How to Do Clap Pushups
Doing clap pushups is an effective way to build muscle in your arms and chest. A "clap" pushup differs from an ordinary pushup by having you clap your hands between repetitions. It's a fairly simple exercise that requires small bursts of strength to thrust your body upward while in pushup position. Performing these special pushups will help you gain and maintain upper body strength.
Instructions
-
-
1
Find space on a solid floor and stretch your body out into pushup position. You should be facedown, legs straight, with your arms on the floor shoulder-width apart. Only your hands and toes should be touching the floor.
-
2
Place a cushion or pillow on the floor below your head. This will prevent injury if you cannot do the clap pushup right away, or if you make a mistake.
-
-
3
Lower your body to the floor just as you would with a regular pushup, using only your arms. Keep your legs and back straight and get as low as you can without actually touching the floor.
-
4
Use all of the strength in your arms to thrust yourself upward. Your body will lift slightly into the air, allowing you to quickly clap your hands. Quickly return your hands to their place on the floor before you begin to drop back down, and you should once again be in pushup position. If you mess up, the cushion will break your fall, so just keep trying until you get it.
-
5
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 as many times as you can. Increasing repetitions will help you to build strength more quickly.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
As your strength improves, you should be able thrust yourself higher into the air, allowing you to do more claps between pushups. This is a good way to observe the progress of your strength training.
If you're a beginner, be careful when attempting clap pushups. You may want to start out with regular pushups and work your strength up to the level of clap pushups. Inadequate strength could lead to injury.
