High rep push-ups

[Jimbo]

I need to increase the number of knuckle push-ups I can do in one set, for karate gradings. A few months ago, when I achieved 3 sets of 20 (90 secs rest between sets) and could progress no further, I added a 5kg weight on my back. The weight was always unstable despite strapping and probably too much too start with. A few days later I got a pain in my right shoulder. I stopped doing push-ups for a few weeks and the pain has gone. I want to start push-ups again working on high reps, firstly.

I have tried Nightshade's suggestion http://stadion.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php ... t=push+ups of working on stairs, but couldnt get comfortable. My questions are as follows.

1/ Would lying on my back on a bench and holding fairly light dumbells, pushing them upwards, minicking the arm movement of push-ups, achieve the correct conditioning for push-ups if high reps were performed ? Has anyone ideas of how to build up high reps of push-ups apart from the 'stairs' ?

2/ I've read the barbell bench press and the push-up targets the same muscles and has the same synergists and dynamic stabilizers. Does this mean that high reps or maximal strength work on the bench press would assist with push ups ?

Any help would be gratefully received

Jimbo

[Thomas Kurz]

I have tried Nightshade's suggestion http://stadion.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php ... t=push+ups of working on stairs, but couldnt get comfortable.

See a physiotherapist to correct your form of push-ups. Without that correction you are likely to hurt your shoulders with any form of push-ups.

1/ Would lying on my back on a bench and holding fairly light dumbells, pushing them upwards, minicking the arm movement of push-ups, achieve the correct conditioning for push-ups if high reps were performed ? Has anyone ideas of how to build up high reps of push-ups apart from the 'stairs' ?

Not really. Bench presses eliminate the need to stabilize the trunk and shoulder blades.

2/ I've read the barbell bench press and the push-up targets the same muscles and has the same synergists and dynamic stabilizers. Does this mean that high reps or maximal strength work on the bench press would assist with push ups ?

Not a lot, see above. Bench press actually destabilizes the shoulder. You will be better off learning to do push-ups correctly.

[Jimbo]

Many thanks Mr Kurz.

I will get an experts opinion on what I'm doing wrong.

Once it's corrected its the 'Stairs' for me.

Jimbo