Gym shut ? Push-ups!

[Ayahuasca]

Gym shut, confined to quarters, been doing push-ups.

100 a day, now upped to 200 a day.

I have difficulty keeping my elbows tucked in though, they flare out. Any tips for perfect push-ups?

[popeyewhite]

Keep the elbows in!

[anonymous-user]

Ayahuasca said:

Gym shut, confined to quarters, been doing push-ups.

100 a day, now upped to 200 a day.

I have difficulty keeping my elbows tucked in though, they flare out. Any tips for perfect push-ups?

Some variety adds to broader strength - you've prob done already


Offset - move one hand significantly forward
Stretch - both hands forward
Unbalanced - one hand on a wobbly ball (one hand & 1 foot is extra fun). Both hands on a football. Switch hand on ball
Clap - pretty self explanatory
Single foot - a variation of unbalanced - you can pull it up as well as leave it off the ground
One arm - self explanatory
Diamond - hands together under centre of chest fingers making diamond pattern

[gregs656]

Do some pulling too or you're body won't thank you for it long term.

Pike push ups and the progression on to hand stand push ups also worth considering.

Archer pushups too.

[Ayahuasca]

Yep, also doing pull ups.

[mcelliott]

popeyewhite said:

Keep the elbows in!

Why bro!!!

[popeyewhite]

mcelliott said:

popeyewhite said:

Keep the elbows in!

Why bro!!!

Triceps not chest exercise brah

[mcelliott]

popeyewhite said:

mcelliott said:

popeyewhite said:

Keep the elbows in!

Why bro!!!

Triceps not chest exercise brah

Gotta get them boobies big.

Last night, I did a full minute of slow deliberate press ups, around 30ish reps, rest for a couple of minutes then repeat for another 6 sets holy moly.

[marksx]

All these ideas and I've a broken wrist. Gah!

[Brads67]

I was getting into push ups and even bought the perfect push up rotating thingies.

I now have a diastasis recti and am actually a bit wary of push ups or any ab tensing type of stuff.
Looks awful. Like an alien escaping.

Have bought a neoprene belt to wrap it and see if that helps.

[AI1694]

Can push ups help you put on mass? Or would you just get more lean?

[yellowjack]

Alternate knee to elbow as you lower your body. Done slow, deliberate, and controlled. As your elbow extends back, draw up your knee to touch your elbow, and return the leg as you push up. Repeat alternate knees, sets of the same knee, or just throw one or two in for variety.

(In reality I find it's more "thigh to elbow" than "knee to elbow" but that might just be my age or weird physiology)

[mcelliott]

AI1694 said:

Can push ups help you put on mass? Or would you just get more lean?

Push ups will definitely add muscle tissue!

[MC Bodge]

Do inverted rows to complement the pressups.

Lever/archer pressups are great.
-One arm straight out horizontally to the side, possibly on step or a ball.

[Jumpy Guy]

While we're on the subject... what body weight excercise to oppose the press ups? I.e for back and shoulders?

[Gompo]

I'd say you could add dips to the 'gymless' list, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find somewhere in the home that's suitable. Every little helps. Some different muscles compared to push and pull ups, I think!

[MC Bodge]

Jumpy Guy said:

While we're on the subject... what body weight excercise to oppose the press ups? I.e for back and shoulders?

Inverted row/horizontal pullups

[Hoofy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B08osCcvHes

[popeyewhite]

mcelliott said:

popeyewhite said:

mcelliott said:

popeyewhite said:

Keep the elbows in!

Why bro!!!

Triceps not chest exercise brah

Gotta get them boobies big.

Last night, I did a full minute of slow deliberate press ups, around 30ish reps, rest for a couple of minutes then repeat for another 6 sets holy moly.

That's the thing though - you have to do hundreds of them just to exhaust chest. Having said that there's not much else that actually hits chest adequately with calisthenics.

[TheThing]

If anyone is struggling for ideas, a few year ago I used to put a length of 4x4 timber above the loft hatch resting on the ceiling rafters and hang a set of £10 ebay gymnastic rings from it. Can do loads of stuff with these; pull ups, rows, dips and press ups.