Push-ups.

Anyone can't do pushups like me? I can't even do one! I have no problem with any other exercises but the only one I can't do is push ups. Is it ok not to learn how to do it? I always fall flat on my chest evertime I try to lift my body....and i'll laugh and forget about trying....

I had alot of troubles with pushups.  I've always had a strong lower body and a weak upper body.

When I started, I started doing them on my knees which helped greatly.  They are easier to do, and you still gain strenght in the same areas.  After 4-5 weeks of doing them like this, you can give a regular pushup a shot.

Some people call them girl pushups, but who really cares.  I'd rather do them properly, with good form, giving the muscles a workout, then fall on my face after 3.

Tip... spread your hands a bit widder than you shoulders.  The wider, the easier it is.

Just wanted to add a quick comment on bigtwinky's "The wider, the easier it is." statement.

You use different muscle groups with different hand placement... so you may consider mixing it up and doing some with your hands all the way in (make a triangle shape with your fingers, right under your chest) to work more triceps... and all the way out is more specifically focused on your chest.

Good job! Keep going & try all the modifications you need - you'll find yourself getting stronger each time :)

good point, on top of the regular pushups, you have the military pushups (arms close to your side, hard as hell for me), diamond pushups, decline pushups and so on.

One other thing that may help is getting some pushup bars.  Should cost $15-$20.  They help take some off some of the stress on your wrists to make it easier.  Mine helped a great deal

A note for those with shoulder injuries:  start with the hands wide apart doing small push-ups, not lowering your body any lower than 'elbow height'.  ( Don't let the elbows stick out higher than your torso at the lowest point of the push-up.)  As you gain stability and strength in the shoulders, depending on your injury, you may eventually be able to come closer to the ground.  Avoid 'diamond push ups' at first if you are unsure of whether a shoulder injury will be aggravated, and try it after you are able to do a few good sets of regular push-ups without aggravating the shoulder. 

For wrist injuries, carpal tunnel, arthritis, etc., push up bars can help a ton!  You could also use octagonal dumbbells placed flat on the floor. 

My trainer had me start doing them by standing about 2 feet away from the kitchen counter, hands on the counter and pushing away from that.  Do 3 sets of 15 every other day.  Gradually find something lower as your strength increases.

Thank you! Will definitely try that kitchen cabinet thing!

I recommend the "female" pushups to start at first, but I personally love working my way up with normal ones. For example, let's say you can do 5 push-ups without your muscles truly giving out and being unable to do any more. Do 5 in the morning and 5 at night. The next day, add 1 pushup to that and work your way up.

I've been doing that and am now at 43, though not quite as good as I was last summer when I could do 50 real, tough "male" ones. : P

My physical therapist had me doing push ups on the wall. I have a back problem and doing them this way puts absolutely no strain on your back or hips. like you guys said above I place my hands in several diff. positions to work all the diff. muscles in the arms, chest, and back.

Just stand with your feet 2/3/4 feet out whatever is comfy and do it. He says it's just as good as the other ones but less strain. they are easier, of course but I just do a lot of them. And you will feel the burn. LOL Burning is good, keep going.

wow...im impressed 50 push-ups most guys cant even do that many....i actually just got down and did as many push ups as i could i gave it all i could and just made it to 50, and i thought i was stronger than most girls...haha guess not. keep up the hard work, when you finally achieve your goal of doing a push-up it will be a huge confindense booster making all your hard work well worth it.

Wow I feel like a wuss now...

50 push-ups... lol I have trouble with 20...

I 2nd the wall push ups until you start to feel better about them.  I am gonna have to try the dumbell trick the next time I have to do them in cardio class cuz I have a wrist pain/ possible carpal tunnel but its on the outside.

i cant do them either... even the ones with knees touching the floor.... either by back aint straight ... or i fall .... damn !!! 

This is an old post, but my prefered technique is to start doing wall pushups, then use a counter, then the 4th stair, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, til you are able to do them on the floor. Keep your shoulders, hips/butt, and feet all in line (don't let your hips go up - your body should be a line, not an upsidedown V).

Don't they say "What's old is new again?"  Thanks for the good advice, amethystgirl.  I struggle with push ups too, and the stair idea, graduating to tougher stuff is a great idea. 

Yep, working your way down from wall to counter to lower heights like amethystgirl said is better for you than doing pushups on your knees. It engages your core, while doing them on your knees does not.