Comments on: How to Do a Proper Push-Up

on 9/5/2008 I'm not sure I've ever done a push-up using the starting position mentioned in this article. I'm usually starting at Step 6 and then everything else is the same. It seems rather odd to start on the floor since you should never touch the floor when doing a push-up.

The quickest way to make a push-up more difficult is to increase the distance from your hands to the floor so that you can increase your range of motion.

For those interested in push-ups, you might be interested in the 100 push-ups in 100 seconds challenge: http://www.parttimepersonaltrainer.com/2008/09/05/100-push-ups-in-100-seconds-challenge/

on 6/19/2008 Need more challenge? Few more variations:

- Hands at head level

- Normal pushup setup but keep your elbows close to your body when doing the pushup. This is the plank move in yoga.

- Bring your hands together forming a triangle with your index fingers and thumbs. You really give your triceps a workout and require using other upper body muscles to balance yourself.

- Don't forget the ultimate: One arm pushups!!

on 6/19/2008 When I went to a gymnastics class the teacher made us do 1 1/2 push up. What you do is go down then go up half way, then back down again and then up on last time. It's very hard but worth a try.

on 3/16/2008 anonymous wrote a lot for a comment

on 1/17/2008 Instead of doing one long stretch of push-ups, its better to do it in sets. For example, you can try doing 3 sets of 15 each, giving a pause of 60 seconds. This is for a start, and depending upon the stamina you have you can increase it gradually. This way the muscles can relax in between and the contraction action is repeated sufficient times for the metabolism to pick up.

on 1/17/2008 Instead of doing one long stretch of push-ups, its better to do it in sets. For example, you can try doing 3 sets of 15 each, giving a pause of 60 seconds. This is for a start, and depending upon the stamina you have you can increase it gradually. This way the muscles can relax in between and the contraction action is repeated sufficient times for the metabolism to pick up.

on 5/29/2007 Try turning your head and looking to the side. It will keep you from droping your head down when you get tired and therefore aid in keeping your back straight.

on 5/28/2007 This is EXACTLY what I need to do...

on 5/28/2007 further to my last comment...I have lowered myself a bit using a weightbench now as the base for my hands. I have also started working more on my tricepts.

on 2/12/2007 I have a BAD elbow and find that regular pushups put a strain on the affected area. I now do pushups where I stand with my hands on top of two chairs. This helps alot. Although I do have to stop after about 5 sets of 12. they are about 2 1/2 feet high fold chair. Does anyone have anymore suggestions? maybe throwing a backpack on with a weight in it?

on 1/12/2007 I need to do 18 push ups in a month for a test, and I have 0 upper body strength I can do 10, but that is with a lot of struggle. Are there any excerises that I can do or tips to help?

on 4/19/2008 instead of hands flat on the ground, make a fist. the energy transmission is straight to your arms and chest rather then making the bend at the wrists wich is also harmfull for regular push up pro's. as well instead of your toes on the floor rest your feet flat on the floor so they look almost like a ballet dancer. this lets the wieght fall fully on your upper body rather then havnig your legs do work as well. and of course every time you do pushups focus on a certain muscle you wish to tone and try to push up with that muscle (shoulder, chest, back, tricepts) and vary the width of your stance. this also helps to strengthen desired muscle groups. push-ups is the greatest, cheapest, quickest way to stay in shape. keep it up avid push uppers

on 12/16/2006 instead of hands flat on the ground, make a fist. the energy transmission is straight to your arms and chest rather then making the bend at the wrists wich is also harmfull for regular push up pro's. as well instead of your toes on the floor rest your feet flat on the floor so they look almost like a ballet dancer. this lets the wieght fall fully on your upper body rather then havnig your legs do work as well. and of course every time you do pushups focus on a certain muscle you wish to tone and try to push up with that muscle (shoulder, chest, back, tricepts) and vary the width of your stance. this also helps to strengthen desired muscle groups. push-ups is the greatest, cheapest, quickest way to stay in shape. keep it up avid push uppers

on 4/12/2008 instead of hands flat on the ground, make a fist. the energy transmission is straight to your arms and chest rather then making the bend at the wrists wich is also harmfull for regular push up pro's. as well instead of your toes on the floor rest your feet flat on the floor so they look almost like a ballet dancer. this lets the wieght fall fully on your upper body rather then havnig your legs do work as well. and of course every time you do pushups focus on a certain muscle you wish to tone and try to push up with that muscle (shoulder, chest, back, tricepts) and vary the width of your stance. this also helps to strengthen desired muscle groups. push-ups is the greatest, cheapest, quickest way to stay in shape. keep it up avid push uppers

on 12/1/2006 Handstand pushups: Did you know that most 95% bodybuilders can't do one single handstand push? To get true defintion and build whole upper body is by doing the handstand pushups, your triceps will become massive and as well as your whole upper body and everythings built in proportion to your rest of your body because its the perfect weight your body can handle (your own) this is why I say gymnasts have the perfect build.

Anyway the best method I can share with you lot:

Step l: with your front facing towards the wall spread your feet like a sprinter just before he does in the mark (get,Set) position.

Step 2: when placing your palms in front spread your fingers, both of your middle fingers should point straight, and the rest spread evenly.

Step 3 Now lean about 70% on your front knee and kick off with your behind foot at the same time into the hand stand position.

(When raising both your toes make sure they are pointing directly straight above into the air.) Try to keep your body as straight as possible, that means don't rest on your feet more pressure on the hands.

Step 4: Now slowly ease yourself down until your head is just about to touch the floor ad slowly push back, breathe in slowly whilst going down and releasing when coming up.

This exercise is not for puffs it takes a lot of hard work, its a bit like learning to walk first your leg muscles needed to get used to it but as they did they became some of the strongest parts of your body.

After you get past the stage of falling over you will be able to go down deeper with ease and the results will speak for themselves its one that can't be described until you feel it for yourself.