Most people think, “Just push harder,” but that’s like telling a crying toddler to just calm down. It doesn’t work. Your shoulder joint is a shallow socket—it’s literally the loosest joint in your body. That’s why it can spin around like a breakdancer, but also why it can pop out like a bad joke.
Surprising fact: your shoulder can dislocate forward, backward, or even downward. That’s three different ways to ruin your day. Push ups done wrong are basically an invitation for one of those escapes.
The Secret Culprit: Your Stupid Elbows
Here’s where it gets hilarious. You blame your shoulders, but the real villain is often your elbows. When you flare your elbows out like chicken wings, you jam your shoulder’s rotator cuff into a tiny space. That’s like trying to shove a suitcase into an overhead bin that’s already full of yoga mats.
Fix this: keep your elbows at a 45-degree angle to your body. Your shoulders will thank you by not filing a formal complaint.
