This is for the people who are intimidated by press ups. For those of you who are blessed with the genetics to do them in your sleep you may as well stop reading unless of course you want to have a laugh at us mere mortals.
***Disclaimer***
I am neither a PTI nor a psychologist so take everything written down with a grain of salt. This is all from my civilian, non-military, wannabe perspective. I’m half embarrassed to write this out, but if it helps someone then I guess it's worth it.
***End Disclaimer***
I am built like a twig, 6 foot 1 and 14 stone with skinny legs and arms. I have the upper body strength of a toddler. Like most of you who are struggling I have read a lot of threads on this forum regarding press ups. I’ve looked for miracle cures, 12 step program’s, other exercise’s that also work the pectorals making press ups easier and other such rubbish. However none of this worked for me. Of course saying that, the motivation to earn (insert colour) beret should be enough for most of you. You've got to want it right?
The first piece of advice you always hear is to just do them. No thinking, no planning, just do them. I always start with good intentions, doing 3 sets a week, then 2 sets, and then just 1 set. Next thing you know it’s that old excuse, “not right now, I’ll make sure I do them tomorrow.” Some might say I’m just plain lazy. Well you’re not far wrong, but I can really only say that for press ups. I never mind going for a run, be it 1.5 miles or 6 miles. Sit ups I can do until the cows come home. Exercise cycle and weights, not a problem, sometimes I even look forward to the routine as a form of escapism. But as soon as press ups are mentioned I lose all motivation and come up with different excuses not to do them. I finally started daunting the starting press up position.
Recently I re-organised my goals in life and realised I needed to get a move on if I wanted to join the military. So when it came to press ups I needed a new approach, otherwise it would just end up like the previous attempts. I figured it was the actual process of getting on the ground and into the press up position that was deterring me, so why not change the whole approach. My new way is to do incline press ups (as much as possible throughout the day, maybe 10 sets a day). Be it going for a run and stopping at a park bench or the desk at work, maybe even the I'M A SCAMMER SPAMMER!!! counter at home. The point being that I don’t have to get myself onto the floor. I’m sure someone will point out that there is a slight balance difference between the two styles, but the point is it has changed my mind set. I am constantly looking for opportunities to do them rather than not do them. Also I now look forward to doing normal style press ups to see how much I’ve improved.
This will not work for everyone who has problems with press ups. Heck it may not even work for anyone else at all. But if you’re a weak b#stard like myself and dread press ups, then sit back and have a look at ways of making them just that little bit easier, psychologically at least. The answer is in your head as much as your arms.
P.S. I know everyone hates new threads on press ups but I haven’t really seen any threads on the psychological side of things. Of course one of you is going to dig around and find one now just to prove me wrong.
Sorry if the mod's decide this is irrelevant or unnecessary and lock it.kiwilad.
Edited for grammer
Are your scales accurate?
