That's Fit

Push-ups are by far my favorite upper body exercise. In fact, if you had to choose only one exercise to do for your upper body for the rest of your life.......you better pick the push-up. This all in one exercise works just about every muscle above your hip and then some. No other strength training exercise has the ability to work your chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps, forearm, abs, erector spinae (low back), glutes, calves, anterior tibialis (over your shin), neck. and more. Not only are they the best, they're something almost everybody can do. Barring spinal injuries and rotator cuffs, unless you've specifically been told not to do push-ups.....you should do them.

Here's a bunch of fun ways to do a push-up, in order from easiest to hardest. Keep in mind, your back should always be straight, Your tushy should not sag down, or stick up. Breath, breath, breath. Suffocation is rarely useful. I normally start my clients with three sets. Do the most you can possibly do on your first, rest and repeat two times. You'll be surprised at how quickly you progress.

Level 1:

Wall push-ups. Hands on wall, feet on floor about a foot away. Push out.

On knees, butt high. Hands and feet shoulder width apart on ground, push-up.

On knees butt flat. Hands and feet shoulder width apart on ground, push-up.

Level 2

Standard push-up. Feet and hands on floor, shoulder width apart. Bend arms at elbows and drop chest toward floor. Rise slowly.

One hand on medicine ball. Do standard push-up with one hand elevated on medicine .You can do this on any steady, elevated platform as well. Do equal amounts on both arms.

Feet mildly elevated. Place feet on a step, hands on the floor and do a standard push-up.

Level 3

BOSU push-up. Place BOSU dome side down on the ground. Put your feet shoulder width apart on floor, and grip the outside edge of the BOSU with hands. Do a standard push-up.

Tricep push-up Put your hands on the floor only about six inches apart, with your feet shoulder width on the floor. Do a standard push-up, but keep your elbows in close to your body. Your arms should skim your rib cage as you lower to the ground and rise. **Major tricep workout!

Feet very elevated. Place feet on a weight bench, or high up on a wall and do a standard push-up.

Stability ball. Put both hands on the top of a stability ball, feet on the floor and do standard push-up.

One arm. Place one arm underneath you and two feet on the floor. Good luck!