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Top 5 Push-Up Variations to Turbocharge Your Workout Routine

/ / Fitness, HPBP

The push-up, also known as the press-up, is one of the most popular types of resistance training exercises. If you’re tired of performing basic push-ups, though, you should consider some of the more intense variations of this classic exercise. This article reveals five muscle-building push-up variations and how to perform them.

The push-up is a powerful resistance training exercise that uses your body’s weight to engage your core, back and arm muscles. As a result, you can perform it anywhere, anytime, without additional weights or equipment. As long as you have access to a flat, smooth surface, you can perform push-ups. Rather than performing only standard push-ups, however, you should consider some of the following variations to turbocharge your fitness regimen and achieve better results.

1. Diamond Push-Ups

The diamond push-up is performed by placing your hands together in front of your chest to create the shape of a diamond. Instead of putting your hands directly in front of your shoulders, you put them in front of your chest. Aside from this nuance, performing the diamond push-up is just like a traditional push-up. You bend your elbows, so your body drops until it’s just a few inches off the ground and extend your elbows to bring your body back to its original position.

The diamond push-up places additional force on your triceps brachii, allowing for a unique variation of this classic exercise. You can increase the intensity of this push-up variation further by putting your palms, after shaping them to form a diamond, in front of your nose instead of your chest. Developed by the U.S. Marine Corps, it’s more challenging to perform than the diamond push-up.

2. Incline Push-Up

The incline push-up, as the name suggests, is performed on an inclined surface. To perform an incline push-up, place your hands on the edge of the elevated surface, like a weight or stepping stool and perform the push-up as usual. Your upper body will have to work extra hard to raise your body above the inclined surface, resulting in more significant gains.

When performing inclined push-ups, feel free to adjust the height of your incline. Two or three inches is a good starting point. As your body adjusts to this new exercise, however, you should gradually increase the height of the incline. The higher the incline, the more force will be exerted upon your upper body.

3. Decline Push-Up

There’s also the decline push-up, performed with your feet resting on an elevated surface. You can use any elevated surface of similar height for this push-up variation. The only difference between it and the incline push-up is that the former is performed with your feet on an elevated surface, while the latter is performed with your hands on the elevated surface.

Decline push-ups are great for building upper-body strength, especially the pectoralis major muscles. They also target the shoulders and core. However, you should perform decline push-ups with caution to avoid accidentally face-planting on to the floor. If your hands slip or give way, you’ll fall to the ground face first.

4. One-Arm Push-Ups

If you want to take your push-up routine to the next level, try doing one-arm push-ups. Rather than using two arms (and hands), it requires you to use one. As you can expect, one-arm push-ups are challenging to perform, but that’s what makes them great. One-arm push-ups target the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, and triceps muscles.

You’ll need to adjust your body to a slightly different position when performing one-arm push-ups. Rather than keeping your feet shoulder-width apart, you should spread them about one foot wider. The hand you aren’t using should be placed behind your back. As you perform the one-arm push-up, tighten your core to increase stability.

Here’s a fun fact: Canadian bodybuilder Doug Pruden currently holds the world record for the most one-arm push-ups. In 2008, Pruden performed 1,025 one-arm push-ups using the back of his hand.

5. Clapping Push-Ups

Finally, the clapping push-up is performed like a standard push-up with the exception that you pause midway through to clap. Keep your hands and feet spread about shoulder-width apart. After descending, push off the ground with your hands to thrust your body up. This should give you a brief window of time to clap before placing your hands back into their original position.

These are just a few ways to change your push-up routine. Of course, push-ups are only one of many exercises available to you. To maximize the benefit of your workout sessions, you should consider investing in a set of free weights. Alternatively, you can get a membership to your local gym. Either way, access to additional weights and equipment will open the door to a whole new world of exercise possibilities.

© 2019 Nutrients Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns about your health. Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you have heard or read in this article or the internet.