In 3xF Push Ups

[Foggy]

I can do 10 push ups in the first set, but the remaining two sets I can't do more than 2. Is this normal? I would have thought it would be more balanced, but after my first failed push up it's very difficult for me to do even 1, and I usually fail right after the 2nd one. I'm taking probably a minute break in between sets.

[knoted]

If you haven't done a lot of push ups before that's probably normal. Try taking a longer break.

[holvoetn]

When the difference is that big, you might want to limit yourself on the first set so there is something left in the tank for the 2 other sets.
Do the first set until you think there are only 1 or 2 left in your arms and stop there.
See how many you can do then at the 2nd and 3th set.
That should increase the total volume of reps for the 3 sets.
Increase rest time to 2 or 3 minutes for the coming weeks, slowly scale back once you see the numbers going up.
Once everything gets closer again (e.g. 10/8/5) go all-out again from the beginning.

What also helps is simply to do sets of pushups multiple times a day (in your case 7 or 8, never to failure), whenever you can. Make sure to have 1 day a week every 2 weeks where you do no pushing exercise at all.
It is quite impossible to overtrain using an exercise like pushups. When you start to add weight that is something else

[Hasasanator]

holvoetn how can you not overtrain exercises like push ups, just wondering as i would of thought anytype of exercise weight or no weight could be overtrained. Thanks in advance

[holvoetn]

Your body is 'designed' (so to speak) to handle its own weight.
The real stress only comes when adding a lot of additional weight.

[marcelnyo]

in the old days when I was in martial arts training, I can do about 60 pushups in one go, arms wide, chest almost touching the floor, and with my knuckles, IMO using knuckles strenghten the wrists real good, but since I were doing it, my wrists became very stiff and I can't really play piano very well... so right after my karate-club is closed (I'm the last member) I beginning to do regular pushups again and my wrists got more flexible... and my knuckles become softer eventually.

back in those days, I look for 300-360 2 times a day, every day, each consists of 3x60... and after a few weeks doing it, it's like I'm losing my strength in all other areas, and when I stopped pushing for 2 days, my strength in punches and wrists amazes me, so yes, I think you can easily overtrain with push-ups just like any other exercise.

and now, after 3 years of on and off practice? I can barely do 30 regulars in one go... that's real sad considering my achievements back then, I'm just starting 5x5 in my first week btw, so wish me luck

[holvoetn]

..., and when I stopped pushing for 2 days, my strength in punches and wrists amazes me, so yes, I think you can easily overtrain with push-ups just like any other exercise.

Overtraining is not recovered in 2 days.
Talk about weeks and you'll be there.

[ViolatedBird]

H,

Can you be more specific about "do sets up pushups multiple times a day, whenever you can"?

Are you talking about doing 3 sets of 7-8 (non failure number) pushups a number of times per day, or are you talking about doing 7-8 pushups every couple of hours throughout the day?

[holvoetn]

Hello and welcome

H,

Can you be more specific about "do sets up pushups multiple times a day, whenever you can"?

Are you talking about doing 3 sets of 7-8 (non failure number) pushups a number of times per day, or are you talking about doing 7-8 pushups every couple of hours throughout the day?

Whatever makes your boat flow and is practically feasible.
Go for quantity (and quality, of course )

[marcelnyo]

..., and when I stopped pushing for 2 days, my strength in punches and wrists amazes me, so yes, I think you can easily overtrain with push-ups just like any other exercise.

Overtraining is not recovered in 2 days.
Talk about weeks and you'll be there.

oh wow, that's new for me,in fact,I've just thought about my past situation when I was reading stuffs on taking a rest to recover muscles too,anyway,thanks alot H.