The simple press-up

[Bastich]

When i returned to karate three weeks ago i was amazed at how phsically tired i was the following day. Most of this was caused by the press-up exercises we were instructed to do. I could hardly lift my arms and my chest was bruised.

I have since started to do a least 100 hundred press-ups every day along side my stretching. Not all in one go i might add usually about 30 at time.

Now what i have noticed in a very short time is the obvious toning of the arms but also the stomach, chest and back. I cannot recommend press-ups enough. A simple exercise that i never gave proper credit to.

[bushido_man96]

It is a good exercise, and I have been trying to do more of them. Its been sporadic at best for me lately, so I'm going to try to get my routine going again.

[Kuma]

Best way to really get used to them is once you roll out of bed, crank em out. Eventually it's a good part of your morning routine. I do seiken pushups every day now thanks to doing that.

[Truestar]

I'm actually unfamiliar with the term press-up, are these push ups or something similar?

If so, are you doing them any specific way to feel them so much? Nothing like a small morning routine especially if it can be done in a reasonable amount of space!

[akedm]

"I'm actually unfamiliar with the term press-up, are these push ups or something similar? "

Same here.

[Kuma]

Press up is a push up, just a different term in the UK.

[tallgeese]

Gotcha. Yup, they have a place in any workout regimine.

[Truestar]

Cool. I normally just do a classic push up then, I remember something about Hindu pushups and more but have never experimented. Any good ones? Sounds like Bastich has a pushup that tones more than just the upper body.

[nacal]

push ups/press ups are great for your upper body muscles but also for joints and cartilage in your shoulders and spine.

I know you can do push ups on your fists and fingertips with benefits for those immediate area's.

Any other varients on the push up?

[Kuma]

There's probably an infinite variety. Maybe we can all spice this thread up a bit and share some of our favorites.

Here's some of mine:

**Diamond/kanku pushups, hands together forming a triangle under your chest.

**Elevated pushups, feet up on high object

**Handstand pushups, walk up wall so you're facing it then do some pushups

**Superman pushups, extend your arms as far as you can and keep them close.

**Clapping pushups, on the up part push up and clap your hands then back to the pushup position so you don't land on your face.