Should you lock elbows when doing push-ups?

Author: Laury O'Hara  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Locking your elbows at the top of the movement is a mistake you might make as you fatigue and want a little rest. But this places too much stress on the joints and can lead to strain or injury. Always keep a slight bend in the elbows. If you are fatigued, it's time to take a rest before doing another set.

Should you lock your elbows while doing push-ups?

Mistake #1: Flaring your elbows out wide. In a correct push-up, hand position and elbow position are crucial. Your elbows should be tucked in slightly, not out like a chicken!

Do you have to lock out a push up?

The chest touching the floor is the correct position for the bottom part of the pushup movement. When I come back up to the top it's important to come to full lockout of the elbows. Full lockout of the elbows is the correct position for the top part of the pushup.

Is it okay to do push-ups with golfers' elbows?

Bench presses, pushups and chin-ups: These exercises can strain your flexors, further irritating your tennis elbow and worsening your condition. Wrist exercises: Many wrist exercises can cause additional stress to your forearm and elbow, worsening your injury and making the pain chronic.

Should elbows be flared or tucked push-ups?

"Use a grip that's just outside shoulder width or narrower," he advises. "Then, don't forget to tuck your elbows into your body instead of flaring them out." He recommends keeping your elbows at an angle of below 60 degrees from the body (preferably 45 degrees).

STOP DIPS ELBOW PAIN || Step by step guide

What exercises should I avoid with golfers' elbows?

Golfer's elbow exercises to avoid include:
  • Heavy lifting, especially in a palm-up position.
  • Repetitive pulling or lifting.
  • Movements that involve your symptomatic side.

What is a common mistake for push-ups?

Using too little range of motion

Failing to go deep enough or come into a full extension is one of the most common mistakes with this exercise. In a proper push-up, you should bend your elbows to at least 90 degrees when you lower your chest down. Your chest should almost touch the floor.

Should you lock your elbows when doing pull-ups?

Your build determines your grip width for Pullups. The wider your shoulders, the wider your grip should be. But it can never be wider or narrower than shoulder-width apart. And each rep must start with your elbows locked at the bottom, and end with your chin over the bar at the top.

How many push-ups a day to build muscle?

Doing 100 push-ups a day can be an impactful element of your overall strength-building and -maintaining routine. And you don't need to be at a gym to do them. “It's a quick and efficient way to strengthen some upper body muscles,” Rad says.

What is the wrong way of doing push-ups?

Perfect Your Pushup by Avoiding These 3 Mistakes
  • Mistake #1: You're not finish your reps. You'll often see guys in the gym repping out pushups as fast as possible. ...
  • Mistake #2: You're not going all the way down. ...
  • Mistake #3: You're raising your hips as you fatigue. ...
  • How to Do a Perfect Pushup.

Why do my elbows crack so much when I do push-ups?

Weak muscles – Weakness in the triceps or bicep muscles can result in instability of the elbow joint which could contribute to clicking sounds during exercise. Strengthening exercises such as triceps kickbacks and bicep curls will help improve overall stability and reduce clicking noises associated with push-ups.

What are the disadvantages of push-ups?

Push-up cons:
  • Can cause wrist, shoulder, or lower back pain if done with improper form.
  • May be challenging for beginners but too easy for advanced athletes.
  • Hard to add resistance as you get stronger.

Should I lock my elbows?

Locking the elbows puts them in a hyperextended state. Adding load, whether it's body weight while doing pushups or an external weight for presses, further increases the chance of overextending the joints, putting you at risk for injury.

How many pull-ups a day?

Beginner: Start with 2-3 sets of 3-5 pull-ups, 2-3 times per week. Intermediate: Aim for 3-4 sets of 6-10 pull-ups, 3-4 times per week. Advanced: Perform 4-5 sets of 10-15 pull-ups, 4-5 times per week, incorporating variations such as weighted pull-ups or different grip positions.

How to do push ups to avoid elbow pain?

As you lower your body, ensure your elbows form a 45-degree angle with your torso. This optimal position reduces strain on the elbow joints, promoting a smoother movement.

Why do elbows lock up?

There are many factors that may cause a frozen elbow including arthritis of the elbow, post-traumatic injury, bicep tendon tear, infection, and congenital and degenerative conditions.

What are the signs of too much pushups?

Performing a high volume of daily push-ups using common muscle groups may lead to overuse injuries. This is especially true when using a high training volume for multiple exercises. Common issues can include pain and inflammation in the chest, shoulders, elbows, and wrists.

Do push-ups ever get easier?

If you don't know how to do a push-up, it may feel a little awkward at first, but it will get easier.

Is it okay to do push-ups with golfers' elbows?

Pushups are designed to work your triceps, pectorals and shoulders, but you will have to bend your elbows repeatedly to do them. This means that you'll be increasing the strain on already injured elbow tendons. Another common exercise people should avoid when recovering from tennis elbow is chin-ups.

How do bodybuilders fix golfers elbow?

What are the Rehab options for Golfer's Elbow?
  1. Relative rest from the aggravating activities.
  2. Manual therapy.
  3. Strapping/bracing.
  4. Inflammation management.
  5. Graded strengthening of the flexor/pronator muscles and entire upper limb.

How to strengthen elbows?

Elbow bend

Stand up straight and lower your arm to one side. Bend your arm slowly upwards so your hand is touching your shoulder. Hold for 15-30 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Previous article
How much did Kobe Bryant bench press?
Next article
Is 20 pullups in a row hard?