The power of the pushup

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Along with squats and lunges, another favorite of mine is the pushup. It is an exercise that you can do anywhere and anytime.

As I was playing with my son on the floor today I decided to do a set of 20 pushups. He thought it was great fun (where else can I get cheers for my pushups?) and as my tot-sized personal trainer he encouraged me to do more. He got down on the floor with me to do his own version of a pushup and before I knew it, I had done 100 of my own. (with breaks in between sets, of course)

The point here is that I did not have to leave my house, change my clothes or buy any expensive equipment to do this wonderful exercise. I’m sure my chest and arms will be sore tomorrow, which only means we need to play this pushup game more often!

Here are some tips on perfecting your pushup:

  • Start with a modified position (on your knees) until you feel comfortable with a military style pushup
  • Your elbows should be fully extended at both the start and finish of a pushup
  • Make sure your legs, hips, and back are in a straight line
  • Draw your navel in toward your spine to help keep abdominals in line
  • Do not hold your breath!!!
  • Do as many as you can with perfect form. Once your form starts to suffer, take a break.
  • pushup-side-up.jpgpushup-side-down.jpg

picture source: http://www.jmu.edu

Now drop down to that floor and give me TWENTY right now!
No excuses! You’ll feel great when you are done, I promise!

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Written by Deb
Written on Friday, November 2nd, 2007 at 1:30 am
Filed under workouts.
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6 Responses to “The power of the pushup”

  1. Nap Warden Says:
    November 2nd, 2007 at 2:37 am

    I just want you to know…every time you say “do it now” I do…Stop it!;)

  2. One Big Health Nut Says:
    November 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 pm

    I remember when I was 16 years old I could do push up for 50 times or even more easily now I can’t hardly finish two reps of 20 push ups.

  3. Jeff Says:
    November 2nd, 2007 at 5:44 pm

    I don’t like pushups, but I do them. I like to do them with my feet elevated so I don’t have to do so many, as I’m not much for conditioning.

    Anyone with shoulder problems should be careful of lowering themselves too close to the ground.

    Interesting note: the bottom picture says your forearms should be parallel with the ground. I think they meant upper arm. Your forearms should be perpendicular to the ground.

  4. Julie Pippert Says:
    November 2nd, 2007 at 11:19 pm

    My fave is my daily power walk (twice) fifteen minutes each way to the school. It is always a super power walk because we are invariably leaving ten minutes later than planned due to some crisis or another.

    I also wanted to say two things:

    1. I linked to you on my blog today, and
    2. You might check out Lotta at Mom-O-Matic if you haven’t already (no idea so sorry if I tell you something you knew like a hundred years ago DUH, LOL) because her weight loss group might love your workout tips!

    Julie
    Using My Words

  5. Workout Wednesday: prison pushups | workoutmommy.com Says:
    November 7th, 2007 at 3:42 am

    [...] our perfect pushup form from last week? I was extremely sore after all the pushups I did that day, so I need to make [...]

  6. Move it Monday: card party! | workoutmommy.com Says:
    January 7th, 2008 at 1:14 am

    [...] for form. Focus on what you are doing and the muscles that you are using. Review your push up form here if [...]