The push-up is an basic exercise we all should master. Getting into proper form is essential, and this video provides three quick tips for doing it right.
Marc Perry of BuiltLean says you can start by practicing air push-ups (you don’t have to even do an actual push up yet — easy!). Then remember that the only part of your body that you should be moving during the push up are your arms. And, finally, keep your shoulders away from your ears:
Keeping your shoulders down away from your ears can help protect your shoulder joint and yield the greatest strength output. There is a common tendency for people to shrug their shoulders toward their ears when completing a push-up.
So how do you ensure your shoulders are locked down properly and your lat (latissimus dorsi) muscles are contracted?
If you think about pulling the floor toward you as you lower down to the ground and twist your hands outward, it will help engage the lat muscles to stabilise your shoulder. The push-up is a full body exercise, not a chest exercise!
When your lat muscle underneath your shoulder is contracted, it immediately pulls your shoulder back and down away from your ears, which makes your very mobile shoulder much more stable. I want to thank Chris McGrath of Movement First for this tip.
You’ll find even more tips for proper push-ups at the link below.
3 Tips to Master Push-Up Form [The Huffington Post]
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