Correcting My Pushup Form
Hey everyone… Happy Friday!! WooHoo!! A lovely Summer Weekend coming up!! Can’t wait.
Ok, so we’re back at the pushups again.
Remember I demo’d my pushups in a post several months ago, and found out upon watching my own video that my form basically SUCKED?? I asked you guys for a few tips in a subsequent video and have been working on correcting my pushup form ever since.
I posted another attempt at perfect pushup form a couple of months later only to have you guys smack me down again with more tips and things to change in my quest for proper form.
So, I’ve been practicing ever since.
I also mentioned in the past videos how it takes 500 reps of a move to learn it, BUT if you learn incorrect form it takes 5,000 reps to RELEARN it correctly… good lord, I was skeptical about that figure at first, but I’m telling you guys its taking me some serious concentration when I do push-ups now to get it right. I’m coming along nicely tho.
Here’s my latest demo. You tell me. Am I getting better? (please say yes!! LOL)
So, what do you think? Better?
I’d love to hear from every one of you who have commented on any of my past pushup demo videos ok?
Seriously… I’m looking for some props this time, not so much more slap-downs!! My ego needs the stroke!! hahahaaa!!! (ok joking aside, I don’t necessarily need the props, I want your HONEST opinions please!! We’re all here to learn and motivate, and that includes me!)
Finally, just wanted to include this relevant post from the past: pushups vs. chest press …
… after you guys all slapped me down for my form on push-ups I decided to ask for help with my form on chest press as well because they are such similar moves, but it turns out I was doing that pretty much ok! haha!!
I’ve tweaked a few things since but not much. At the moment I’m just trying to get those darn 35lb dumbbells up for 4 sets x 7 reps.
Not easy.
I’ve been working those dumbbells with flat bench flyes, too. ACK!!
I’ll get there, I swear.
I might even demo it again once I can get all my reps up with good form!
… and just for fun, today’s workout song of the day ties into the whole bad form thing (well, sorta… Joan Jett might not care about HER bad reputation, but I care about mine!! Ok, well really I care about my bad FORM more than my bad ‘reputation’)…
Anyway, enjoy!! Its a great song for lifting cuz she’s just angry and angsty and I love the energy.
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS – Bad Reputation
That’s it for today!! Have a GREAT weekend and we’ll see ya again very soon!!
Girlwithnoname
July 24th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Great improvement! Much better form…
Only thing I would add is to bring your hands down a little further still..right outside your chest. You may find it helpful by lying flat on the ground and then placing your hands directly beside your chest and then pushing yourself up.
Otherwise, great job..elbows tucked in closer to your torso, butt was down, head neutral, abs braced.
Also noticed you have a bit of a push-up plus happening, not a bad thing though…that’s another story.
Keep strong,
BK
July 24th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Thanks Billy!!! Don’t hold out tho… what the heck is a Pushup Plus? Please elaborate… am I going up too high?
thanks again, I’ll do that with my hands when I start out in the future, just to double check myself.
GWNN
July 24th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Hey Jackie! First and fore most. Did you feel comfortable? How was your breathing rhythm? I don’t see anything wrong with you form. There are many hand positions depending upon how tough you want the work out to be.
I would though suggest that you get pushup bars and they do have an effect on the workout. There are varied views on them but, generally, I prefer them. Cheerio! Have a good weekend!
July 24th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Thanks Shrinath!!! I did feel comfortable and smooth, my breathing is still coming along, I tend to hold my breath, but working on it…thanks for the comment, I think I will get some of those bars!! good suggestion.
cheers!
July 24th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
No problem GWNN!! :)
Yeah, the pushup plus is basically a rehab/prehab movement of a pushup where you extend the concentric portion at the top of the movement. You push up beyond (plus) the normal range so that your shoulders basically round. So what you’re doing is not a bad thing.
Some ppl do pushups with the plus and some do just the plus portion.
Like a bench press, try keep the back tight and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you go down(opening up the chest) and when you come up, stop as you feel them start to separate. This is getting a little over the top and picky…but all in all, you’re looking good!
Let me know if you have any other questions or issues. Good luck..dig the posts!
BK
July 24th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Keep your body taught, squeeze your ass, lock your legs, pull your shoulder blades together, and keep your neck straight.
July 25th, 2009 at 12:57 am
Looks a lot better!
The onlything Im not realy happy about is your shoulder blades. PErhaps you should do a few of these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6_VU9fH9GA just to get a feeling for the shoulder blade movement. And than don’t start your pushups in the position that would be the upper position in the scapular pushup.
So during the pushup the shoulder blades normaly move from what I would call a neutral position to a completely tucked together position, but you seem to have allways protracted your shoulder blades and a rounding in your thoracic spine.
This is what it should look like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_1BDnOVKso&hl=de
July 25th, 2009 at 11:42 am
thanks for all that matt… I’ve been concentrating on keeping my butt down and my forehead up that I was neglecting that detail. Another thing to work on. thanks!
July 25th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I liked your form, you seemed comfortable and at ease maybe a little to easy for you and your body fitness? Have you ever tried any boxing methods like a speed or punching bag? one thing I am Nitt-picky with push ups is locking elbows or knees.Talk to you later…
July 26th, 2009 at 11:36 am
thanks for the comment!! I haven’t tried the punching bags but have kicked around one of those boxing poles… kinda fun, but not really something I can have in my tiny apartment!! haha. thanks for mentioning the locking elbows, I’ll have to pay more attn to that next time I’m doing pushups too.. a few people have mentioned it.
cheers.