Pushups

Pushup Basics

Primary muscles worked: Chest, Triceps

Synergist Muscles: Shoulders

Mechanics: Compound

Equipment: An open floor

How To Perform Pushups

• Start by placing your hands on the ground, with your palms, about shoulder-width apart.
• Step back with your feet so that your body forms a straight line from your feet, to your knees, hips, back, and neck.
• Now, lower your body to the floor, bending at the elbows.
• Once your chest comes in contact with the floor, push back up, utilizing the muscles in the chest, triceps, and shoulders.
• Once back in pushup position, you may complete another rep.

Pushup Tips

• You need to ensure that you keep the straight line from your legs to back at all times while performing pushups. This will ensure that you are working the correct muscles and not placing unnecessary stress on the spine.
• You should also keep your core tight throughout the lift to improve the stabilization of your body.

Pushups and Sports Application

The 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.