Knuckle pushups
Posted by: Alicia
Knuckle pushups - 11/17/05 03:09 AM
I thought I already made this post, but I can't seem to find it.
Are knuckle pushup bad for your knuckles, the same way that heavy bag training without gloves can cause calcification and mess up you hands?
I always thought they were much safer than other knuckle strengthening methods, such as hitting makiwara post.
I used to bruise the hell out of my knuckles hitting one of those things (Makiwara post), and my hands would get skin up pretty bad hitting a 75lb vinly punching bag with no gloves on. That was about 8-9 years ago when I was about 13! (I know, I know, I was just a little idiot then...now I'm just an older idiot
Now the only type of actual knuckle conditioning I do is knuckle push ups on a hard floor.
I never experience pain while doing this exercise. I guess thats why I just assume them to be safer.
Posted by: Stylus
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/17/05 09:27 AM
When you say knuckle push ups,
do you mean on the knuckles or on the fists.
Because the knuckle one's are done only on the two or three joints that you strike with. The fist one's are done on the whole fist.
Posted by: Alicia
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/17/05 11:04 PM
I'm talking about the first two knuckles only. I didn't know people do fist pushups as well.
Posted by: Supremor
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/18/05 08:21 AM
I too am a big fan of knuckle push ups. Do them on a hard floor with the first two knuckles and keep your wrist straight.
I think it is a very safe conditioning method, because there is no impact, therefore you are unlikely to damage the joints themselves. You might want to start on a softer floor, before moving on to hard wood, since it prepares your wrists for the strain.
They are best used IMO for preparing the wrist for striking and teach one to keep the wrist straight when punching. Certainly a good excercise and pretty safe.
Posted by: gibran
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/19/05 02:53 AM
Isnt it index forefinger on a horizontal knuckle pushup
and ring/pinky on a vertical...or how did it go?
I do knuckle push ups with the weight on my pinky, ring, and fore finger knuckles (last 3). Never on my first two knuckles, (index, fore finger knuckles).
And the knuckle push ups I'm talking about are done with a vertical fist.
Posted by: JasonM
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/19/05 08:44 AM
Interesting...I have always done them on the first two knuckles. Since those are the two that ya hit with.
Do you think it has toughened up the last three knuckles?
Sure, I feel like its a safe way to condition my knuckles for hitting. And it just feels so much more natural, to me, to hit with my last 3 knuckles.
Posted by: JasonM
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/19/05 02:08 PM
Where you trained to use the last three, or just adopted it because it feels natural? I am hesitant about hitting witht he last three, cuz one time I did and broke those knuckles...
punching with the last three knuckles in my class earns you at least 10 push ups!!! because it's easier to break your pinky and ring finger knuckles.it makes sense to do it with my first 2 knuckles though it might feel natural to punch with last three it's not recomended to people who are just starting.i personally feel that with the right kinds of conditioning you can strike however you want but. i wouldn't suggest doing anything but first 2 knuckles when you are a beginner. hey dragon fire do you practice doing the full twist,3/4 twist,or vertical punch the way you are talking it seems that you do full twist cause the way you said it feels more natural to punch with the last 3 knuckles if this is so try doing a punch with only 3/4 turn with your elbow pointing down this way it's more natural to punch with the first 2 knuckles.sorry for derailing the thread so in lew of that i will say knuckle push ups are an excellent way to condition the wrist and knuckles for punching.even though i am just starting to do theese kinds of push ups outside of class i can already tell the difference when i strike the heavy bag i can punch much harder now with out folding my wrist.
Posted by: Supremor
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/19/05 05:16 PM
Quote:
Where you trained to use the last three, or just adopted it because it feels natural? I am hesitant about hitting witht he last three, cuz one time I did and broke those knuckles...
You obviously hadn't done enough press-ups on your last 3 knuckles! 
Oh, and I use my first two knuckles, because in TKD these are the principle striking knuckles. I guess it depends what style of punch you use.
Quote:
punching with the last three knuckles in my class earns you at least 10 push ups!!! because it's easier to break your pinky and ring finger knuckles.it makes sense to do it with my first 2 knuckles though it might feel natural to punch with last three it's not recomended to people who are just starting.i personally feel that with the right kinds of conditioning you can strike however you want but. i wouldn't suggest doing anything but first 2 knuckles when you are a beginner. hey dragon fire do you practice doing the full twist,3/4 twist,or vertical punch the way you are talking it seems that you do full twist cause the way you said it feels more natural to punch with the last 3 knuckles if this is so try doing a punch with only 3/4 turn with your elbow pointing down this way it's more natural to punch with the first 2 knuckles.sorry for derailing the thread so in lew of that i will say knuckle push ups are an excellent way to condition the wrist and knuckles for punching.even though i am just starting to do theese kinds of push ups outside of class i can already tell the difference when i strike the heavy bag i can punch much harder now with out folding my wrist.
Nice points ChickenChaser, but would you mind using a bit more punctuation. My eyes are hurting after reading your post!
so sorry i am working on that. i don't usually puncuate in forums. but people are complaining so i am trying to re teach myself to do it on here at least!!! sorry man
Posted by: Cownose
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/19/05 06:53 PM
Technically, punching with the last three is more correct as far as bone alignment goes. The force of the punch is also spread across 3 knuckles as opposed to 2, so it's not as unsafe as some may think.
Posted by: TaeKwonMiles
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/19/05 10:18 PM
Im not sure if there good or bad for your knuckles but I know from expiernce that if you do them, it hurts a lot less when you break a brick or board with your fist.
Posted by: Supremor
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/20/05 04:33 AM
Incidently, my instructor does knuckle push-ups, but he jumps while he does them. That has gotta hurt!
Posted by: Dereck
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/20/05 02:05 PM
Quote:
Technically, punching with the last three is more correct as far as bone alignment goes. The force of the punch is also spread across 3 knuckles as opposed to 2, so it's not as unsafe as some may think.
In most Taekwondo schools it is taught to punch only with the first two knuckles as the last three are more likely to break as being smaller bones. This obviously has been tested for numerous of years even before Taekwondo was invented and I have seen it in Karate and Kung Fu (much older arts). And this is the only way to safely break boards with your fist.
Now if you are a boxer or MMA fighter the last 3 knuckles are the easiest way to do it. Don't confuse this ever with being right or wrong as these type of fighters have their hands taped prior to putting on their gloves. This enforces the hand/knuckle area to prevent breaks.
For an example lets look at Mike Tyson. There is no doubt that this guy can hit and hit hard. Guy punches with his last three knuckles very effectively. This knuckle head years ago got into a fender bender and punched out the other driver AND broke both of his hands due to he is used to having his hands taped. If he would have hit with bare "un-taped" hands with this first two knuckles ... more then likely his hands would have been fine.
First two knuckles untaped ... last 3 knuckles when taped. I've never broken either hands when breaking boards ... a lot of boards ... when I use my first two knuckles ... as taught by "qualified" Instructors who know what they are talking about.
Posted by: Cownose
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/20/05 03:43 PM
Quote:
And this is the only way to safely break boards with your fist.
Not true. I don't regularly break boards because I don't consider it a valid training method, but awhile ago I took some (already broken) boards from a Taekwondo demo and had no problems breaking them into smaller pieces without adjusting my technique. When I punch I keep my wrist straight, meaning that I usually make contact with my last 3 knuckles. I don't think that it really matters at all which knuckles you hit with, I think it's really just a matter of knowing to keep your fist tight and having a strong grip.
With the Tyson thing, it's possible that his fists weren't as tight as they could have been because he's used to wearing gloves, or maybe he punches harder than his grip can handle, or maybe he was just hitting the guy in the skull. There's no way to tell, so you can't really use him as an example like that. You don't even know if he was really using his last 3 knuckles.
Posted by: NEAS
Re: Knuckle pushups Cownose - 11/20/05 08:45 PM
Perhaps try that technique on a concrete tile/slab/block or I can send you a description of my maki wari and then try it on that?. Please let me know the results?
Posted by: Cownose
Re: Knuckle pushups Cownose - 11/20/05 08:48 PM
Obviously, breaking concrete would take a certain amount of specialization in the area of breaking things. Luckily for me, humans are not as hard as concrete, and I don't need much help defending against inanimate objects.
Posted by: NEAS
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/20/05 09:04 PM
The damage to the two outer knuckles of a fist when striking concrete/tiles or other hard surfaces with the intent of breaking them would be the same as the damage to the two outer knuckles of the fist after striking some parts of the human anatomy.If you dont believe that then perhaps read about or even ask some top cage fighters what they think.
Posted by: Cownose
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/20/05 09:11 PM
I assume you're talking about the first two knuckles, the inner knuckles. The only part of the human anatomy (that you might actually punch) that would come close is the skull. I've never punched a skull and I don't plan on it; it's not a very smart place to punch. However, I would much rather hit a skull than a slab of concrete, because one of them is harder and has no give.
Posted by: NEAS
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/20/05 09:33 PM
If a person puts their hand palm down on a table then its the two outer knuckles that are the weakest(3rd and 4th knuckles from the thumb)
Skull yes and the jaw,temples(normal target area in Martial Arts)forehead and the cheek bone. Breaking of hard objects(not re usuable objects) is mandotary in some styles of martial arts to get higher grades.
Posted by: Cownose
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/20/05 09:38 PM
I'm talking about punching with the last 3 knuckles, not the last 2.
The jaw, temples, and cheek bones are not nearly as hard as concrete. I don't need to read anything or ask any "cage fighters" to know that. As for breaking hard objects being part of MA gradings, I'm not really concerned about that. I hope that everyone here cares more about how well they fight rather than what color belt they have.
Limiting a students technique to a certain "way" or making breaking a part of a grading system is just plain ridiculous. Its part of the problem with martial arts today, they are still stuck in the past!
We have something known as science, and believe it or not...if you take a scientific approach to the martial arts/strengthening you will find a better, more effecient way to train than the traditional way.
Don't do something because your instructor says so...
Do it because it works for you.
Posted by: Cord
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/21/05 08:58 AM
I have to say, I was going to avoid posting on this thread as i was sure my opinion would open a can of worms, but now that Cownose has taken the flak, I will bring up the rear
Personaly, I see absolutely no comlimenatry benefit to punching from knuckle press ups. Like Cownose I have always found that striking with the wrist in natural alignment results in me impacting with the outer most 3 knuckles, like cownose I find this effective, and has not left me with any knuckle injuries whan I have had to do it.
As Dragonfire has said, it is down to you to find your own best practice, through appraisal, trial and error and common sense.
As for knuckle pushups, I think we are all in agreement that neuromuscular coodination, timing and technique are what make up the bulk of a good punch, any strength that you can bring to the mix via conditioning will help, but as it is not an overriding factor, such subtleties as hand position become moot. As long as the chest, delts and triceps get the stimulus to imrove from
any push up/pressing movement, they will bring this to the punching party.
Knuckle pushups are a good tool for MA instructors as A) they are easy to get large numbers (a class) to take part in and offer good basic conditioning, and B) because they create discomfort, particularly to beginners, they are a useful tool in building character, and guaging dedication/mindset of new students.
Posted by: JasonM
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/21/05 11:05 AM
I agree with that breaking being in a grading doesn't make sense. My core art never has and never will have breaking apart of a test.
This thread is definitely interesting, because I never thought of using the last three knuckles. I have always trained to use the first two, and when looking at the fist and the alignment, sure enought it aligns the wrist. When using the firs two the wrists is bent a little bit...
Posted by: Dereck
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/21/05 12:33 PM
Board breaking has been discussed before in the Martial Art Forum. In our grading board breaking is mandatory and when breaking boards with the fist, the index/middle finger knuckles are taught to be used and I would think through trial and error and scientifically backup from centuries with Karate and Kung Fu, etc. We could probably argue this to death no doubt so in the best interest of everybody we will agree to disagree.
Board breaking is nothing more then another tool … which some don't like to use … but it should not be dismissed either. One of the biggest reasons we do board breaking is to teach commitment. In order to break anything you have to believe and you have to commit. If you don't commit you will learn very quickly how much it hurts. Using bags, focus mitts, slammer shields, wave masters, etc. are also tools but you are less likely to hurt yourself and thus you do not have to commit as much in order to use these tools. I know without a doubt when I hit it will be hard and what I hit will break whether wood, plastic or somebody's face.
One of the biggest benefits I got from board breaking is learning a technique better. When elbow smashing I learned to use my whole body. When punching I learned which knuckles to use to prevent injury to my hand. When front kicking I learned to pull back my toes. When step side kicking I learned not to push but to chamber my leg and thrust through. When back kicking I learned to turn my head first so that I could see the target and to keep my leg in close and kick back like a mule. When speed chopping I learned to use my whole body plus where on my hand would incur the most damage to the object, and not to scoop up but go right through. For jump front kicking I learned how to gain the most height by using my whole body as well again pulling back my toes. For back roundhouse I learned not to swing the kick but to turn my head and kick straight back and then pull it through. For ax kick I learned to pivot my foot and chamber my knee prior to raising my leg and bringing down. With jump spin return kick … well this is a little more fancy but it definitely has taught me that I can switch feet quickly and back kick somebody with power.
Can these be learned without board breaking … of course, no question. I could do the techniques when taught to me and practiced but not until I actually did the board breaking was I able to refine the techniques even more. With board breaking you have to be precise, who have to believe and you have to commit. I think many would be surprised if they never board broke and were asked to do it that things are not as easy as they appear.
My two cents … not looking for people to tell me I'm wrong or that I'm practicing out of date practices. Each to their own training and whatever makes you stronger. Board breaking has made me stronger … there is no question … there is no doubt. I hit … it breaks … I believe because I committed.
Posted by: JasonM
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/21/05 01:23 PM
Good post and I agree with you. It works for you, then use it. And i was gonna reply and say you could learn these things without breaking, but you covered it.
When I was younger and made the rank of 1st or 2nd brown belt, I wanted to try my skill at breaking. Like I said, in my dojo we don't practice breaks. Anyway, I had my father and wife, too funny, cuz my wife was behind him to brace for the impact. So, I got some BALLS and was going to try and break a 2x10. Not a standart board for breaking, but I was going to try it nonetheless. Welp, I commited, focused and broke right through, and almost punched my dad in the chest. No injury, didn't think my technique could have improved because my punch was like i was taught and I never bgroke a board in my life before that time. Not sure if my story has an real bearing, but i wanted to share it and whatever works for anyone, then use it.
Posted by: Dereck
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/21/05 06:08 PM
Good stuff MrMoyer. The elbow smash the the punch are the first two board breaks we learn as they are some of the easier ones ... not to take away from anything you've done or anybody else. The most difficult that I have come across is the jump front kick as it has to be at least 1 fist high (to get height and toes back) and the back roundhouse (not to swing and be precise). The jump spin return kick on one of my sides is a little off but lots of power. Sorry Dave ... I think I broke his hand when I missed.
Posted by: Alicia
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/23/05 12:17 AM
So, they're safe. Why are they so much more difficult to do than regular pushups?
Posted by: Cord
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/23/05 02:14 AM
When you do normal push ups, do you tend to have the elbows bend out to the side of the body, more like the arm movement in bench press? If so, then when you go onto knuckle push ups you are changing the angle of the movement in the upper arm, you will find the elbows running close to the body- this is actualy more like doing horizontal parallel dips.
This change in arm position, places different stresses on the muscles because they are not used to working through this particular range of movement. It just takes time to adapt to the new task, but you will improve quickly if you are used to doing pusg ups in general.
Posted by: BrianS
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/23/05 04:15 AM
Quote:
When you do normal push ups, do you tend to have the elbows bend out to the side of the body, more like the arm movement in bench press? If so, then when you go onto knuckle push ups you are changing the angle of the movement in the upper arm, you will find the elbows running close to the body- this is actualy more like doing horizontal parallel dips.
This change in arm position, places different stresses on the muscles because they are not used to working through this particular range of movement. It just takes time to adapt to the new task, but you will improve quickly if you are used to doing pusg ups in general.
Yep! I've been doing knuckle pushups for years(I did have breaks though,lol.). I do them on the first two knuckles,on the asphalt,pavement,piles of gravel,etc... All that doesn't make them any tougher,but it calouses the skin up. I can do better with knuckle push ups than regular ones. My wrist bothers me when it's bent with all that weight on them.
It's like anything else,you want to get better at it,do it more.(What ever could I be referring to?)
*disco lights come on,porn music in the background*
Posted by: Cord
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/23/05 04:19 AM
Cord waits nervously for questions about increasing stamina, reps and effect on core muscles from BrianS
Posted by: Alicia
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/23/05 10:56 PM
ahem.
easy there ...
That makes a lot more sense - different muscle groups that need to be trained. I'll keep workin on it.
Why do knuckle pushups on asphalt? You crazy?
Has anyone tried knuckle pushups on glass???
Quote:
Has anyone tried knuckle pushups on glass???
now thats crazy
Posted by: Alicia
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/23/05 11:21 PM
oh damn.
I meant to say,
"BROKEN GLASS."
Posted by: JoelM
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/23/05 11:21 PM
On glass, no, but I've done them on very rough concrete (it was a punishment, but I made myself do them outside). It wasn't that bad (that I remember).
Posted by: BrianS
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/24/05 12:26 AM
Quote:
ahem.
easy there ...
That makes a lot more sense - different muscle groups that need to be trained. I'll keep workin on it.
Why do knuckle pushups on asphalt? You crazy?
Has anyone tried knuckle pushups on glass???
I've done knuckle push-ups in piles of gravel,on asphalt,the ground,on the side of the interstate,in wal-mart,on patio blocks,etc...It's been a while for either though.None of it was as bad as you would think. Especially when it's real cold out,then you can't feel much on the asphalt anyway.
Posted by: Alicia
Re: Knuckle pushups - 11/24/05 10:53 AM
... I can't say the same thing for myself.
I'd have to work on normal knuckle pushups before attempting anything like that.
If you want to learn what knuckles to punch with DONT ask a TKD instructor or a Kung Fu instructor or an Aikido instructor... ask a BOXING INSTRUCTOR. Boxing instructors know more about proper punching technique than any other martial arts instructor would. Boxing instructor says: "DONT PUNCH WITH THE LAST 2 F#%$ING KNUCKLES..... EVER"
Posted by: Dereck
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/14/06 12:19 AM
Hmmm ... I do TKD and I have always been taught to punch with the first two knuckles. I can't speak for Aikido, but those that break boards such as Taekwondo do know the proper way of punching!
Many boxer punch with "all of their knuckles" but this is due to they are taped and wrapped and fitted with a glove so they stand to be safer when punching this way. In fact years ago in a car accident good ole' Mike Tyson punched out somebody and broke both of his hands because he was so use to punching his way. But I think good boxing trainers know the proper way of punching and also agree not to punch with the last two knuckles as these are smaller bones and easier to break.
And this topic has been
. (And I thought I'd never get to use this.
)
Breaking boards is NOWHERE near to the stress of punching a skull as hard as you can for 20 minutes. The boards break, this absorbs alot of the energy.
They wrap their hands because they may ACCIDENTALLY hit with the other knuckles and also because your wrist and hand are going to be under IMMENSE pressure for the duration of a fight.
It is still NEVER ok to punch someone in a fight with the last 2 knuckles (even in combination with others). NO ONE SHOULD EVER DO THAT.
Also. Mike Tyson broke his forearm. Not his hand. The pressure went through his knuckles and broke the arm bone.
Posted by: crablord
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/14/06 04:40 AM
In our boxing/karate class we are taught to punch with the first two knuckles, this isnt to prevent your arm breaking though, its so your hand aligns with your arm, which your putting your body weight into. It basicly makes your punches harder.
EDIT - By the way i cant see any reason not to punch with your last 2 knuckles, but theres more power the other way
Posted by: ANDY44
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/14/06 04:34 PM
Hi there
If a person punches with the last two knuckles(3rd and 4th from the thumb) and hits a hard target then the knuckle/s
become damaged
me thinks!
Posted by: JasonM
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/14/06 04:54 PM
Me thinks you thinking is wrong. They "disappear"?
I actually broke thos knuckles. They didn't disappear but they swole up enough that they didn't look like knuckles. Maybe that is what you are referring to.
Posted by: ANDY44
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/14/06 05:11 PM
I will research the medical term and re post
Posted by: ANDY44
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/14/06 05:13 PM
I know a guy whos knuckle dissapeared after breaking it multiple times. They CAN dissappear.
And no, you don't just punch with the first two knuckles for alignment. Point your fist straight out forward from you. right now. Look, does the first fingers knuckle look in line with your forearm? No... BUT it is such a strong knuckle that you use it because the ring finger will break if you use it.
Posted by: crablord
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/14/06 06:49 PM
actually, you turn your wrist so it does align. lol
Hold your hand out in front of you as if doing the hitler thing. Now make a fist (keeping your arm out the same way). Look at your index knuckle. it isn't in line with your forearm. However, your middle finger is. This is correct alignment.
You should not be contorting your hand to put the index finger in line with your arm. This puts your wrist in an awkward position.
Posted by: crablord
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/15/06 02:14 AM
actually, it doesnt, do your little hitler thing then turn your wrist to the left. It may seem awkward but if you learn to punch like that its stronger.
Posted by: ANDY44
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/15/06 03:29 AM
I
Posted by: ANDY44
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/15/06 03:32 AM
In a hitler thing out stretched right arm.
You turn your right hand to the left means punching with the wrong knuckles doesnt it?
Unless your throwing an upper cut with that hand? In which case that is correct
Bit confusing that part.
Posted by: ANDY44
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/15/06 03:48 AM
Me thinks you thinking is wrong. They "disappear"?
I actually broke thos knuckles. They didn't disappear but they swole up enough that they didn't look like knuckles. Maybe that is what you are referring to
It might be that it is the people who can punch very, very hard and some how punch incorrectly that the knuckles seem to dissapear.
Posted by: crablord
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/15/06 04:45 AM
Posted by: ANDY44
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/15/06 05:40 AM
In my entire life I have never been so confused..WHY ARE YOU ARGUING WITH YOURSELF!?!??!?? AARRRGGG
Hi there
Capital letters indicate shouting dont they?
Not that I am bothered but some might be.
The confused part.
Perhaps that comes with age? and only having a short life?
Cant realy help you there bro.If you are young you are young
but i could give you some pointers for self help.
I belive meditation might help to clear the confused mind.
Being in Australia on a beach with all the sounds of waves etc.using a lap top.
Listening to Cd.s with the sounds of waves has been said to help people if you dont live near the coast.
People get confused when they are
Overwhelmed with too much information
Given too many options
Bored
Use jargon
Spoken to in abstractions
Although what I typed doesnt seem confusing to me like I said
It would seem that people who have a powerfull punch and
hit something hard with the two outer knuckles then one of the two outer knuckles seem to disappear?
Nothing confusing here bro.
Hope this helped
Any way how is your punching practice?
Im going to do mine now.
Nice talking
Posted by: crablord
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/15/06 08:39 AM
ima pimp slap you so bad lol
First of all, let me say, I'm a knuckle pushup fanatic. In fact I'm doing them now between sentences. In a real fight situation, you'll more than likely not have sparring gloves readily accessible, so if you foresee a real confrontation in your future, you should toughen the knuckles. There are two components of knuckle conditioning: the bone, and the skin. Both are equally important. Think of covering a battering ram with paper and crashing through some doors. Needles to say, the paper isn't going to last very long. The same goes for strong skin and weak bones. The latter isn't too realistic as the best skin conditioning method, knuckle pushups, also strengthen the bone to a degree. However, if you're hitting the makiwara or some other hard surface, knuckle pushups primarily work the skin.
When I started MA, I lived in a hectic home environment. WHenever I'd get frustrated, I'd hit a brick wall as hard as I could. Maybe it was the adrenaline, the anger, or perhaps it was that my body was too used to pain, but it never hurt. Within a week--one WEEK!--the two top knuckles on each fist (mostly the right as I'd usually hit with this one) got HUGE, and haven't gotten smaller since. I continue to hit hard solid objects full blast and do hundreds of knuckle pushups (I did, haven't the past six months, starting up again as of yesterday) I love the way my knuckles look. Now I've begun conditioning the last three knuckles. I hit with the top two, but why not train them all? Besides, there is one angle at which I would use the other three to strike.
For all those who think that knuckle conditioning is harmful, well, I don't know one way or another, but as for me, my hands are no different from before I started conditioning them. There isn't as of yet scientific backup discouraging the practice, yet there are clear benefits, so I say, do it!
So that's my speech for the day.
G2g, knuckle pushups to do!
Posted by: Cord
Re: Knuckle pushups - 07/10/08 05:22 PM
Quote:
First of all, let me say, I'm a knuckle pushup fanatic. In fact I'm doing them now between sentences. In a real fight situation, you'll more than likely not have sparring gloves readily accessible, so if you foresee a real confrontation in your future, you should toughen the knuckles. There are two components of knuckle conditioning: the bone, and the skin. Both are equally important. Think of covering a battering ram with paper and crashing through some doors. Needles to say, the paper isn't going to last very long. The same goes for strong skin and weak bones. The latter isn't too realistic as the best skin conditioning method, knuckle pushups, also strengthen the bone to a degree. However, if you're hitting the makiwara or some other hard surface, knuckle pushups primarily work the skin.
When I started MA, I lived in a hectic home environment. WHenever I'd get frustrated, I'd hit a brick wall as hard as I could. Maybe it was the adrenaline, the anger, or perhaps it was that my body was too used to pain, but it never hurt. Within a week--one WEEK!--the two top knuckles on each fist (mostly the right as I'd usually hit with this one) got HUGE, and haven't gotten smaller since. I continue to hit hard solid objects full blast and do hundreds of knuckle pushups (I did, haven't the past six months, starting up again as of yesterday) I love the way my knuckles look. Now I've begun conditioning the last three knuckles. I hit with the top two, but why not train them all? Besides, there is one angle at which I would use the other three to strike.
For all those who think that knuckle conditioning is harmful, well, I don't know one way or another, but as for me, my hands are no different from before I started conditioning them. There isn't as of yet scientific backup discouraging the practice, yet there are clear benefits, so I say, do it!
So that's my speech for the day.
G2g, knuckle pushups to do!
So thats the secret huh? Hitting walls as hard as possible. Question for you: Do you think that your knuckles miraculously calcified over 7 days, or do you think the increase in size was due to swelling and inflamation of the joints?
Good luck with your choices, but as advice goes, your post is the very heart of what is wrong with the internet.
Welcome to the forums.
Posted by: MattJ
Re: Knuckle pushups - 07/10/08 07:15 PM
Mmmmm......yeah. Punching walls and other solid objects full-force is just stupid. Don't do it. I can still RNC you and your huge knuckles.
Posted by: UKfightfreak
Re: Knuckle pushups - 07/27/08 11:20 AM
Quote:
I thought I already made this post, but I can't seem to find it.
Are knuckle pushup bad for your knuckles, the same way that heavy bag training without gloves can cause calcification and mess up you hands?
I got a little lost on this post with all the bickering, so I thought I would put in a direct answer to your questions.
There is nothing wrong with knuckle push-ups per se. But if you want to 'strenthen' your knuckles, I'm sorry, you can't, bones are not muscles (before anyone jumps on the sematics that heavy squatting can increase bone density, save it - we are talking about tiny bones on your hands).
I would only really recommend doing these on carpet or a soft surface. Pretty pointless otherwise.
So, what are you wanting to do knuckle push-ups for? They are good if you have issues with regular push-ups (see http://hundredpushups.com/what.html ). If you want to strenthen your hands and wrists for punching, there are much better ways of doing this e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Lees-Inch-Po...1143&sr=8-1
is a great book for this.
Finally, if you are going to ignore this advice, or your instructor insists on getting you to knuckle push ups for some reason, you will see a lot of 'should it be the first two or the last three knuckles'.
Easy answer, stick to what you are taught in your Martial Art. Most Karate, Kickboxing and TKD I have seen punch with the first two. Pretty much all the Chinese MA I have seen punch with the bottom three. If your not sure, generally MAs that punch palm down use the top two (because it aligns the bone) and MAs that punch palm to the side use the bottom three (because it aligns the bone in this position).
Note the 1 & 3 inch punch book develops strenth for the Chinese version but still is generally a great book for wrist strength (and sorry no knucle push ups in there!).
Hope this helps.
I see knuckle push-ups as a way to get your knuckles used to the strain. If you're used to a certain amount, it doesn't bother you as much when you punch something. At least, that's how it is for me.
Posted by: karate_popo
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/01/08 10:00 AM
the knuckle pushups we do are on our first two knuckles, because those are the two that you are supposed to punch with, if you punch with the others, they break...
Posted by: ThomsonsPier
Re: Knuckle pushups - 08/01/08 12:11 PM
I find it depends on the orientation of the hands (as with a punch). If the fists are held parallel to the body, then better alignment is achieved by using the lower three knuckles; if perpendicular, the first two knuckles are preferable. One is no better than the other. When I do knuckle push-ups (which isn't that often), I have my fists aligned in the orientation with which I punch.
I have noticed that the perpendicular fist position seems to work the chest more and the parallel the arms, but that might just be me.
Posted by: lamboXfan
Re: Knuckle pushups - 12/13/10 09:39 AM
erm....i dont know..but to me, the knuckle push up feels more natural than the normal push up. It also seems to work the chest muscles more as it provides more depth, kinda like when using a push up bar i guess.
Posted by: bigtrees
Re: Knuckle pushups - 07/06/11 12:14 PM
Great thread! I have a question though - when doing push ups on the first two knuckles, should any part of the back of the first finger be touching the ground or should that finger be lifted off the ground so that only the two knuckles are touching the ground?
Thanks!
Posted by: 47MartialMan
Re: Knuckle pushups - 07/11/11 11:11 PM
Mmmmm......yeah. Punching walls and other solid objects full-force is just stupid. Don't do it. I can still RNC you and your huge knuckles. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
I AGREE
Posted by: 47MartialMan
Re: Knuckle pushups - 07/11/11 11:14 PM
erm....i dont know..but to me, the knuckle push up feels more natural than the normal push up. It also seems to work the chest muscles more as it provides more depth, kinda like when using a push up bar i guess.
No. It doesnt add strength or work to the chest like a push up bar.
The position of the hands on a push up bar are palms up.
If you take the same positions on the floor, your palms would be down on the floor, not the knuckles.
A knuckle push up can add a little strength development in the wrist
