Tips for Doing a Proper Push-up

Don’t risk getting caught with bad form. Check out these Pro Tips on how to complete a proper push-up.

Are you looking for an exercise that doesn’t need equipment? Push-ups are a simple exercise you can do at home, during your lunch break or even after waking up in the morning.

Push-ups are a movement that involves your upper-body strength and trunk stability. They can allow for efficient energy transfer between the upper and lower body.

The primary muscles involved in push-ups are the pecs, triceps and lats.

Before beginning the exercise, make sure you’re on a flat surface.

HOW TO DO A PUSH-UP

Follow these steps to execute a proper push-up:

• Begin by lying on the floor with your chest facing down.
• Bring your hands just outside, shoulder-width apart.
• Keep your feet together, then bring your knees off the ground.
• Exhale and push away from the floor.

Remember to control your descent as you lower toward the floor. Keep your body in a straight line as you move up and down.

A slight variation to the push-up involves keeping your knees on the floor. This can allow you to properly learn the technique while not having to push your full body weight.

According to Drew Walsh, a corrective exercise and performance enhancement specialist, power starts from the ground up.

“Having adequate upper-body strength is crucial to allow for optimal force transfer between the upper and lower body,” Walsh says.

Now that you’ve learned how to properly do a push-up, check out these Pro Tips on how to complete the lunge.