Push-ups...

I have a push-ups question...

Doing our work out (Insanity) we do lots of push-ups they always do them from Plank Position (so that you balance on hands and toes, not knees)

I am not quite there for strength so I think that doing them with my knees on the ground and keeping good form is better than having not as good form or only doing 1 or 2 in the correct "plank" position.

What do you think? As you build your fitness level, better to do them with knees on the ground but correct arm and body position or only do 1 or 2 in the correct "plank" position but struggle with correct form?

Oh and I don't think there is a right or wrong, I was just curious what others do

I LOVE insanity but I one thing I think is missing from Shaun T's videos are alternate ways of doing things until you build your strength to the level that he's at. He suggests to stop when things are too difficult....Personally I prefer to keep going, slow down and modify the exercise making it easier so I can build my strength / endurance.

Using knees is fine - you might not be working the same areas that Shaun is focusing on but like you said you will have good form and you will still build strength on your arms. I suggest starting off in the position that he suggests and then dropping down to your knees (maybe with extended arms and not plank) when you find that your form is suffering....and maybe even go back to plank if you can.






Edited by diaperpin-jen - 14 Mar 2012 at 11:06am

Sarah2106 wrote: That is what I do. I try to do it the way I am supposed to, take breaks as needed, but sometimes I can keep going just not at the level he does. I agree, I wish that they had "alternative" options for some of the exercises. If the people on the video are exhausted and they are in top shape, how am I going to do it when I am trying to get into shape

exactly this - and that was my thought when doing p90x and insanity.  Goodness - they are fitness pros who do that all day, every day, and are paid for it.  i'm a squishy mom who doesn't sleep and is squeezing in workouts between making meals and cleaning bottoms and trying to avoid the toys/kids on the floor. 

i also do as many as i can in plank (only one or two right now!), then drop my knees down for the rest.

I would do them as others said in plank position than drop to your knees.  Or if they don't time you pause and do some more in plank, then pause again.