FitSugar

Push-Up Variation: Crocodile Jumps

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:46 -0700

I love push-ups. They are one of the best strength training moves out there. Not only do they sculpt your upper body and back, but they also tone your core. Here's a variation that will target your triceps more than regular push-ups since your elbows are in against your body instead of out wide. This exercise will make you stronger, and it's also a great prep for the yoga pose called Crocodile.

Music: "The Man Who Danced Too Slowly" by Baka Beyond

This is a pretty difficult exercise, so if you're up for the challenge keep reading

Push-Up Variation: Add In a Superman

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:30:01 -0700

Push-ups strengthen your upper body, and here's a variation that will also work the muscles in your back - just add in another no equipment necessary move, the superman.

Music: "Two of Us" by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn

To learn how to do this exercise, read more.

Begin on your belly in the superman, or X position, with your arms and legs out wide.
Inhale and lift your head, arms, chest, and legs off the floor, like Superman.
Then as you exhale, lower your body and plant your palms and feet on the floor. Inhale to straighten your arms and lift into plank position (top of a push-up). Hold here briefly, then exhale and bend your elbows behind you as you lower down.
This counts as one repetition. Complete 20, or as many as you can in one minute.

12 Ways to Push Your Push-Ups

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:50:47 -0700

If you're looking to tone your upper body for the Summer, you must make friends with the push-up. There are so many variations to isolate certain muscle groups to make your push-ups more exciting and challenging. So here are 12 push-ups to strengthen and tone your upper body while giving you a whole-body workout.

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Push-Up Variation: Push-Up With Alternating Lunges

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:00:00 -0700

You know how I love to mix it up when strength training, and push-up variations are some of my favorites since they're such effective exercises when it comes to strengthening your upper body. Here's another variation for you to give a whirl. It not only works your arms and upper back, but you'll also get a nice stretch in your hips. Try it out after your next run to give your upper body a little workout while stretching your hip flexors.

"Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry

For more details on how to do this push-up, read more.

Begin in the top of a push-up position with your shoulders above your wrists, and your body in one straight line. Draw your belly button toward your spine to protect your lower back.
Do one push-up, bending the elbows, and then straightening them again.
Step your right foot forward to the outside of your right hand. Look up and press your pelvis slightly forward to increase the stretch in your right hip and left hip flexor. Then step your right foot back and do another push-up.
Step your left foot forward to the outside of your left hand as you gaze up and press your pelvis forward. Then step your left foot back, lower down and do another push-up.
You just completed one repetition. Do as many as you can, eventually doing two sets of 10. If this is too difficult, make them a little easier by resting your knees on the floor.

Push-Up Variation: Elevated Push-Up

FitSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:00:00 -0700

If you're looking to tone up your upper body for the Summer, you've got to become friends with the push-up. There are so many variations to isolate certain muscle groups, and make your push-ups more exciting and challenging. Here's another variation to try. You'll need one block or dumbbell for this one.

"Beautiful Dawn" by The Wailin' Jennys

Come onto your hands and knees so your hands are shoulder-width distance apart. Elevate your right hand so it is four or six inches off the ground. I like to use a block, but you can also use the edge of a dumbbell.
Straighten your legs out behind you so your torso is in one straight line. If it's difficult for you to do classical push-ups like this, then rest your knees on the floor.
Inhale as you bend your elbows out to the sides and lower your chest toward the floor. As you exhale, straighten your arms. If this is too difficult, rest one or both knees on the floor.
Complete 10 push-ups (or as many as you can) with the right side elevated, then switch sides.

Push-Up Variation: Grasshopper Push-Up

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

To tone up your upper body for strapless dress and tank top season, push-ups are my favorite. I love that you don't need any equipment to do them, and they're so effective that it only takes a few reps before you start feeling it. Here's a challenging variation that will also increase flexibility in your lower back.

Music: "Every Ghetto, Every City" by Lauryn Hill

To learn how to do this exercise, read more.

Come into plank position (top of a push-up), with your hands under your shoulders, and your body in one straight line.
As you bend your elbows out to the side and lower your torso toward the floor, step your right leg through the space between your left hand and foot, and cross it all the way over to the left side, resting on the outer edge of your foot. Keep your leg straight if you can.
As you straighten your arms, step your right foot back so you're in plank position once again. Now lower your body and cross your left leg over to the right side. Straighten your arms and come back to plank position. This counts as one rep.
Complete as many reps as you can. Don't be discouraged if you can't do too many, since this is a really challenging exercise.

No Equipment Necessary: Spiderman Push-Up

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Push-ups have got to be my all-time favorite upper-body exercise since they are so effective at targeting your chest and shoulders. There are so many variations to this basic exercise, so here's another one to add to your routine.

"Missing You" by Red Raven Blue

For details on how to do a Spiderman Push-Up read more.

Come into plank position (top of a push-up), with your hands under your shoulders, and your body in one straight line. If you can't do a push-up this way, just lower your knees to the floor (as shown in the second half of the video).
As you bend your elbows out to the side and lower your torso toward the floor, bend your left knee and touch it to your left elbow.
As you straighten your arms, come back to plank position with your left foot next to your right. Now lower your torso down and touch your right knee to your right elbow. Then return back to plank position.
This counts as one repetition. Complete as many as you can, then stretch out your lower back and shoulders in Child's Pose for five breaths and then stretch out your pecs by doing Seated Heart Opener for five breaths.

Try It: Triple Clap Push-Up

FitSugar — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:30:00 -0800

Push-ups are the one exercise I always try to do when strength training. How about you? You only need to do a few and already you start to feel it in your upper arms and back. There are some great variations such as the T Push-Up, One Elbow In, One Elbow Out, and Chair Push-Ups. Tired of those and looking to try something new? Then give this Triple Clap Push-Up a whirl.

Yeah, OK, maybe your upper body isn't quite there yet, so get a little help from an exercise ball. Lie on your belly on top of the ball and roll forward so your hands are under your shoulders. As you push off the ground and lift your hands up, you'll rock back slightly and be able to clap three times before landing on the ground again. It's a fun exercise that works your upper body a little differently than regular push-ups.

Get Lifted: Push-Up With Resistance Band

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Push-ups are one the world's best exercises because you don't need to do many in order for them to be effective. They work your upper body and core like nobody's business. If you're looking for a way to make your push-ups more challenging, try using a resistance band.

To find out how read more.

Hold either end of a resistance band with both hands. Swing it over your head so it's resting on your upper back, underneath your shoulders.
Now come onto your hands and knees. Place your hands under your shoulders and keep your knees where they are, or straighten out your legs so your body is in a plank position. The band should feel snug, neither too tight nor too loose, so make adjustments if you need to.
Now bend your elbows out to the side and lower your chest toward the ground. Stop as soon as your shoulders are in line with your elbows. Then straighten your arms.
Do two or three sets of 8 to 20 of these push-ups.

Push-Up Variation: One Elbow In, One Elbow Out

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Push-ups are one of the best exercises known to woman. They require no equipment, are quick to do, and target your upper arms and back beautifully. If you start incorporating push-ups into your regular workouts, you'll definitely notice a change. You'll feel stronger and your muscles will have more definition. There's no reason you have to stick to the basic push-up though. I like throwing variations into the mix, like the Push-Ups with a Partner, T Push-Up, and Push-Up with Tuck Crunch, to work my muscles differently and to avoid injury from repetitive movements.

Check out this variation. One elbow is against your body, and the other arm is in a regular push-up position. This move helps you focus on working one shoulder at a time.

Music: "Chilled Out Ambient Grooves" by Cafe del Mar

For a detailed description of how to do this push-up read more.

Begin in a push-up position, either with your legs straight out (traditional), or with your knees resting on the floor (modified). Your hands are directly under your shoulders.
From here, step your right hand out a few inches. When you lower down, your left elbow bends straight back, brushing the side of your body, and your right elbow bends out to the side. Yes, you should feel this more in your left shoulder. Then straighten your arms.
Repeat this one to ten times on this side, then step your right hand back in slightly, and move your left palm out a few inches, and do one to ten more on this side.
Take a break (I like to rest in Child's Pose), and then do another set. Rest again, then do a third set.