Wil said:
Do weighted dips instead.
What program are you doing, by the way?
Weighted push-ups 
I used to really like weighted push-ups before I got a bench. They’re pretty good.
Wil said:
Do weighted dips instead.
What program are you doing, by the way?
This. Weighted dips made a huge difference for me.
For a second I thought I was in /r/abrathatfits, lol–push-up bra, chest size… I was about to recommend the 'ol swoop and scoop.
Angel said:
For a second I thought I was in /r/abrathatfits, lol–push-up bra, chest size… I was about to recommend the 'ol swoop and scoop.
> the 'ol swoop and scoop
Ah yes, classic technique.
Diamond push-ups help.
Lennon said:
Diamond push-ups help.
Yeah, diamonds and declines.
Lennon said:
Diamond push-ups help.
Yeah, diamonds and declines.
I’ve always learned that the closer your hands are, the more you’re working your triceps as opposed to your pecs.
EDIT: I looked some up on YouTube and they seem to be focused on tris also.
@Presley
IDK from my experience, I feel really good definition in my chest with closer hands. Try 'em out.
Honestly, it’s been a while since I’ve been doing my push-up regimes, but I seem to remember diamonds gave me a nice pump in my chest, declines too. Try 'em out and feel where the burn is.
My chest isn’t huge or anything, but one of my favorites for chest is actually the one called “hip dumbbell press for chest” on this webpage. Scooby has a real good site imho.
On the floor, arms by the side, back arched, press that shit.
Full disclosure: I’m not huge, been on a long gym hiatus actually, when I work out I have a good size for my height, but I definitely don’t look like Scooby (who btw hints that he’s not natty anyway, sorry if I’m wrong).
@Presley
Bret Contreras wrote an article about that—close hand or diamond push-ups increase pectoral activation over wider variations.
I’d go with dips, but if you are set on push-ups, try doing pseudo planche push-ups.
Quill said:
I’d go with dips, but if you are set on push-ups, try doing pseudo planche push-ups.
PPPU seem to require a lot more coordination and shoulder development which may limit the amount you can use your chest.
I love weighted push-ups. The vests are comfortable and the weight is secure, all on your upper back and shoulders. I’m not a fitness expert but I do have lots of experience pushing really heavy carts (typically 500-2000lbs.)
When you push in the real world, you don’t push with your arms. You create static force with the pecs, shoulders, and triceps and push with your legs which are much stronger. If your core isn’t up to the task, you’re going home with an injury.
Push-ups work your core and reduce the risk of injury, but this works both ways; if you go too heavy and lose your form, you’ll pull something that doesn’t want to be pulled.
I used to do push-ups with bad form, and thought they did not work my chest; mostly felt it in the arms. If you do push-ups the right way they will train the chest a lot more.
This is a tutorial by Antranik, which I found very useful. And here is one for Diamond Push-ups by Tykato Fitness.
Just doing a few sets of them day in and day out would be pretty decent for chest development I think. As long as you try to engage the chest by doing proper form and “feeling them work”.
Also, I found the edge of pull-ups or chin-ups to train my chest a lot for some reason; with edge I mean going from arms completely extended to arms just a bit bent (start of a proper pull-up).
I use an app (I won’t mention the name, not sure of sub rules), and I find it a huge help. It does a slow building method like 2-3-3-2-2 where each session gets harder and harder. Next time it might be 2-4-4-3-2 or something like that. The dashes are rests between push-ups. Super simple, easy, and effective.
Edit: Runtastic push ups pro.
@Nico
IMO of the rules, you can talk about apps that you use—you just can’t be a fucknugget about advertising the app.
Bench with dumbbells. It’s easier on the wrists than a bar.
Erie said:
Bench with dumbbells. It’s easier on the wrists than a bar.
If you have pain in your wrists when using a barbell, your hand placement is incorrect. With correct placement, the forearms are perpendicular to the bar, which results in no wrist problems.
I have a routine for you, mate:
With no rest:
10 x diamond push-ups
10 x regular push-ups
10 x wide push-ups
10 x archer push-ups
1-1.5 min rest
Repeat 4 sets
4 x 10 front leaning dips
4 x 8 straight bar dips
4 x 6 hip push-ups.
Don’t worry if you can’t do this at first, it takes a couple of months to be able to do the entire routine but you’ll get there.
@Merlin
I refuse to believe you could knock out those reps with proper form and full range of motion.