FitSugar

Weekend Workout: Push-Up Variations

FitSugar — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:05:40 PDT

Who doesn't want sexy, sculpted arms, shoulders, and an upper back they're proud to bare? Push-ups are one exercise sure to give you the results you're after. Although basic push-ups are effective, there's no need to keep it simple. Try these three variations to work your upper body in new and challenging ways. If these push-ups are too difficult to do with your legs straight, rest your knees on the floor. Each of these exercises works one side at a time. Complete 10 reps of each variation (five on each side) for a total of 30 push-ups.

Elevated Push-Up

One Elbow In, One Elbow Out

Spider-Man Push-Up

Itching for more short workouts? Check out these Weekend Workouts to learn how to tone other areas of your body.

Rise Up to the Challenge: 5 Push-Up Variations

Michele Foley — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:00:15 PDT

If you're looking for lean, toned arms, you need to make push-ups your number one friend. You'll be so glad you did, too. A push-up is a move that requires no equipment, but pays off in big ways - namely, a strong upper body. To make workouts more challenging, I am all about variety, especially with push-ups! Changing up the classic move will make things more exciting and work muscles you might ignore, otherwise.

Weekend Workout: Biceps, Triceps, and Deltoids

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 03:47:13 PDT

The cooling temperatures might mean the end of tank top season, but don't give up your arm work. Give this strength-training routine a whirl to work your biceps, triceps, and deltoids. You'll need a resistance band, a set of dumbbells, and a mat. I recommend doing two to three sets of 10 to 15 reps of all three exercises.

Resistance Band
Hammer Curls

Balancing Tricep
Kickback

Bent Over
Lateral Raises

If you're looking to work another area of your body, check out these Weekend Workouts for additional targeted workouts.

Shoulder Shaping Strength Training Routine

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:47:08 PDT

It's never too late to sculpt sexy shoulders, so here's a routine devoted especially to that area. Grab a set of dumbbells and go through this sequence once. Be sure to rest between exercises if you need to give your shoulder muscles a break.

Source: Thinkstock

Pick Your Push-Up

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:30:21 PST

If you want to strengthen your arms and build definition in your upper body and back, then drop and give me 20. Yep, I'm talking push-ups. This simple exercise is also one of the most effective. Changing up the kind of push-ups you do will target different areas of your arms and back. To learn which types of push-ups tone which parts of your body, start the slildeshow.

Push-Up Variation: Add In a Superman

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:30:01 PDT

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,

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.

Push-Up Variation: Elevated Push-Up

FitSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:00:00 PDT

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.

Push-Up Variation: Elevated Push-Up from FitSugar on Vimeo.

"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 PDT

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,

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.

Try It: Triple Clap Push-Up

FitSugar — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:30:00 PST

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.

Home Work: Stand on the Wall

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:00:00 PDT

I find it exhilarating to get a new perspective on the world, especially on days when I am feeling a little low energy. Going upside down is great fun and it builds your shoulder, upper back, and arm strength. Inversions can be a little tricky, but this handstand variation takes advantage of the stability provided by a wall.

For more detailed instructions and how not to do this handstand,

The most important thing about this exercise is to have your hands in the right position. You want them directly under your shoulders. To help measure the correct distance, sit on the floor with the soles of your feet planted against the wall. Look at where your bum is and that's where you want to put your hands. So carefully turn over and place your hands flat on the floor, shoulder width apart.
Now place one foot on the wall and then the other. Your feet should be touching, and your legs should be perpendicular to the wall, parallel to the floor. You'll know you're doing it right when you feel all the weight of your body in your arms. If you're not sure if your legs and arms are in the right position, have someone look at you doing this handstand. See below, the legs are too high in the photo on the left, and they're too low in the photo on the right. Also make sure your arms are not way out passed your head.

Stay like this for 30 seconds if you can, and when your shoulders and arms can't take anymore, walk your feet back down to the floor.

Fit's Tip: If your wrists begin to hurt, then press your fingertips firmly into the floor to relieve some of the pressure. If it becomes unbearable, then stop all together. It'll take some time to build strength in your wrists so work on this exercise a little at a time.