Dan
http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201103/killer-abs-try-some-push-ups
EXCERPT:
Not many of us love the push-up. Sure, it’s relatively safe and effective, but let’s face it, it's kind of boring. It's something we did in P.E. class.
But what if you realized that the push-up would not only help you get a stronger upper body, but also a stronger midsection?
It's true. The push-up incorporates the stabilization muscles of your core, combining an upper-body pushing movement with a plank -- one of the best and most basic exercises for your midsection.
In fact, according to Nick Tumminello, trainer and owner and operator of the Performance University gym in Baltimore, Md., the push-up can effectively replace the sit-up.
“The push-up is basically a plank position," Tumminello says, "so it’s actually a great abdominal exercise and there’s no reason to do planks if you can do (a significant number of) push-ups."
Push-ups are a higher value plank. You’re not only strengthening your abdominals by holding them still while gravity’s trying to push your hips towards the ground, but you’re also strengthening your upper-body pushing muscles: your chest, shoulders and triceps.”
What else can a push-up do for you?
For many men, the bench press is a temptress -- the key to getting a big chest and, sometimes, an inflated ego.
“How much can you bench?” is ingrained in our fitness conversations because of the tangibility of numerous 45-lb. plates on the barbell. “How many push-ups can you do?” is not, however, even though push-ups are a much better indicator of relative strength, since you’re forced to push the mass of your body against the forces of gravity and stabilize your core.
For many women, a full push-up is a tease, a noble fitness goal that’s rarely achieved despite countless sets of knee push ups and other push-up variations.
“I have seen women who can hammer out forty plus kneeling push-ups who still can’t do one regular push-up," Tumminello says. "I’ve never trained a female who can bang out forty plus or even ten plus incline push-ups at about a bench height and not be able to hammer out at least one or two push ups from the floor."
So what's the best way for both men and women to perfect the push-up? Here are some tips -- no As-Seen-On-TV equipment needed:
But what if you realized that the push-up would not only help you get a stronger upper body, but also a stronger midsection?
It's true. The push-up incorporates the stabilization muscles of your core, combining an upper-body pushing movement with a plank -- one of the best and most basic exercises for your midsection.
In fact, according to Nick Tumminello, trainer and owner and operator of the Performance University gym in Baltimore, Md., the push-up can effectively replace the sit-up.
“The push-up is basically a plank position," Tumminello says, "so it’s actually a great abdominal exercise and there’s no reason to do planks if you can do (a significant number of) push-ups."
Push-ups are a higher value plank. You’re not only strengthening your abdominals by holding them still while gravity’s trying to push your hips towards the ground, but you’re also strengthening your upper-body pushing muscles: your chest, shoulders and triceps.”
What else can a push-up do for you?
For many men, the bench press is a temptress -- the key to getting a big chest and, sometimes, an inflated ego.
“How much can you bench?” is ingrained in our fitness conversations because of the tangibility of numerous 45-lb. plates on the barbell. “How many push-ups can you do?” is not, however, even though push-ups are a much better indicator of relative strength, since you’re forced to push the mass of your body against the forces of gravity and stabilize your core.
For many women, a full push-up is a tease, a noble fitness goal that’s rarely achieved despite countless sets of knee push ups and other push-up variations.
“I have seen women who can hammer out forty plus kneeling push-ups who still can’t do one regular push-up," Tumminello says. "I’ve never trained a female who can bang out forty plus or even ten plus incline push-ups at about a bench height and not be able to hammer out at least one or two push ups from the floor."
So what's the best way for both men and women to perfect the push-up? Here are some tips -- no As-Seen-On-TV equipment needed:
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