Workout Type:
Push
Difficulty Level:
Pre-Beginner
Equipment needed:
Floor

How to Do Negative Knee Push-ups

Negative knee push-ups are a great exercise for building upper body strength, particularly in the chest, shoulders, and triceps. This exercise involves lowering your body slowly to the ground, focusing on the eccentric phase of the push-up, which helps in muscle development and control.

Step By Step Guide to Properly Execute Negative Knee Push-ups

  1. Starting Position
    • Begin on your knees with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart on the floor. Keep your body in a straight line from your head to your knees, engaging your core and glutes.
  2. Execution
    • Slowly lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them at a 45-degree angle to your body. Focus on maintaining a straight line from your head to your knees.
  3. Top Position
    • Pause briefly just above the ground, ensuring your chest is close to the floor without touching it. Maintain tension in your muscles.
  4. Lowering Phase
    • Continue to lower your body with control until you are lying flat on the ground. Reset by pushing back up to the starting position or by getting back on your knees to begin the next repetition.

Benefits of Negative Knee Push-ups

  • Enhances upper body strength, particularly in the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
  • Improves muscle control and stability through the eccentric phase.
  • Serves as a progression towards full push-ups.
  • Can be performed anywhere with minimal equipment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Allowing the hips to sag or rise, which can lead to poor form and potential injury. Keep your body aligned.
  • Flaring elbows out too wide, which can strain the shoulders. Keep elbows at a 45-degree angle.
  • Rushing through the movement. Focus on a slow, controlled descent to maximize benefits.

Follow these steps and tips to master Negative Knee Push-ups with proper form and efficiency.

FAQ About Negative Knee Push-ups

How many negative knee push-ups should I do per set?

8-12 reps, 3 sets. Each rep should take 3-5 seconds on the way down. Lower yourself to the floor, then reset to the top position. Don't push back up. The whole point is building strength in the lowering phase.

How slow should I lower during negative knee push-ups?

3-5 seconds from top to floor. If you collapse before 3 seconds, your chest and triceps aren't ready yet. Start with 2-second lowers and add half a second each week. Most people hit 5-second negatives within 3 weeks of consistent training.

Will negative knee push-ups help me do full push-ups?

One of the best exercises for it. The negative builds the exact eccentric strength you're missing. Do 3 sets of 8 slow negatives, 3 times per week. Once you can do 10 reps at 4 seconds each, try a full knee push-up. Most people get there in 3-4 weeks.

What's the difference between negative knee push-ups and regular knee push-ups?

Regular knee push-ups go down and up. Negatives only go down. You lower yourself slowly, then reset at the top without pushing back up. This isolates the eccentric phase, which builds strength faster when you're too weak for the full movement.

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