How to do it
- Place your hands slightly wider than your shoulders, directly under them.
- Make a straight line from head to heels by squeezing your glutes and bracing your abs.
- Lower your chest toward the floor with elbows about 45 degrees from your body.
- Press the floor away until your arms are straight.
Common mistakes
- Hips sagging or piking. Keep one straight line.
- Flaring elbows straight out to the sides. Tuck them slightly.
- Cutting the range short. Lower until your chest is close to the floor.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Put your hands on a counter, bench or sturdy chair to make an incline push-up.
Harder: Raise your feet on a step or slow each rep to a three-second lowering phase.
Coaching tip
Do fewer, better reps. Five clean push-ups beat fifteen sloppy ones.