01-12-2009, 09:31 AM

one thing that will help you with the pushups is going until failing every morning 2 times and twice every night

once you can get up to about 50ish then just stick with sets of 30

Donald Trump* · 01-12-2009, 01:36 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Capt.Canuck · 01-12-2009, 03:56 PM

I'd personally recommend doing 3 sets to exhaustion in one sitting - i.e. 20, 15, 13 - with a minute rest in between...every second day.

I think if you do that for a few weeks, you will notice a difference. Remember, for muscles to grow you need to give them some rest too.

What is your push-up form? Are your elbows tucked in parallel to the side of your body, or flared out perpendicular to your body?

Capt.Canuck · 01-12-2009, 03:57 PM

I'd personally recommend doing 3 sets to exhaustion in one sitting - i.e. 20, 15, 13 - with a minute rest in between...every second day.

I think if you do that for a few weeks, you will notice a difference. Remember, for muscles to grow you need to give them some rest too.

What is your push-up form? Are your elbows tucked in parallel to the side of your body, or flared out perpendicular to your body?

Uncle Bully · 01-12-2009, 09:36 PM

My advice is to try to push pass the 20 mark.

CWMMA · 01-13-2009, 11:21 AM

Make sure you're doing them right first, doing half a pushup is going to do damn near nothing for you

Do 2-3 sets until failure every morning until you get to what you want should be able to go from 20-50 in a month if you're doing it right

Dirtpuppy · 01-13-2009, 12:11 PM

When I was younger and hellbent on going the special ops route, I needed to get my push up count higher than what it was after basic training. For about a month, every hour on the hour I would drop and do 20 push ups, so in an roughly 8 hour work day I would do 160 push ups, everyday. Thats not counting gym time. My push up count went from about 40 max to well over 100 in 2 minutes. If you cant do 20 do 10, and pay attention to proper form, back straight, head up and dropping until your chest is just a few inches off the ground. Its just a lack of muscle, no big deal. To get better at push ups, is to do more push ups. Give it time bro and dont overdo it stretch out REALLY good your shoulders, chest and back.

mikehmike · 01-13-2009, 12:12 PM

Just increase the amount of pushups you do every week by like 1 and eventually you wll be pounding them out