I need help with off season prep for crew.?

Question

I currently row for my school. I really want too take my off season training seriously, but I have one issue, I cannot do a pushup. I work at it and I cannot pull one off. Any tips?

Answer 1

If you want to take your off-season training seriously for crew, then you might ask your coach if they could write up a training program for you.  They should be more than willing to do so!

Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about push-ups or pectoral exercises, as you don't use those muscles in crew that much (then again, you always want to make sure you do balanced workouts).  If you want to improve muscularly, good exercises are squats, pull-ups (if you can't do a pull-up, get a partner to help you or start from the bar and go down as slow as possible), and core work is very important.  Having strong abs, obliques, and lower back muscles will help you balance in the boat and engage your entire body on the oar handle.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Start on a wall. As you get stronger, put your feet farther away.

Then graduate to a chair seat, then on the floor.

Work on being able to lower yourself controlled, its called a negative rep, and actually builds strength very quickly.

Work on bench rows and standing rows, and lower the weight you use slowly.  Both will aid the muscles used for pushups.

Also work on pullups the same way, and do sprints to build leg strength.  Carry a friend piggy back.

Answer 3

hey there. many girls can't do "real" push ups. You should start doing push-ups from your knees. you need to bulid your cour before you do full pushups. even try a "front support" thats on you belly rise your back up as if you were in a push position, and just hold yourself on your elbows with your hands in a fist in front of you. you will feel the burn in your belly area.