How To Do Pushups and Different Types of Pushups

The simple pushup is a very underrated exercise. Not only does it strengthen and tone your chest, shoulders, and arms, but it requires a good bit of core strength and stability too. Pushups can be done anywhere, with no equipment required, and an infinite number of variations exist to make them as easy or as challenging as necessary. How to do pushups correctly:

Pushups – Pushup variations, how to do pushups correctly

The pushup is a pressing movement, which means the focus should be on the pecs, the deltoids, and the triceps. You should keep your head in a neutral position, with your ears over your shoulders. Do not hinge your head back too far, and definitely don’t hang your head down. The hands should be spaced outside the shoulders, but not so wide that at the bottom of the pushup you’ve got an angle at the elbow wider than 90 degrees.Two important things are frequently missed in the proper execution of a pushup – scapular positioning and torso stability.

  1. The shoulder blades should be depressed and retracted, as they should be during all pressing movements. Often, especially at the top of the movement, the client will allow the scapulae to spread apart. This should not happen, nor should the shoulders be shrugged. Both conditions take stress off the target muscles and subject the shoulders to potential injury.
  2. The torso should be locked into a neutral spine position throughout the entire set. A common problem involves allowing the waist to sag, creating an excessive lorditic curve. This robs the target muscles of pushing a majority of the body’s weight, and it subjects the spine and back muscles to unacceptable stress. The opposite problem is also common – allowing the hips to rise at the top of the exercise. This is your body’s unconscious way of taking the stress off of fatiguing muscles.
pushups
Throughout the movement, the arms should not be excessively abducted. The elbows should be just short of parallel to the shoulders when viewed from above. During certain modifications of this exercise, it’s easy to go too deep and strain the shoulders. The shoulders should not dip more than a couple inches below elbow level. Breathe in on the way down, and exhale as you push up.


PUSHUP MODIFICATIONS

Pushups can be modified to suit virtually any fitness level. As a general rule, the more bodyweight that’s on the hands, the more difficult it is to execute the pushup. Even elderly clients can perform simple pushups by leaning against the wall (photo A). The chart below list some modifications in order of increasing difficulty:

Standing (photo A)

Incline, on knees (photo B)

On knees (no photo)

Incline, on toes (photo C)

On toes (photo D)

Decline, on toes (photo E)

wall pushupsways to make pushups easierincline pushupshow to do pushupsdecline pushup

ADVANCED PUSHUPS:

For a great challenge, try these variations:

LEGS ON SWISS BALL (no photo) – Balancing yourself on an unstable surface increases the proprioceptive demand of the exercise and works the torso muscles harder. Modify the difficulty by moving your hips closer to or farther away from the ball.

UNSTABLE HANDS (photo G) – To improve balance and increase the activation of the shoulder stabilizers, put each hand on a medicine ball or a volleyball. For an even greater challenge, use two different sized balls, and combine this exercise with the Swiss Ball variation.

make pushups harder

HANDS CLOSE (photo H) – By placing your hands close together, the triceps are heavily emphasized.

tricep pushups

UNEVEN HANDS (photo I) – Place one hand normally, place the other on the floor directly under your neck. For another variation in unevenness, place one hand on a raised surface, like a box or a phone book.

uneven pushups


PLYOMETRIC PUSHUPS

To develop explosive speed and coordination, add a few sets of these to your workout:

Pushoff: When you push, make the movement as fast and explosive as you can so your hands leave the floor. Add a hand clap while you’re airborne (photo K).

explosive pushup

Box Pushoff: Place one hand on a raised surface and one hand on the
floor. Use the same explosive pushoff as above, but leave your hand on the box and twist your body 90 degrees in the air (photo L).

twisting pushup

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Which type of pushup is best?

The best type of pushup depends on your fitness goals and current fitness level. Standard pushups are great for overall upper body strength, while variations like diamond pushups target triceps more intensely, and wide-grip pushups focus on the chest.

What pushup is the hardest?

One of the hardest pushup variations is the planche pushup, where you lift your feet off the ground and maintain a horizontal body position while performing pushups. This requires exceptional strength and balance.

What is the easiest pushup?

The easiest pushup variation is the knee pushup, where you perform pushups with your knees resting on the ground instead of your toes. This reduces the amount of body weight you’re lifting, making the exercise easier.

What is a Russian pushup?

A Russian pushup is a challenging variation where you start in a pike position with your hips raised high, perform a pushup, then transition into a downward dog position. It’s a dynamic and demanding exercise that targets the shoulders, chest, and triceps.