But if you find yourself grimacing whenever they pop up in your programming, youre totally not alone.
Theres no sugarcoating it: The push-up can be hard AF.
Still, tons of exercisers get down if they cant do a push-up.
Katie Thompson
Weve got a step-by-step expert guide to mastering this popular-yet-challenging exercise.
There are some solid reasons to want to pump up your push-up skills in the first place.
Now, theres nothing saying youhaveto master this exercise.
Katie Thompson
Plus, all you need is your bodyweight, so you could do them anywhere, making them superconvenient.
How can I improve my (non-existent) push-up skills?
Proper formis super important for doing proper push-ups.
Katie Thompson
This can over-fatigue them and ultimately increase your chances of injury, Pierson says.
This is the real deal!
It can also up your chances of injury, she adds.
Katie Thompson
Heres what to do with the push-up progressions.
For an effective program, work through the moves in the order listed above.
There are some other exercises that help your goal along too.
Katie Thompson
Focus on keeping your spine in neutral alignment (dont let your low back sag), Pierson says.
If needed, drop to your knees and eventually work toward holding the position from your toes.
This exercise, recommended by Hodges, really zeroes in on your triceps.
Katie Thompson
Heres how to combine it all together into one bomb-ass, push-up crusher.
Aim to do all these exercisesboth the push-up progressions and the other movestwo to four times a week.
If you want to see you progress, then consistency is the most important factor, Pierson says.
Katie Thompson
But be careful youre notoverdoing it.
Perhaps the most important tip?
Remember that youve got this!
Katie Thompson
In fact, one day, conventional push-ups will be easy, Hodges says.
