knuckle push-ups on hard surfaces good?

[LoChu]

I recently started and mentioned it to a coworker who also studies MA but has done knuckle push-ups on hard surfaces longer. He was pleased about the increase in his number of reps but he wondered if the push-ups on a hard surface put too much strain on the knuckles and could lead to bad things like arthritis. Now I wonder the same thing.

Thoughts?

[Incredible Bulk]

i'd do them on matts TBH, i like having skin on my knuckles :)

[Llamageddon]

I think it depends on the kind of hard surface you're doing them on. I wouldn't recommend doing them on concrete for example ;)

But generally as long as you have good form (i.e. first two knuckles only, no shifting) it shouldn't cause any problems/complications. I have stupidly bony, sticky-outy knuckles and regularly do knuckle push ups on the dojo floor (sprung wood) and I haven't lost skin - in fact the skin is slightly tougher, but nothing that you could call a callus.

IMO I'd do them on a hard surface, but every now and again I'd temper it by doing them on a mat or carpet or whatever, just to prevent the build up of a reaqlly massive callus or whatever.

As for arthritis, I think there are worse things you can do. As I said earlier, as long as you aren't jumping about using your knuckles as landing gear I don't think there should be a problem

[Red Bull]

I've done them on hard surfaces such as concrete blocks. Never had any trouble with my hands and with time I developed thin calluses on my knuckles.

[Tartovski]

And the point of doing all these are?

[Llamageddon]

they make you look hard.

[unfetteredmind]

No, not good IMO.

[Damien Alexander]

They make you look hard?
How about if you do them no one was looking?
;)

When I was doing japanese systems(BEFORE van-damme was invented!)
We use to make contests out of push ups.
Knuckle push-ups with clapping in the middle on concrete floors.
Who could do the most knuckle push ups in gravel without stopping.
I had one friend who did white tiger and praying mantis kung fu who would do push ups with clapping in the middle,but he would land on the back of his hands while on concrete!
What did all this "prove"?! not a damn thing except we had issues!
We use to do a lot of breaking demos back then as well.
It was great for conditioning.
And to this very day; I have never had a single reprecussion from it.
BUT, I do know people who have.
I won't say yes or no. If you think it is necessary,go for it.
But your fate is in your own hands....so to speak ;)


Bammx2

[RobP]

We do knuckle pressups on all types of surface, never had anyone get problems through doing it

cheers

Rob

[axelb]

i do them on tiled floor sometimes, but mixed with other push ups.

I don't think there is a need to do loads of knuckle push ups, if you want to harden your knuckles it will happen over time with heavy bag work.

[unfetteredmind]

never had anyone get problems through doing it
Over how long a period? Arthritis from joint damage can take decades to develop.

[rtkd-badger]

Knuckle push ups, or the formation of the hand whilst doing knuckle pushups is the ideal setup for push ups.
What I would suggest is that you do push ups using a dumbbell to raise your knuckles off the floor, thus giving you the better workout without compromise to your hands

If you are working a heavy bag with no gloves your hands will harden up.
Even then I would suggest you use wraps at the least.

My point is,there is no point being the hardest ***** on the block if you cant hit a tissue without stirring up an old injury.

Cheers.

[Tartovski]

I guess that they are good for strengthening the wirsts, but as people here say - there are much better ways to strengthen the knuckles.

[RobP]

Over how long a period? Arthritis from joint damage can take decades to develop.

Up to 30 years + in the case of teachers. I think arthritis is more down to wearing away cartilage, hereditary factors or some diseases. I did more damage to my hands from breaking stuff years ago lol :rolleyes:

We dont really do them for conditioning, at least not of the knuckles, more for alignment and prioperception, also helps with some punching methods

cheers

Rob

[Athleng Nordic]

Not too much to worry about with just doing the push-ups on the hard surface. We learn to strike hard surfaces and have no problems. Peoples in the days of yore never worried about such things so I don't think you need too either.

If you were pounding your fist into the ground then you might have a concern. ;)

[Llamageddon]

Not too much to worry about with just doing the push-ups on the hard surface. We learn to strike hard surfaces and have no problems. Peoples in the days of yore never worried about such things so I don't think you need too either.

If you were pounding your fist into the ground then you might have a concern. ;)

Well said that man.

[BaiHer]

Hi,

As long as you do them in moderation there will be no problems. I do knuckle press ups, knuckle bounces, use a makiwara and sand/gravel bags for knuckle conditioning and have no problems (and neither does my instructor who has been doing it for a lot longer than me!), just take it easy and find a good source of Dit Dat Jou (Chinese Knuckle Medicine) and you'll be fine.

:)

[Knight_Errant]

I'd question the point in those practices. Unless you're fighting bareknuckle regularly, what's the point? And if you are fighting bareknuckle regularly, you probably need to look at your lifestyle a bit more closely. I mean, I do knuckle pushups on wood, but that's about as far as I'm prepared to take it.

[BaiHer]

What's the point? It's traditional martial arts training, it's supposed to be tough! Iron shirt and iron palm are an integral part of this type of training.

I don't fight bareknuckle but if I was forced to, I'd have conditioned enough hands to deal with it.

That's not to say I'd look for a situation, far from it. But deep down isn't one of the main reasons everyone trains is for that slim chance that one moment when we may need to use our art in a real life situation?