PUSH-UPS:

Muscles worked:
Primary: Chest
Secondary: Shoulders, Triceps
Instructions:
  • Lie on the floor, face down with hands placed at chest level, about 4-7 inches farther than shoulder-width apart.
  • Keeping your back straight, push yourself up extending your arms, without locking your elbows.
  • Hold for a brief second while flexing (squeezing together) your chest.
  • Slowly lower yourself as far as you can, or until your nose touches the ground. Your back and hips should still be straight, while your elbows point out.
Don'ts:
  • Don't allow your back to bend or arch. Keep your body as straight as possible.
  • Don't just let your body fall back down to the floor. Resist your body's downward force by lowering yourself slowly.
Alternate exercises:
  • Bent-knee Push-ups, Decline Push-ups, Bench Press (Db), Bench Press (Bb)
Note:
  • If you are unable to do this exercise with proper technique for the desired number of reps, refer to the Bent-knee version (Ex. #85).