Short answer: Stop painful repetitions, use a higher incline, keep elbows from flaring directly sideways and reduce volume. Do not force a narrow grip. Seek a qualified professional for persistent, worsening, traumatic or function-limiting pain.
Check elbow path
Use hands around shoulder width and let elbows angle roughly 30–45 degrees from the torso. Extreme flare or an aggressively narrow grip may feel uncomfortable.
Reduce load
Use wall or incline push-ups and stop before the painful range. Avoid failure and temporarily remove explosive, weighted and deep-deficit work.
Manage volume
A rapid increase in daily reps can exceed tolerance. Add recovery days and rebuild one variable at a time.
When to seek care
Get assessed after trauma or with severe pain, swelling, weakness, numbness, locking or symptoms that persist. Also review wrist and shoulder guidance.
Return to battles only when reps are pain-free
RepSaga can make gradual training rewarding, but no streak is worth ignoring elbow symptoms.
Frequently asked
Should I push through elbow pain?
No. Reduce or stop the aggravating movement and seek help if symptoms persist.
Are close-grip push-ups bad for elbows?
Not automatically, but forcing a very narrow position may be uncomfortable for some people.