How to do a proper push-up

Teach: How to do a proper push-up

What to say

A proper push-up starts in a straight plank, hands a little wider than your shoulders and your body in one line from head to heels. Keep your stomach and glutes tight. Lower your chest toward the floor with elbows angled back at about forty-five degrees, not flared out, until your chest is a fist above the ground, then press the floor away. Use a bench or wall to make it easier.

What to show, in order

1. Place your hands a little wider than your shoulders, fingers pointing forward.
2. Step your feet back into a plank and squeeze your glutes and stomach so your body is one straight line.
3. Keep your neck long, eyes on the floor slightly ahead of your hands.
4. Bend your elbows back at about forty-five degrees from your body as you lower.
5. Stop when your chest is about a fist above the floor, keeping the line from head to heels.
6. Press the floor away until your arms are straight, without letting your hips lead.
7. Put your hands on a bench, a counter or a wall to make it easier while you build up.

When to stop and call a professional

• You have a heart condition, high blood pressure, a recent injury or surgery, or you are unsure whether exercise is safe for you: ask a clinician before you start.
• You feel chest pain, pressure, faintness or unusual breathlessness: stop and call your local emergency number, 911 in the US.
• You feel sharp pain in the shoulder, elbow or wrist rather than muscle effort: stop and have it checked by a clinician or physical therapist.

The check question

Ask: Where should your elbows point as you lower? Answer: Back at about forty-five degrees

From EveryManSkills. General information, not professional advice.