500 Challenge Workout with Sexy Back Boot Camps in Kansas City

300, 400, or 500 Challenge Workout with Sexy Back Boot Camps in Kansas City

Perform 30, 40, or 50 reps of each exercise. Start at #1 and go to #10. See if you can finish one set of 30's within 15 minutes, 40's within 20 mins, and 50's within 25 mins. Beginners, start without weights. Add weights for intermediate and advanced.

Here's your challenge!! Let's start!!!!

1. Goblet squats with weight – 20 lbs+
2. Negative or regular Push ups
3. Walking lunges with twist – 10+
4. Bent over 1 arm DB Row – 20 +
5. Ice Skaters – each side
6. Single leg front DB raise – 15 +
7. Squat Jumps (with dumbbells) – 10+
8. Single leg Alternating 2 arm DB Hammer Bicep curls – 15+
9. Alternating DB Front Step ups – 10+
10. Single leg 2 arm overhead DB Tricep Extension – 10 +

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Around the World and Back Again!! Kick A$$ Return Workout

Kick a$$ workouts of the week!!

It was the beginning, first week of our return back to class after a one week break.

So, it's not TOO demanding on the body, depending on your fitness level.

Feel free to modify and make it more difficult or easier to your level.

Be sure to ALWAYS push yourself and make it intense!!!

Here it is:

Dynamic warm-ups: calisthenics

Start with Around the World Core Tabatas

Lateral Loading
2 sets. 45-15’s: Add heavy bands

You will alternate between 45 seconds of work and 15 seconds of rest through three exercises. Repeat these exercise for two total sets, and then move to the next tri-set series.

Days 1 and 3: 18 minutes each

1. Squat or Lunge with Chest band punches
2. Bear crawls on yoga mats - sagittal
3. Leg raises/Knee Ups

1. 1-arm DB swings – switch hands half-way (2 hands for beginners)
2. Alternating Side DB lunges
3. Figure 8’s V-sit or Russian twists

1. Band back pedals with partner – 3 step
2. Wall sits
3. Planks



2 sets. 45-15’s: Add jump ropes
Days 2 and 4

1. Bear crawls on yoga mats - Lateral
2. Single leg side DB raises
3. Vertical leg crunches

1. Clockwork lunges
2. Single leg hip extension – switch legs halfway
3. Jump Ropes

1. Alternating Front Step Ups
2. Front double leg hop to stabilization
3. Reverse Planks

Day 14 of 20-Day Sexy Back Fitness Challenge to Lose Weight

Day 14 of 20-Day Sexy Back Fitness Challenge to Lose Weight

Day Fourteen

Activity Challenge
Get rid of your computer chair and use a stability ball as your seat for at least 10 minutes… if not the entire day.

Exercise Challenge
Part 1: Do at least 20 minutes of medium-high intensity cardio exercise, alternating 3 minutes of medium-intensity cardio with 1 minute of high intensity cardio.

Part 2: Perform 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps of the following upper body exercises:
. Push ups
. DB Flyes
. Lat Pull with Bands
. Back Extension on the Ball
. Seated Overhead Press
. Tricep Extension w/ DB’s
. DB Bicep Curls

Flexibility Challenge
Perform at least 10 minutes of post-workout stretching

• Arm circles
• Trunk rotations
• Leg swings
• Standing hamstring stretches
• Standing quad stretch


Mental Challenge
Meditate at least 3-minutes straight without interruption

Record your workouts and meals in your food journal

If you haven't completed some of the things on this checklist, make a note of what you still need to do and when you'll do it:

If you did complete all the assignments, write down what you found the most challenging and why:

Day 7 - Sexy Back Boot Camps 20 Day Challenge to your Skinny Jeans

Day 7 - Sexy Back Boot Camps 20 Day Challenge in Kansas City

Let's get back into those skinny jeans!!

It's Super Bowl Sunday - the Saints vs the Colts. Who will win??

While watching the Super Bowl or TV, get up during every commercial break and walk around, stretch, or exercise.

Exercise:
Tabatas – Perform 3 sets of 20 seconds of the following exercises with 10 seconds rest between exercises with maximum effort. It will take you only 12 minutes.

1. Push-ups
2. Bodyweight squats
3. Bent over Dumbbell (DB) rows
4. DB Alternating reverse lunges
5. 2-arm DB overhead shoulder press
6. DB 2-arm hammer curls
7. DB Side lunges
8. DB tricep kickbacks

OR:
Do another workout that you’re familiar with.

Flexibility:
Do 15 minutes of stretching of your own flexibility routine.

Nutrition:
Try at least one fruit or vegetable that you’ve never tried before OR one that you haven’t had in a long time.

Before you go to bed, take five minutes and write down at least 5 things you accomplished today and at least 5 things you’d like to accomplish tomorrow.

If you haven't completed some of the things on this checklist, make a note of what you still need to do and when you'll do it:



If you did complete all the assignments, write down what you found the most challenging and why:



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Sexy Back Spartacus Workout

Spartacus Workout
45-15
The "real" Spartacus Workout is 60-15's but I was being nice today!!

Intermediate:

1. Goblet Squat
2. Mountain cross climbers
3. 1-arm DB swings (switch half-way)
4. Push up to rotation
5. Lunge hops
6. Bent over DB Rows – (elbows out)
7. Alternating DB side lunges
8. DB Renegade rows
9. Front Lunge with DB twist (switch half-way)
10. DB squat to shoulder press


Beginner:

1. Prayer squats
2. Mountain climbers
3. Upward DB Chop
4. Bent knee push ups
5. Alternating front lunges
6. Bent over DB rows (elbows in)
7. Alternating side lunges
8. Renegade rows
9. Front lunge with twist
10. Standing DB shoulder press

Fat Slaughtering Workouts at Sexy Back Boot Camps

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Thursday 12/10/09 Workout

CORE: - 20-10’s – 3 sets

1. Reverse crunch
2. Bird dogs
3. Reverse crunch
4. Bird dogs


STRENGTH:

BEGINNER:

4 Sets – 50-10’s

1. Mountain climbers
2. Reverse Lunges
3. Lateral Shuffle to ground touch – 10 yards (stay low)
4. DB Diagonal Chops
5. DB Russian Twists


INTERMEDIATE

4 sets – 50-10’s

1. Mountain sliders
2. Front Lunge to DB Bicep Curls – 10 lbs +
3. Band Running/Back pedal/side shuffle/side shuffle
4. 1-arm DB Swings/Snatch – 20 lbs +
5. Ice Skaters

========================

Saturday 12/12/09 Workout

STRENGTH EXERCISE - 50-10's

Chest a. Bent Knee Push Ups Variations *
Core b. Vertical Leg crunch Variations *

Back a. Bent-over 1-arm DB Row * switch half-way
Core b. Grasshoppers

Shoulders a. Squat to DB Bicep Curl and Shoulder Press
Legs b. Russian Split Squat – Right leg

Triceps a. Tricep Dips
Legs b. Russian Split Squat – Left Leg

Cardio a. Fighting stance squat jumps – touch every other
Cardio b. Ice Skaters or Yellow bag Pushes


CORE Around the World * Variations

Sexy Worldwide Charity Boot Camp Strength Intermediate

Sexy Worldwide Charity Boot Camp Strength Intermediate



First Ever Worldwide Charity Boot Camp Workout with Sexy Back Boot Camp for Charity. Kri Chay, owner of Sexy Back Boot Camps, Belton Lubas of Seattle, WA with Strong and Sexy Boot Camps, Sophin Sarin of Des Moines, IA with Twork It Out Fitness Boot Camps and Val Fujii of Folsom, CA with Superwomen Boot Camp to form a nationwide charity boot camp to raise funds to assist the thousands of victims of the recent Philippines and American Samoa disasters.

Rapid Fat Loss Worldwide Charity Boot Camp - Strength Beginner

Worldwide Charity Boot Camp - Strength Beginner





First Ever Worldwide Charity Boot Camp Workout with Sexy Back Boot Camp for Charity. Kri Chay, owner of Sexy Back Boot Camps, Belton Lubas of Seattle, WA with Strong and Sexy Boot Camps, Sophin Sarin of Des Moines, IA with Twork It Out Fitness Boot Camps and Val Fujii of Folsom, CA with Superwomen Boot Camp to form a nationwide charity boot camp to raise funds to assist the thousands of victims of the recent Philippines and American Samoa disasters.

Sexy Back Boot Camps Warrior Workouts

Cardio: Tabatas – 30-10’s:

1. Alternating Lateral Squat jumps
2. MB Russian Twist
3. Alternating Lateral Squat jumps
4. MB Russian Twist

Repeat for 2 rounds

Core: Tabatas – 30-10’s:

1. Grasshoppers
2. Alternating T-Stabilization (push up position)
3. Grasshoppers
4. Alternating T-Stabilization (push up position)

Repeat for 2 rounds

Strength: Tabatas – 30-10’s:

1. MB Diagonal Chops
2. Front Lunge to MB Twist - R
3. MB Diagonal Chops
4. Front Lunge to MB Twist – L

Repeat for 2 rounds

Strength: Tabatas – 30-10’s:

1. Squat Thrust or Burpees
2. Alternating vertical Leg crunch
3. Negative Push ups
4. Leg raises

Repeat for 2 rounds

Workout of the Day - Legs and Arms... Sexy Back Boot Camps Kansas City

Warm up and stretch out 10-15 minutes.

23-minute Training Session



Cardio: Tabatas – 20-10’s: Regular for Beginners and Dynamic for Intermediate

1. Running high knees
2. Butt kicks
3. Stationary Ali Shuffles
4. Fighting stance, jump squat and switch, (squat low and touch toes on every squat, explode up)

Repeat for 2-3 rounds
1-2-minute break



Core: Tabatas – 20-10’s: Regular for Beginners and Dynamic for Intemediate

1. Planks
2. Side Planks - R
3. Mountain Climbers
4. Side Planks – L

Repeat for 2-3 rounds
1-2-minute.



50-10’s: Arms Killer Training!! Three Rounds – 15 minutes straight. SLOW on the downward movement 4 seconds, and explode upward.

1. LEGS - Russian split squat - * switch half-way (one foot on bench, squat and touch shoes)
2. BICEP- Hammer Bicep DB Curls – 25 lbs total or more (Palms facing inward when curling)
3. BICEP- Single leg or Dyna Disc 1-arm DB Curls – 12 or 15 lbs
4. TRICEP- Tricep Dips on bench/chair - bodyweight
5. TRICEP- Single leg or Dyna Disc 1-arm DB Tricep Overhead Extensions – 10 lbs+

Repeat for 3 rounds

Cool down and stretch out 10-15 minutes.

Skinny Jeans... Here I Come!!

Skinny Jeans... Here I Come!!

We started back up with classes this week.

We finished up a few contests and did a ton of workouts, so see tomorrows blog for the contest winners and workouts.

Wendy Greashaber won Camper of the Week a few weeks ago by coming to class every time, bringing in her food journal, doing her homework, applying her knowledge and teaching others about fitness.

Thank you and congrats to her. She won a $25 Gift Card to Bolero Salon and Spa.



I have made a lot of changes from what I eat to how I exercise. Overall, I have always been a healthy eater, but I wasn't hitting all of the food groups the way I should have (and still am at about 80%) Changes that I've made in my diet include increasing fruit, decreasing salty snacks, taking a multi vitamin and a fish oil supplement, decreasing diet soda, increasing water and using the knowledge that I gained from the "grocery store" tour to plan our family's meals. I'm realizing that I can't live my life without occasionally giving in to my favorite salty snacks, I just have to learn to say no a little more often. I try to start each day off right and I don't beat myself up over the bad days.

Another change that I've made is that I am now jogging/running on a regular basis. I'd never been able to make it more than half a mile until I started boot camp. I now run 3.5-4.5 miles on Mon., Wed., and Friday mornings and then run 5-6 miles on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I have to credit boot camp for giving me the core strength that I had been missing, but needed to do this. I work on core doing dynamic "around the world" 2 mornings a week after my run.

Overall, I've learned much more than I initially expected about fitness by just listening in class, trying to do what I'm supposed to, and seeing the results. I'm glad that we never know the daily class agenda before we get there because I'd have a hard time making myself go on days where we do leg excercises. I really have to focus hard at fully applying myself to lunges -- I hate them! (but the pain does wear off -- ha ha!)

My advise to everyone in the class would be: 3 steps forward and 1 step back -- Make your "good days" the best days ever -- see how far you can go! Don't beat yourself over the bad days.

Bringing Sexy Back with Bob Harper

Sunday was crazy!!

It was a little chilly too.

We stood outside in the cold from 12:15 pm - 4 pm.

To stay warm, I had a few ladies doing lunges and trunk rotations.

The Dr. Oz crew was pretty cool.

Dr. Oz wasn't there.

The lady leading the group, Samantha, was rockin' it!!

We had to wait, and wait, and wait...

While we waited, we had some refreshments!

They were actually pretty good.

They had hot water for the different green tea packets.

And hot apple cider (a little too sweet for me)

And apples, oranges, bananas, and granola bars.

Oh... and almonds.

So, overall, not too bad.

BUT for the Dr. Oz crew, they had Buca di Beppo!!

They stood there, by the weight and fat loss contestants, made them stand in the cold weather, while they ate their hot, high calorie "Italian" food in front of them.

Not cool.

Oh well. We finally got in a workout with Bob Harper.

Here was his workout:

Side planks with up/downs (both sides)
Planks (alternating single leg)
Push-ups
Isometric squats (squatted, every 20 seconds, went one inch lower for 4 rounds)
Floor crunch
Vertical leg crunch
Run to flag pole and back (a little over quarter mile total)

That was it!!

It was fun and the ladies and men doing the KC Challenge was awesome!!

I met a few ladies from Springfield, Illinois that seen me online which was pretty cool - Dustie and Melissa.

Check out my Facebook page for more pics ==> http://www.facebook.com/kri.chay?ref=profile

Workout of the Day - Chest, Core, Legs, Cardio... Sexy Back Boot Camps Kansas City

Let's have some fun!

Some days classes go by super slow because it may be hot out or my ladies are just tired.

Some days go by super quick because it's hot out and my ladies are tired.

Everyday it's fun though!! (At least I think so)

This day, it was raining... again... so we went indoors to train.

Today's focus was on chest, core, and legs.

Check out the video and then leave a message below the video.

Write this workout down for your own training at home if you couldnt' make it.




50-10's powered by Workout Muse - Intermediate Workout

1) Elevated Decline Negative push ups and Push up walkouts
2) DB flyes with single leg bridge and Reverse crunch
3) Bulgarian Split Squat (R)
4) Bulgarian Split Squat (L)
5) Heavy Bag Pushes

Prior to all this fun stuff, we also did three sets of core work.

Around the World... Three sets of thirty seconds each exercise!!

Workout of the Day - Chest, Core, Legs, Cardio... Sexy Back Boot Camps Kansas City with Kri Chay!

Sled Pushing, Grunting, and Lunging for Total Body Fat Loss

Sled Pushing, Grunting, and Lunging for Total Body Fat Loss

That's what we did this week.

What did you do this week?

Check out the video below and be sure to leave a comment.



Tabatas 20-10's - 4 Rounds. Each round is 4 minutes!!

1) Heavy Bag Push
2) Decline Negative push ups
3) Army Walking lunges with weight
4) Elevated spider climbers

Sexy Back Charity Boot Camps - The Children's Place Workout

Workout for The Children's Place Workout.

For anyone who wants to join us on Saturdays, please do so.

We do our charity boot camps majority of the time in the Brookside area of KC.



This is an awesome event which helps raise money to help the youth victims of TCPKC - The Children's Place of Kansas City.

If you couldn't make it to train with us, try these tabata workouts at home.

Be sure to download the FREE workout audio in a previous blog post below to go with these workouts. It's a special Michael Jackson tribute audio. R.I.P.

Beginner: 8 sets ==> 2 sets, rest 1 minute. Repeat for 8 total sets.

1) Supine DB Flyes
2) Stagger stance bent-over DB Rows
3) Standing DB shoulder press
4) DB squats

Intermediate: 2 sets each group. Rest 1 min. Repeat.

Just push play on the audio and melt the fat away!!

1) Front lunge hops
2) Push ups
3) Alternating side lunge hops
4) Push ups

1) BB Hammer Curls
2) Partner band side shuffles
3) BB Hammer Curls
4) Partner band side shuffles

1) Front lunge hops
2) Push ups
3) Alternating side lunge hops
4) Push ups

1) Single leg overhead DB tricep extension (R)
2) Close grip negative push ups
3) Single leg overhead DB tricep extension (L)
4) Close grip negative push ups

Have fun with these and twork it out at home baby!!!

More Crazy Sexy Workouts with Sexy Back Boot Camps in Kansas City

More Crazy Sexy Workouts with Sexy Back Boot Camps in Kansas City



7/9/09

Series 1:

1) Sandbag Plie Squats
2) DB Alternating Side Lunges
3) Reverse crunch
4) Suicides
5) Tricep dips

Series 2:

1) Partner Band Rows
2) Bent over 1-arm DB Row
3) Front power steps ups
4) Grasshoppers
5) DB Skullcrushers

7/13/09

Series 1:

1) Negative push ups
2) Partner band chest press
3) Vertical leg crunch
4) Jumping jacks
5) Dynamic planks

Series 2:

1) DB shoulder press
2) Single leg 1 arm DB side raise * switch half-way
3) Bicycle crunches
4) Jumping jacks
5) Dynamic planks

Best Core Exercise Ever ==> Push-ups Part 2

The Official Push-up Boot Camp Program



Sexy Step#1- Find your current Push-up Total

Assuming a regular floor push-up position, perform as many reps as possible with perfect form and technique in 60 seconds. Be sure to come as least one to two inches from the ground with your chest to count as a full rep. Record your rep total and then take 60 seconds of rest (no longer). Repeat by performing one more set of max reps in 60 seconds and then record your second set total. Add both your set one and set two totals and then divide by two. This is your current push-up total.

Sexy Step#2- Follow the custom push-up boot camp program based on your current push-up total:

The following program will systematically take you from level I to level IV six weeks at a time (not including a week of rest between levels). We will be testing again after three weeks, and then doing it again after the next phase of training. It is important to note that you must be following the appropriate fat loss training (total body strength circuits and cardio interval training) and nutrition plan to lose unwanted body fat that is weighing you down and literally halting your push-up totals in its tracks. In addition, be sure to change up the selected push-up variation at each and every strength workout to best prevent training plateaus. Here’s an example of how to switch things up for one week of training:

Day1- Close-Grip Push-up Variation (to emphasize the triceps and front shoulders to improve push-up lockout)

Day2- Loaded/Band-Resisted Push-up Variation (to improve strength and thus make it easier to perform body weight push-ups) * We did these yesterday! *

Day3- Stability Ball Push-up Variation- Hands Ball (to build trunk and scapular strength stability to prevent injury and maximize force output)




Remember, the better you get at every push-up variation the better you will get at regular push-ups. Once you achieve a current push-up total of 30 reps or more, you will notice the focus now will be on getting stronger by mastering the 1-arm push-up. Improving maximum strength automatically improves your muscular endurance, though it doesn’t work the same the other way around.

Please note that you should only follow this program if you have healthy shoulders. In addition, since you will be performing extra pushing movements, it is critical to add in some scapular retraction and depression work to prevent unwanted strength imbalances. Please note the addition of a certain amount of reps of Body Weight Prisoner Squat or Y Squats (arms ups) following each set of push-ups for your “Extra Push-up Work” to achieve this end. The Body Weight Prisoner Squat or Y Squat was selected because it simultaneously works your upper back and opens up your chest while working your lower body to boost metabolism. Plus, it’s an exercise you can do anywhere. Lastly, the “Extra Push-up Work” is best performed throughout the day to be fresh and allow for full recovery.

Level Current Push-up Total Push-up Protocol
Level I 0-1 - Main Strength Workout: Perform max reps or a max hold for time for a different push-up variation at each of 3 strength workouts per week with ideally a day of rest between workouts

- Extra Push-up Work: Perform 5 sets per day of negative push-ups with the following weekly progressions Monday through Friday (weekends off):

Week1- 5 sets of 2 reps of 5-second negatives
Week2- 5 sets of 3 reps of 6-second negatives
Week3- 5 sets of 4 reps of 7-second negatives
Week4- 5 sets of 5 reps of 8-second negatives
Week5- 5 sets of 5 reps of 9-second negatives
Week6- 5 sets of 5 reps of 10-second negatives

- Follow each set of push-ups with 10 reps of Body Weight Prisoner or Y Squats

Level II 2-5 - Main Strength Workout: Perform max reps or a max hold for time for a different push-up variation at each of 3 strength workouts per week with ideally a day of rest between workouts

- Extra Push-up Work: Perform 5 sets per day of regular floor push-ups with the following weekly progressions Monday through Friday (weekends off):

Week1- 5 sets of 1 rep
Week2- 5 sets of 2 reps
Week3- 5 sets of 3 reps
Week4- 5 sets of 4 reps
Week5- 5 sets of 5 reps
Week6- 5 sets of 6 reps

- Follow each set of push-ups with 20 reps of Body Weight Prisoner or Y Squats

Level III 6-12 - Main Strength Workout: Perform max reps or a max hold for time for a different push-up variation at each of 3 strength workouts per week with ideally a day of rest between workouts

- Extra Push-up Work: Perform 5 sets per day of regular floor push-ups with the following weekly progressions Monday through Friday (weekends off):

Week1- 5 sets of 5 reps
Week2- 5 sets of 6 reps
Week3- 5 sets of 7 reps
Week4- 5 sets of 8 reps
Week5- 5 sets of 9 reps
Week6- 5 sets of 10 reps

- Follow each set of push-ups with 30 reps of Body Weight Prisoner or Y Squats

Level IV 13-20 - Main Strength Workout: Perform max reps or a max hold for time for a different push-up variation at each of 3 strength workouts per week with ideally a day of rest between workouts

- Extra Push-up Work: Perform 5 sets per day of regular floor push-ups with the following weekly progressions Monday through Friday (weekends off):

Week1- 5 sets of 10 reps
Week2- 5 sets of 12 reps
Week3- 5 sets of 14 reps
Week4- 5 sets of 16 reps
Week5- 5 sets of 18 reps
Week6- 5 sets of 20 reps

- Follow each set of push-ups with 40 reps of Body Weight Prisoner or Y Squats

Level V 21-30 - Main Strength Workout: Perform max reps or a max hold for time for a different push-up variation at each of 3 strength workouts per week with ideally a day of rest between workouts

- Extra Push-up Work: Perform 5 sets per day of regular floor push-ups with the following weekly progressions Monday through Friday (weekends off):

Week1- 5 sets of 20 reps
Week2- 5 sets of 22 reps
Week3- 5 sets of 24 reps
Week4- 5 sets of 26 reps
Week5- 5 sets of 28 reps
Week6- 5 sets of 30 reps

- Follow each set of push-ups with 50 reps of Body Weight Prisoner or Y Squats

Level VI 31+ - Main Strength Workout: Perform max reps or a max hold for time for a different push-up variation at each of 3 strength workouts per week with ideally a day of rest between workouts

- Extra Push-up Work: Perform 5 sets per day of a 1-arm push-ups variation with the following weekly progressions Monday through Friday (weekends off). Progress from stage 1 to stage 3 in choosing the appropriate 1-arm push-up variation:

Week1- 5 sets of 1 rep
Week2- 5 sets of 2 reps
Week3- 5 sets of 3 reps
Week4- 5 sets of 4 reps
Week5- 5 sets of 5 reps
Week6- 5 sets of 6 reps

Stage1- Modified 1-Arm Push-ups on Knees/Inclined

Stage2- Regular 1-Arm Push-ups 5-secondNegatives

Stage3- Regular 1-Arm Push-ups

- Follow each set of push-ups with 60 reps of Body Weight Prisoner or Y Squats


Sexy Step#3- Re-Test Your Current Push-up Total

At the end of each 6-week training block, take 5 full days of rest before re-testing your new push-up total exactly as previously outlined in step one. Record your new push-up total and then take the rest of the week off for recovery before moving on to the next level of push-up boot camp.

Well, you now know everything you need to know to safely and effectively perform more push-ups than 99+% of the world. Remember, the leaner you are the better you will be at push-ups and the more push-ups you can do, the better you will look- time to master the push-up!

Twork it out!

Please leave a comment and let me know how many push-ups you're gonna rock out in three weeks!! Let's put your money where your mouth is!! :)

How To Do The Best Core Exercise Ever => Push-ups Part 1

The Push-up. I love push-ups. They can be done anywhere at anytime. You can do them on the ground, on a ball, on a wall, and even suspended in water. It is probably the most popular exercise of all time. But being popular doesn’t necessarily mean being well liked! In fact, I think it is safe to say that the majority of people really HATE push-ups. More specifically, the push-up tends to be the undying nemesis for people who carry extra body weight and for most females who feel they do not have the upper strength to ever be able to do anything but “girl push-ups” or modified push-ups on the knees.



The goal of this article is to address everything you need to know about performing the push-up with proper form in addition to learning how to do more push-ups ASAP. Remember, people only hate what they are not good at it. In other words, I am confident that though you may currently hate push-ups, by following this program you will finally unveil your true push-up potential. And though you may never be madly in love with push-up, you’ll at least be able to stomach them!

Benefits of Push-ups

Right next to pull-ups, a push-up is the greatest upper body exercise of all time. In fact, I believe push-ups to be one of the best total body exercises around.

Push-ups work primarily your chest, triceps, and front shoulders. However they also place a great demand on your core strength and stability. After all, your spinal stabilizers (transverse abdominis and spinal erectors) need to have the endurance to maintain that critical straight-line position throughout the duration of your push-ups for optimal safety and performance. In addition, push-ups engage your scapular muscles (shoulder blades) in a way that most pushing exercises do not, thus providing some much needed mid and upper back work that most trainees are missing out on. Furthermore, maintaining the proper push-up position requires that you tense and engage every muscle on the front side of your body from your feet to your front shoulders. Heck, if you squeeze your glutes (which you should as this helps protect your lower back), you even get your booty involved!



Finally, push-ups are the ultimate anywhere, anytime exercise that requires nothing but your body weight and space the size of your frame to perform.

How to Perform a Perfect Push-up

Though nearly everyone to grace this earth has attempted a push-up at some time in his or her life, the vast majority of people have never performed a full range of motion floor push-up with perfect form and technique. If this describes, don’t sweat it. It’s not your fault if no one ever taught you how to perform push-ups properly. I mean, haven’t we all heard this at some point before from an authority figure, whether it be an old school athletic coach or gym teacher:

“Alright 100 push-ups now! No, not like that, get lower! What are you, weak? It’s just a push-up! If you don’t do them right, we’re going to do them all day! I’ve got the time!”



But, what’s done is done. And though it was be a blast to kick the tar out of our former punishers, let’s focus on doing things right for ourselves. Below is a complete list of technique and coaching points regarding how to perform a perfect push-up:

- Simultaneously tuck your elbows to your sides and pull your shoulders blades down and back: It’s critical to keep your elbows close to your ribcage while performing push-ups. Letting your elbows “sprawl” away from your torso puts your rotator cuff at a much greater risk for injury. In addition, since most of us are so upper trap dominant, we tend to shrug our shoulders during push-ups. This scapular elevation can lead to clicking and grinding of the shoulder (known as shoulder impingement syndrome). To avoid these pitfalls, visualize trying to hug your elbows to your ribcage while cracking a nut between your shoulder blades during all push-ups.

- Simultaneously suck in your gut and brace your abs: As mentioned earlier, the push-up is a great core exercise that requires good muscular endurance for your deep spinal stabilizers. By pulling your navel to your spine and bracing your abs as if you we about to be kicked in the gut, you will best activate those key core muscles while performing push-ups.

- Simultaneously tense your thighs and squeeze your glutes: The straighter your legs during the push-up the more stable you will be. This is easily accomplished by tensing your thighs throughout the exercise. Furthermore, tense your butt cheeks- this helps relax overactive hip flexors, thus alleviating unnecessary strain on the lower back.



- Power breathing: In general, seek to focus on inhaling during the lowering portion of the push-up and then forcefully exhaling during the lifting portion of the push-up. By filling your belly with air during the lowering portion of the push-up your make it easier to stabilize your spine, meaning that your core remains locked in thus allowing for a smooth and seamless transition from the down position to the up position.

- Spread your fingers: Many people complain of wrist pain while they do push-ups. This usually stems from a combination of a lack of mobility at the wrist joint and a lack of flexibility of the forearm flexors and extensors. Plus, many people simply have weak wrists from a lack of weight-bearing exercises in their daily routine. Think about it- we do not do as much as we used to do with our hands and are rarely in a position where our wrists our supporting our entire body weight (besides when doing push-ups). One way to take pressure off of your wrists during push-ups is to focus on spreading your fingers as far apart as possible. This expands the surface area and thus dissipates some of the excess strain on the wrists. Furthermore, doing fist push-ups or push-ups with your hands on a dumbbell (or push-up handles) tends to significantly alleviate if not eliminate any unwanted wrist issues. This neutral grip allows you get all of the benefits of push-ups so that your wrists do not continue to be the biggest limiting factor for your push-up goals. In addition, the neutral grip also makes it easier to keep your helps tucked to your sides and shoulders down and back for optimal shoulder safety.

- Be flat as a diving board: Throughout the entire movement, the key is to maintain a straight line from the heels through the shoulders. You must not let your hips sag as this will put undue strain on your lower back in the form of hyperextension. Furthermore, you must avoid raising or “piking” your hips because this not only takes a way much needed core work, but also results in a rounding of the upper back that potentially results in unwanted shoulder issues (impingement, rotator cuff strains, etc.).