Kuckle push-ups: Good or bad for joints?

[irishScott]

Do these make you prone to arthritis/joint problems later in life? My wrists feel a little weird after doing 30 or so regular push-ups, so I figured I'd switch to these just to be safe (they're supposed to strengthen the wrists anyway). I like push ups in general, so I'll probably be doing them consistently for the long haul. However, I also play the piano and would like to be able to do so a decade or 2 down the line.

Any links to articles/studies on this? My google-ing's brought up a lot of internet opinions, but few scientifically verified sources.

 

[SearchMaster]

When I do pushups (somewhat rarely), I have to do knuckle pushups because my wrists can't handle regular pushups. I'm about twice your age though It's fun to do pushups with my kids on my back when we're on vacation and no gym equipment around

 

[presidentender]

I do knuckle pushups on hard surfaces to strengthen my knuckles for hitting things. It's been too long since I started for me to remember where the pain was. If it hurts, take some time off and let whatever's in pain heal, then go back to it.

 

[coreyb]

Do half knuckle push-ups and the other half finger push-ups.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: presidentender
I do knuckle pushups on hard surfaces to strengthen my knuckles for hitting things. It's been too long since I started for me to remember where the pain was. If it hurts, take some time off and let whatever's in pain heal, then go back to it.

What!? Strengthen your knuckles? They aren't even muscles - they are bones. Bones don't get stronger from getting destroyed...

To answer your question, knuckle push ups really have no affect on intensity or anything. It is honestly whatever feels the best. Try doing diamond, wide body, or another form of push up to see if that helps at all.

Also, things like bench press, seated bench press, skull crushers, and others can work the same things better with more gains than push ups.

-Kevin

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: presidentender
I do knuckle pushups on hard surfaces to strengthen my knuckles for hitting things. It's been too long since I started for me to remember where the pain was. If it hurts, take some time off and let whatever's in pain heal, then go back to it.

What!? Strengthen your knuckles? They aren't even muscles - they are bones. Bones don't get stronger from getting destroyed...

To answer your question, knuckle push ups really have no affect on intensity or anything. It is honestly whatever feels the best. Try doing diamond, wide body, or another form of push up to see if that helps at all.

Also, things like bench press, seated bench press, skull crushers, and others can work the same things better with more gains than push ups.

-Kevin

I'm sure he meant strengthening as in toughening up the knuckles. The more you abuse your knuckles, the less you feel in them obviously. If he didn't mean this, then you're right in correcting him.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: presidentender
I do knuckle pushups on hard surfaces to strengthen my knuckles for hitting things. It's been too long since I started for me to remember where the pain was. If it hurts, take some time off and let whatever's in pain heal, then go back to it.

What!? Strengthen your knuckles? They aren't even muscles - they are bones. Bones don't get stronger from getting destroyed...

To answer your question, knuckle push ups really have no affect on intensity or anything. It is honestly whatever feels the best. Try doing diamond, wide body, or another form of push up to see if that helps at all.

Also, things like bench press, seated bench press, skull crushers, and others can work the same things better with more gains than push ups.

-Kevin

I'm sure he meant strengthening as in toughening up the knuckles. The more you abuse your knuckles, the less you feel in them obviously. If he didn't mean this, then you're right in correcting him.

Maybe hardening the skin or something (Which might soften a blow from the fist), but if you are purposely destroying your knuckles they are not going to get stronger or any more resistant to pain - they are bones and ligaments.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: presidentender
I do knuckle pushups on hard surfaces to strengthen my knuckles for hitting things. It's been too long since I started for me to remember where the pain was. If it hurts, take some time off and let whatever's in pain heal, then go back to it.

What!? Strengthen your knuckles? They aren't even muscles - they are bones. Bones don't get stronger from getting destroyed...

To answer your question, knuckle push ups really have no affect on intensity or anything. It is honestly whatever feels the best. Try doing diamond, wide body, or another form of push up to see if that helps at all.

Also, things like bench press, seated bench press, skull crushers, and others can work the same things better with more gains than push ups.

-Kevin

I'm sure he meant strengthening as in toughening up the knuckles. The more you abuse your knuckles, the less you feel in them obviously. If he didn't mean this, then you're right in correcting him.

Maybe hardening the skin or something (Which might soften a blow from the fist), but if you are purposely destroying your knuckles they are not going to get stronger or any more resistant to pain - they are bones and ligaments.

The only thing that sends pain signals to your brain are the neurons -not your bones or ligaments. When you "train" them, those neurons are often damaged or killed. I can guarantee you that fighters have very few neurons in their fists. It's not necessarily a bad thing, especially if the pain from that would hinder you to any extent. Many people actually have to train to get their pain tolerance up in sports like Muay Thai. This is done by punching/kicking soft(er) banana trees. It doesn't damage you as a whole, but does toughen up your knuckles and damage neurons.

 

[coreyb]

I do Muay Thai and we toughen up our fists by hitting thai pads and heavy bags. This alone is enough to toughen up your fists/knuckles/shins so that you can fight with the least amount of pain.

 

[coreyb]

some people do knuckle push-ups to put more emphasis on wrist strength though. not sure if it works, but thats my understanding of it.