Exercise description of pushups.  Learn about pushups with videos, pictures, and other information.  Also learn how pushups improve sport performance.

Primary muscles worked:  Chest, Triceps

Synergist Muscles:  Shoulders

Mechanics:  Compound

Equipment:  An open floor

How to perform the exercise:  To do a pushup, the athlete must get in to pushup position, which is feet together with toes on the floor, body in a straight line, arms straight, about shoulder width apart, and fully extended with palms on the floor. From the pushup position, lower the body to the floor, bending at the elbows. Once the chest comes in contact with the floor, push back up, utilizing the muscles in the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Once back in pushup position the athlete may complete another rep.

Spotting the exercise:  To spot the pushup, the spotter can either wrap a harness around the athletes abdomen and asist them by pulling up on the strap, or the more conventional method of pushing up on the athletes chest as they begin to struggle. This can be done with either two hands from over top of the athlete, or one hand from the side position.

Sport specific application:T  he pushup is an excellent exercise for creating local muscular endurance in the chest, triceps, and shoulders. From a sports specific standpoint, the pushup can be seen in variation in football, a defensive player trying to slip a cut block can push down from over the top of their competitor to get clear access to the play on the field.