Scottsdale's Personal Trainer

The push up is a fitness classic aimed at strengthening the upper body–particularly the chest, shoulders, triceps, and abs, using nothing but the weight of your body as resistance. But even this well-known exercise is often avoided due to its difficulty and, if attempted, is often done with improper form. Here’s how to fine tune your push up technique… you’ll be on your way to a toned and strong upper body and abs in no time!

1. Start by getting on the floor and placing your hands palm-down, a little more than shoulder’s width apart.

2. Next, stretch your legs out and place your toes on the floor. If you’re a beginner, modify the push up by placing your knees on the floor instead. The goal is to create a perfect diagonal with your body, from your shoulders to your knees or feet

3. Keep the glutes and abdominal muscles engaged to support your body weight, suspending yourself above the floor. Now you’re ready to do your first push up.

4. Careful to keep your torso stable, bend and straighten your elbows, lowering and lifting your body.

Check out Scottsdale Personal Training Client, Mark, who at 67 years old can rock out pushups with fantastic form.

Pay careful attention to your form by doing push ups. Quality is more important than quantity. Once you have perfected the traditional push up, there are various modifications, such as lifting 1 arm to the side of your body or extend 1 leg while the other 3 limbs participate in the push up.Here is another Variation featuring my colleague Mike and myself, performing a Partner Resisted Pushup.