4 Tips To Get Your First Push Up
Traditional push ups are an incredibly beneficial body weight exercise that will help you build upper body strength. They work the triceps, pectoral muscles, and shoulders. When done with proper form, they can also strengthen the lower back and core by engaging (pulling in) the abdominal muscles. Push ups are a fast and effective exercise for building strength that you can do anywhere, and are particularly useful when there is minimal equipment available. Here are some of the top tips I give to clients struggling with push ups:
Be Patient
Some people can do push ups well very quickly. Men typically obtain more upper body strength naturally, so don’t be discouraged if your man is able to do more than you. We all have to start somewhere and recognising where you are at, what you want and most importantly why you want it will be your biggest drivers.
You will need a whole lot of patience. Whether you’re new to fitness and strength training or you’ve been doing it for years, progression takes time. Bring a long-term mindset to your push up journey.
Do The Work
In order to achieve success in your push ups, you need to consistently turn up and repeat the basics. I created five easy-to-follow variations that my clients follow as they start to build their push ups. Watch this video to check out 7 Push Up Progressions.
Build Complimentary Exercises Into Your Routine
To help increase your push-up strength, try other exercises that will build your upper body strength. I’ve listed my favourites - all you need is access to some dumbbells or a barbell!
Dumbbell Bench Press
Shoulder Press
Tricep Dips
Skull Crushers
Forearm Plank
Lat Pull Down
Seated Row
Film Yourself
It’s becoming more common amongst beginners and those getting back into the gym to film themselves, and there’s a good reason for it. Not only is it an amazing tool to keep track of your progress over the months and even years, which can be very motivational, it can also be a great way to pinpoint what areas you need to work on.
I often see people revert back to doing push ups on their knees or incorrect form because they don’t stick long enough at the backs. Sure, it can get repetitive, however the basics always win. By investing in that time to work on a solid foundation you will always have the skills and knowledge to know that you can do it. Hard work pays off and implementing these four tips will help you on your journey to getting and maintaining your push ups.
