Getting that upper arm strength and toning is one of the most popular reasons why people choose push ups when exercising. However, a personal trainer would likely point out that push ups actually offer a lot more benefits than just toning your “guns.”
They work your back, abs, and endurance levels, as well. They can be tough, but incredibly rewarding if you work at them. Regardless, you can’t reap the benefits if you don’t know how to correctly perform a push up. This guide will help make sure you don’t hurt yourself while working out with push ups.
Step-by-step, how to correctly perform a push up:
Hands: Depending on your experience and endurance level with push ups, your hands will be placed differently. You want them facing forward, with your fingertips pointing away from you. You can turn your hands a little bit inward if it helps your wrists. Make sure they’re aligned with your shoulders in a way that feels comfortable. If they’re too far out, you won’t be able to push yourself up. If they’re too close, you may lose your balance.
Feet: Your feet should be close together behind you, but not necessarily right next to each other. You want some space in between them. Space them out in a way that feels comfortable for you, but keep less than 12 inches between them. You don’t want your feet fanned out or in a “V”.
Keep your body level: You don’t want your back arched or your butt in the air, and you don’t want anything drooping low. Keep your body straight. You’ll feel your abs working by keeping this posture.
Your head should not be straight down: Instead of looking at the floor, try to look towards the wall in front of you. This helps keep your back straight and your body aligned properly.
At the top, once you have pushed up, your arms should be straight as they support your weight. You want to lower yourself down by bending your arms at the elbow and get as close to the floor as you can.
Ideally, your chin should be touching the floor. If you can’t do that right away, don’t worry. You’ll get there.
Looking To Get In Shape?
Proper form when exercising is crucial, but it isn’t always easy to achieve on your own. You may consider hiring a personal trainer to help if you. TalkLocal can also help by connecting you to the health and fitness professionals in your area.
