Fitness From the Pro

Push ups is one of the best full body exercises. There are push up techniques I’d like to share with you. Push ups are great for your chest, shoulder, and arms because you are using your own weight. They can also be done anywhere and usually without equipment.

Proper Push Up Techniques:

• Begin with hands on the floor directly underneath your shoulders.
• Extend your legs out behind you and stay up on your toes. (A modified version would be placing bent knees on the floor, and keep your feet in the air.)
• For both versions, keep your butt down, it does not stick up in the air.
• Inhale and lower your body towards the floor by bending your elbows.
• Exhale and push yourself up to a starting position.
• Repeat.

Some of you may have some wrist issues, so I suggest you place most of your weight on the palms of your hands. Another suggestion to help the wrists, is to grip a set of dumbbells or use specifically designed push up handles.

Another push up technique which will isolate the triceps is the Triceps Push Up. The technique is very similar to a basic push up except you place your arms closer together. When you lower your body down, the bent elbows should graze the sides of your ribs.

Triceps push ups are more difficult than a basic push up. As you get stronger progress onto more aggressive push ups.