How to Do Military Push-Ups

Pushups work the chest, arms and back; they also work your abdominals because you have to keep them very tight to keep your back from sagging during the exercise. There are many variations of the pushup, but the military pushup is considered the most difficult. The following steps explain how to do this kind of pushup.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Kneel on the floor, then lean forward to place your hands on the floor. Your fingers should face forward.

2. Tighten your abdominal muscles and raise your body until only your hands and toes are in contact with the floor. Ensure that your hands and elbows are directly below your shoulders and your arms are perpendicular to the floor. Keep your feet together.

3. Take care not to let your back sag. Keep your back straight and your hips above your knees.

4. Bend your elbows and lower your body until your forearms are parallel to the floor. Pause for one second, then push yourself back up. Don't lock your elbows at the top of the pushup.

5. Repeat the exercise in sets, resting briefly in between.

6. Vary your pushups by keeping your elbows next to your sides as you bend them, pointing your fingers toward each other, or placing your hands together under your torso. If you really feel ambitious, try one-handed pushups and let only your fingers and thumbs touch the floor. Finally, you can place your hands on the floor and your feet on a workout bench for pushups.

Tips & Warnings

• You can make pushups easier by spreading your feet apart. If you can't stay on your toes at all, drop to your knees until you become stronger.

Resources

• See if you have any hope for breaking a pushup world record.

Who Can Help Sponsored

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[liv4kenpo]

on 7/9/2008 how can the forearms be parallel to the floor the site you recommend for the world record says 90 degrees that would make the upper arm parallel to the floor which is correct