I need push up help

[taratru]

Because apparently I'm an idiot.

When I do push ups, I never EVER feel like I'm working my chest, only my shoulders.  And then my shoulders hurt.  I've tried wide arms, narrow arms, elbows out, elbows back, full body, on knees, on the wall.  Always, my shoulders.  And after about 10, they hurt - not "feel the burn" hurt, but "ow, that can't be right" hurt.  

Is there some trick I'm supposed to know to work my chest?  I'm doing a monthly challenge that requires a buuuuunch of push ups by the end of the month and I'd like to use the opportunity to build some chest strength.  FWIW, my bench press is pathetic as well.  

[shorewife]

Maybe you're loose in your core when doing them? Can you post a short cell phone video? If you see yourself doing them you might even be able to tell what's going on.

[taratru]

Hmm...there's an idea. I'll try it.

Watching it and comparing it, thanks, not posting it on the internet. That would be like posting a video of me running. Yeahno.

[marclovesme]

Are you putting your hands too far in front of your body? My trainer said if you put your hands in such a position you will "kill your shoulders." I do this sometimes and I tend to think he's right.

His instruction to correct "poor pushup posture" is to lie on your stomach and place your hands in fists next to/under your armpits, then push off the ground straight up.

[marclovesme]

To clarify, by "hands in front" I mean as though you're going to do a downward facing dog, though it's likely not to that extreme.

[mrsjthompson]

I have no upper body strength, but I'm working on it. After a couple of months doing pushups I'm only just starting to feel it in my chest. Up until now it was just my arms. Maybe your arms just need to get stronger before you can recruit the right chest muscles? Totally uneducated guess here.

[wildfloweragain]

I'm starting push ups in NROLFW and started on the bathroom counter, probably too wide though, then lowered to the edge of the bathtub (I'm not even on the floor yet.) Maybe try one of those to see if it makes a difference one time? I think it somehow puts my arms wider. Anyway, I feel it a ton in my chest. My arms are shaky and weak after, but I actually feel it in my chest.

hth!