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How can I build strength to make push ups easier?

While I can do some push ups now it is not nearly as many as I'd like to be able to do and I was wondering if perhaps modified push ups (like having my hands on a bench/table) to lessen the weight I have to lift would build the same muscles needed to get better at 'proper' push ups. Obviously you have to do push ups to be able to do more but are there any other exercises or weight lifting you can do to build strength in the muscles needed for a push up? Thanks for any tips or links, much appreciated!

Public Comments

1. start out easy and life some light weights first!



2. do more push ups and lift small or larger weights. pullups help too.



3. just keep doing it...like set a goal for urself every time u do them like for 3 days have the same goal in mind...then up that goal and eventually ull reach ur highest goal



4. Do many arm curls.



5. this is an excellent tip do push ups for like 1 week then the next one you are gonna see that the push ups are easier you would lift your self better and feel less weight



6. im really strong in my arms and i can only do like 15 modified pushups

   try using like 5-10 ound wieghts that you can buy and use in your home and hold them and use your arms to make them go up and down and do repeating exercises with them like walking or punching while holding them.

   i hope i helped




7. yup. do more pushups.

   doing pushups strengthens your biceps and triceps. if you want to strengthen your triceps more, do some bench presses




8. Any chest exercise will help you. You can do pushups on a bench, or try doing a pushups on your knees. Also, do a barbell bench press. Or try a dumbbell bench press. lay on a bench with dumbbells in each hand resting at the side of your chest. Then just press them straight up. Then return to the starting position.



9. if you just want to get better at pushups, good ways are to use a bench, like you said. or do as many regular pushups as you can, them drop you knees to the floor and do some more.

   other exercises work the same muscles. you can do a bench press with light weights, or use dumbells to do shoulder press, bench press, etc.




10. Just keep doing em, do em till you can't do em anymore, rest, and do em some more. do that every day and you'll inevitably get better. don't worry about how you are now, just have a goal and work toward it.



11. i think those little weight lift things work... those things they sell at bed bath and be on. i forget what they are called



12. Work machines in the gym designed for chest and triceps! Dumbells too.

    Dumbell Triceps extension:

    http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Triceps/DBTriExt.html

    Dumbbell BenchPress:

    http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/PectoralSternal/DBBenchPress.html

    Triceps Pulldown:

    http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Triceps/CBPushdown.html

    Oh yeah, and doing modifieds is good--Try doing just one full pushup and then follow that with 8-10 modifieds and when you can do that for three sets move to two full pushups, etc, etc.




13. Yes starting with modiffied push ups is a good way to start until you build up enough strength to do full ones. Also lifting dumbells or weights can assist with arm strength. There are many machines which focus on upper arm strength which can also be useful. Whatever you do just ensure you don't overwork your muscles before they are strong enough to handle it. See a Personal trainer or a gym instructor who can assign an indivualized program tailored specially for increasing strength in your upper arms.

    Remember you need to be eating adequate amounts of protein in your diet to build new muscle mass and define your arms.

    Good luck and feel free to contact me if you need further advice.

    Chelsea




14. more strength wont help much in doing more, its muscle endurance. lifting say 20 reps with a lighter weight is better than 7 or so with a heavy weight, your muscles will be able to preform longer



15. When you do pushups- you are mostly working three muscle groups- your triceps, your chest muscles, and your shoulders.

    For your chest muscles:

    http://bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.php?MainMuscle=Chest

    triceps:

    http://bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.php?MainMuscle=Triceps

    shoulders:

    http://bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.php?MainMuscle=Shoulders

    You'll also want to eat enough protein to build muscle.




16. If you are trying to increase your push up count then you should do push ups 3 days per week. Do as many regular push ups as you can. You have to push it. The more your muscles hurt the stronger they are getting. Then rest for 5 minutes and do as many as you can again. Then rest for 10 minutes and do as many as you can this last time. Do that 3 times a week for 2-3 weeks and then give yourself a 5 day break and then do as many as you can. You'll notice your count has gone up.



17. Try some dumbbell exercises to increase muscles in your biceps. Start out with 10 lbs and work your way up. Do 10 reps on each side, rest for a minute and start again, do this until you've reached 40 or 50 reps on each arm. You can do this throughout the day. Do weights every other day to give the muscles a rest. Yes the more push ups you do the easier they get.. so keep doing them.



18. yes!..lol..as for push-ups..well..i think they are a great exercise!..me?..i include them into my workouts..i do 5 sets of 100 every other day .

    ways to do build strenght to do more:

    1. try doing push-ups with your both hands placed upon each..

    2. try pushups with your hands spread far apart..

    3. do "dips"..an exercise where your hands a separated upon an elevated surface..and lower your upper body till you can not "dip" any further..

    4. using a wall to support yourself into a handstand..do pushups in this fashion..

    5. pushups depend upon your weight, so you will only get as strong as you weigh..so do a weight lifting exercise called "bench presses"..this uses the same muscle groups..only it allows you to increase the weight as you become stronger.

    6. lol..and for fun ;) do pushups with your boy/girl friend upon you.

    good luck!

    :)

    al




19. do them against a wall at first, moving your feet farther and farther away to build up your strength