Push-ups 101

This week's Wellness Wednesday features Char going over the finer points of proper pushups.

Push-ups 101

Here's a plan for improving your push-up skills:

• Do 3 sets of 12 reps of your modification of choice, 3 times a week for 2 weeks
• Do 3 sets of 15 reps of that same modification, 3 times a week for 2 weeks
• Move on to a more challenging modification and repeat this 4-week plan.

Here's how to do these three modifications.

1. Wall Push-Ups

• Stand a few feet away from a wall (the further away you stand, the more challenging the move will be).
• Lean forward and place your hands on the wall in front of you, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
• Bend and straighten your arms to complete a push-up.

2. Incline Push-Ups

• Place your arms on a bench, table, or couch and extend your legs straight behind you so that you're in an elevated plank position. Again, your hands should be slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
• Keeping your body in a straight line and your elbows close to your body, bend and straighten your arms to complete a push-up.

3. Knee Push-Ups

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• Start in a high plank with your shoulders above your wrists and your spine long. This picture shows your hands in a diamond push-up position, which is great for targeting your triceps, but for this modification place your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
• Drop to your knees, rolling to the top of your knees to protect your knee caps.
• Bend your elbows and lower your chest to the ground.
• Push through the palms of your hands to straighten your arms.

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