I am unable to do a push-up, how can I improve?

Question

I'm unable to do push ups. I have problems balancing my weight during the exercise. What am I doing wrong?
Do I have to do specific warm-ups or is there anything else I can do to improve?

possible duplicate of Is it necessary to warm up before doing a modest number of push ups? — Freakyuser, Oct 10 '13 at 06:14
While it sounds like a duplicate I think the real question is "I can't do a single push up, what can I do?" — Baarn, Oct 10 '13 at 09:13

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 10 '13 at 08:03

If i got your question right, you can't do a single push-up and you want to change that. There are several ways to make "easier" push-ups. You can try to:

do them on your knees
standing/leaning against a wall
with your hands in a higher position, on a chair or sth.

If you just want to be able to do push-ups, i think you can start by doing some of these exercises until you are ready.

Jacques · Answer 2 · 2013-11-04T18:14:30.740

4

If your question is about how to keep your balance while doing one, spread your legs a little further apart. Hands should be shoulder width, and legs can be about the same.

edited Nov 04 '13 at 18:14

answered Oct 11 '13 at 05:11

Jacques

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7

score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 11 '13 at 10:43

If you can't yet do a full push-up, I'd work on your planks (from your elbows and also from a full push-up position), trying to keep your entire trunk, abs, and butt squeezed for several sets of 30 seconds to a minute. I'd also do incline push-ups using a wall or chair, and try some Down Dog from yoga.

I am unable to do a push-up, how can I improve?

3 Answers3