one handed pushups

[stealthx]

just wondering, i do sets of 40 one handed pushups on each arm every second day, and just lately i've been finding that each time i go up or down for on rep it hurts in my lower back on the opposite side. E.g if i'm using my left arm, it hurts on my right side of the lower back about 20cm up fom the cocyx. What could i be doing wrong and how do i fix it? Cos dong normal pushups it doesnt hurt at all, am i using the right technique? I get in a normal pushup position then just take one hand away.

[grubbogoppoly]

Do you want someone to throw you a cookie:P

[Thai Bri]

I hurt if I do them with my left, but it feels sooooo good with my right. I have never done them with both at once.

You did say "pump ups" right?

[BadgerFu57]

Originally posted by Thai Bri
I hurt if I do them with my left, but it feels sooooo good with my right. I have never done them with both at once.

You did say "pump ups" right?

HaHa.

[stealthx]

i said one handed pushups not pumpups, and i was just wondering what is the proper techinque or what iwas doing wrong to make it hurt?

thanks

[Tianlong]

Originally posted by stealthx
i said one handed pushups not pumpups, and i was just wondering what is the proper techinque or what iwas doing wrong to make it hurt?

thanks

If you are really doing them in "normal" push-up postion (feet together and hands shoulder width apart), then-
A) You are incredibly strong. (I never seen anyone able to do this)
B) Putting enormous amounts of torsional stress on your lower back and the supporting connective tissue.

To relieve that strain, try spreading you feet wider and placing your supporting hand on the ground beneath the center of your chest. Or do what everyone else not trying to impress girls does. REGULAR PUSH-UPS! If they are "too easy" slow down so that each repetition takes 30 seconds. I doubt you will get past 20 in one set.

[stealthx]

Yeh i'm doing them in the normal pushups position, because i prefer to work on strength rather than stamina, and it seems like those slow pushups (30sec a rep) just purely work stamina. Like i dont use weights (and dont want to) so i do one handed pushups in the regular position instead (i like body weight exercises). With my feet spread wider or my hand in the centre of my chest it seems like it makes the pushup, easier like it takes less effort/strength to do. Is there an exercise or a way to do the one handed pushup which still requires that high level of strength/effort without feeling that pain in my lower back? Because i want to do an exercise where it purely works strength(low reps) not stamina and with my feet spread and hand in the middle it seems to make the pushup easier and not as benefitial(as i have to do more reps to get to failure)? Is there a way around this? thanks

[Tianlong]

Well, stealthx the fact is resistance exercises build strength. That is why EVERY serious athelete weight trains. There is no reason not to. Golfers, runners, everyone weight trains. Why? it works! The old BS arguments about flexibility and being "slow" are just that. BS. The "man" himself, Bruce Lee, was a major proponent. Talk to any serious western MA and they will say the same. You can increase the difficulty of the push-up by elevating you feet, and going deeper on the push-up, (using handles or going between chairs. But if you are strong enough to do sets of 40 one handers, then you are going to rep out on anything. For strength you need to keep reps at less than 10.
So either, change your prejugdice against weights, or move to a planet with higher gravity.

[Tianlong]

Originally posted by stealthx
Yeh i'm doing them in the normal pushups position, because i prefer to work on strength rather than stamina, and it seems like those slow pushups (30sec a rep) just purely work stamina. Like i dont use weights (and dont want to) so i do one handed pushups in the regular position instead (i like body weight exercises). With my feet spread wider or my hand in the centre of my chest it seems like it makes the pushup, easier like it takes less effort/strength to do. Is there an exercise or a way to do the one handed pushup which still requires that high level of strength/effort without feeling that pain in my lower back? Because i want to do an exercise where it purely works strength(low reps) not stamina and with my feet spread and hand in the middle it seems to make the pushup easier and not as benefitial(as i have to do more reps to get to failure)? Is there a way around this? thanks

No way around the back pain. it is physics. you are twisting your body along it's longest axis and to combat that your muscles must contract more severely on the opposing side. Thus the pain.

[sk12879]

Originally posted by stealthx
Yeh i'm doing them in the normal pushups position, because i prefer to work on strength rather than stamina, and it seems like those slow pushups (30sec a rep) just purely work stamina.

Pick up a barbell. That would be more beneficial for strength than pushups. Pushups are very good and have a place in any workout regimen. As Tianlong said though, weight training works. It's the most effective way of increasing strength.

[Thai Bri]

Pump Ups are more beneficial to your morale. And they help you sleep.

[TaintedDestiny]

i do one handers do and most of the time if i stick my butt up into the air to keep my backbent over and high it will lessen some of my pains

[kh_s]

U guys can do these one hander pushups ? I can't even do 1, or barely 1. IS THERE A SECRET TO IT!?!!?

[grubbogoppoly]

Tainted, the reason it takes the pain out of the one handed push up when you stick your butt in the air is cause you are not doing any work.

[stealthx]

yeh thanks,i just find that if i want to workout everyday in my own home for like 15min a day, its easier to do quick bodyweight exercises just for pure convenience. But i'm thinking of trying weights now thanks. By the way, is it worth ignoring/blocking out the pain in my back to continue doing the one handed pushups, or will it cause me harm and should i just listen to my body and when it hurts stop.