Do you do push-ups on a regular basis? Are you able to complete a full, perfect-form push-up? I mean push-up from your toes with your body fully aligned from your feet to the top of you head. How many can you do? How often do you build push-ups into your workout routine?
An overwhelming number of potential clients confide in me that they can’t do a single push-up. I have even had clients enroll in training with me under the condition that they won’t have to do push-ups. When asked when the last time a push-up was attempted I usually get a blank stare. My thought: how do you know you can’t, if you haven’t tried? Right? Is there a fear of trying? So let’s have it, initial consultation and I want to see if you can do it (of course with the understanding that there is not an injury or illness that would prevent or put said potential client at risk). Push-ups at the initial consult are always exciting considering most of my consults are done in coffee shops around town. If you happen to come across this sight I caution you not to gape too long or you may be encouraged to join!
Why is there such a hate-on towards push-ups? Better question yet: why am I rambling on about this much-loved-to-be-hated exercise?
I love push-ups! That’s all. My clients and class participants are well aware of my fondness of all push-ups. Some clients have even grown to love them as well.
Push-ups can be performed no matter where you are, and best of all, they are free! No fancy equipment or gym fees required! No excuses either!
Push-ups build strength and target many different muscle groups at the same time. Push-ups are great for your chest and they also work your core, triceps, and shoulders. It’s no wonder so many people find push-ups difficult with all of these muscle groups working together.
With changes to arm or hand position different muscles are focused on. The list of variations is endless. Whether you are simplifying for a beginner or to accommodate an injury with wall, box or shortened push-ups, or you are making them more challenging with a decline, one-arm, or introducing plyometrics, push-ups are a very dynamic exercise for all fitness levels and abilities. In a gym environment, you may need to look at three to four different machines to target all of the muscle groups that a push-up will cover.
Push-ups make your heart work harder. By helping circulate your blood through your entire body, and all the working muscles, push-ups improve your cardiovascular health and your heart.
Look at adding a few sets of this basic, do-anywhere exercise to your fitness plan to improve your strength, fitness or consider joining my challenge for 2014.
I am starting a Passionate for Push-Ups 365 Day Challenge on January 1, 2014. The challenge is push-ups and adding one for every day of the year. On the first day of the challenge you start with one push-up and add another one for each day of the year up to 365 push-ups for December 31, 2014.
I know it sounds like quite the feat, 365 push-ups by the end of next year! Push-ups don’t need to be consecutive, you can do them in blocks throughout the day and you can take advantage of the different variations from easy to most difficult. The idea is to push yourself: start out small and just keep adding one more.
I will be doing this challenge as will all of my clients in one-on-one sessions or in group classes. Everyone is invited to participate, whether you are a client or not!
Have someone take a picture of you doing your push-ups. Email that picture to me or post on my Facebook page to be entered to win monthly prizes throughout the year!
