Very odd.

[BKJ1216]

Okay I started doing pushups yesterday(inclined on a wall sense I have a little too much body wiehgt my muscle could lift) and although it was pretty hard, I don't think I worked my pectorials at all. They woren't even sore after I got done doing the pushups. Infact the only thing that did hurt was my shoulder, but it wasn't the muscles it was like a tendon or something. Anyone knw what I could be doing wrong?

[KickChick]

OK.... first of all, let me say you are going about this (doing push ups) in the correct manner. Which is starting with wall push-ups and then graduating to the easier, conventional push ups and on further to the more advanced style of a push u p, when you feel your upper body becoming stronger.

 

Hmmm.... let's see if you are doing "wall push ups" correctly in the first place. More often then not, when you do happen to do them incorrectly, you tend to feel it more in your back.

 

For wall push-ups you should stand facing a wall ,with your feet shoulder width apart. Stand perfectly straight with your back straight and tummy pulled in.

 

Bend your arms and keep your arms flat a little more than shoulder width apart. Lean into the wall till your upper arms are parallel to the wall. To move away from the wall, straighten your arms and move yourself. Start with a set of eight repetitions and gradually increase it till you are able to easily do three sets, then graduate on to the easy push up version, lying on the floor knees bent and legs crossed behind. You must take care to pull your ab muscles in, towards your spine and ensure that your back does not arch.

 

http://www.bo.uiowa.edu/~fushr/wellness/MTC3/Exercises/overall/Images/wallpush2.jpg

[crash]

sounds like your using your shoulders/arms instead of your chest, which is common when doing them from the wall. try doing them from the normal push-up position, but on your knees instead of the toes. try for at least 10 but dont worry if you cant get that, just do what you can, and try to increase on a weekly basis.

[BKJ1216]

Alright thanks you guys. I'll be sure to remember this when I work out tonight.

[jmy77]

BKJ, One more point i would like to make is that you will have to develope the support muscles first. With push ups its you shoulder and back. If they can not handle holding you in a push up position they will be strained more so then your pecs (this will also happen b/c your pecs are weak and they compensating). Once your support muscles are strong enough to hold good position you will feel it more in your pecs.

 

Though, you will probably always feel it in you shoulders. I do 300 pushups in sets of 50 3x a week and I feel it in my shoulders, upper back, and biceps as well as my chest.

 

Don't get discouraged! You are on the right track!

[BKJ1216]

Oh, great explanation jmy, thanks.

[BKJ1216]

Wait, what are some good stretches for my shoulders, arms, pecs, ect... evertyhign invlovled in this exercise.

[kenpolifter]

When doing wall pushup you tend to put more pressure on the delts. Most of the time you body is in a greater that 30 degree angle. Any time this happen you will work the delts more. I would recommend doing flat pushups. Just do what you can for now. It will get better and you will get stronger. If your are trying to put on some mass, try some free weights(depending on your age). You will need to increase your protein intake. Diet and nutrition is everything. If ya need any more help, shoot me a PM.