Push-Up Variations

Push-ups are one of the best bodyweight exercises you can do and a great way to build upper body strength. Unfortunately for many people, push-ups can either be intimidating or boring — they are either unable to do a solid one or they stop doing them because it’s the same old push-up every time. In this short video, Chris Freytag provides great fitness tips on push-up variations to help you mix up your workouts and get the most from each push-up.

Chris will start by demonstrating the proper form of a traditional push-up, with the modification being on your knees. Next, she’ll have you add a punch to your push-ups! Take your feet just a little bit wider to open up the base before lowering yourself down and then pushing yourself up with a punch. Another one of Chris’s push-up variations is a push-up into a side plank. She’ll show you how to add a side plank onto your push-up and also how to modify these push-up variations on your knees if needed.

Downward dog push-ups are next, starting in the downward dog position with your hips in the air, pushing your heels towards the earth. You’ll drop down and come back up into a push-up, again modifying on your knees if necessary to get the most out of your push-up.

Last but not least, Chris will demonstrate the tricep push-up, which pulls the elbows in tighter to the body so you can really feel it in the back of the arms. Pushing yourself all the way down and all the way back up, you’ll work those triceps and your entire body.

All exercises you perform are your own responsibility and you perform them at your own risk. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider before starting any physical exercise, fitness or wellness regiments of any kind.