Push-up variations and more!! [Archive] - BodyWeightCulture.com - Free Body Weight Exercises for muscle gain, weight loss and more

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Pryrates
Sep 01, 2006, 07:19 AM
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Thank you Pryrates for sharing your knowledge and contributing to BWC! We are making this post a sticky! :-D
If anyone else feels that they would like to contribute their knowledge to BWC in the form of an article please feel free to let us know.
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If you find things in this text that a wrong or have a further information I should add just write in the thread or am pm to me.
I'm not an Englishman so there will be very much spelling and language mistakes in here...

This article is about an excercise that will improve your strength, conditioning and health. You can do it everywhere, without that you need to go to a gym. I'm talking about the famous, the fantastic, the great...


Push-Ups


Since there are always some people wondering about push-up variations and where to look them up, I decided to make an article about them. I'm going to give you information about this exercise and some of its variations. In the end of this article I will write about actuell push-up world records.

Remember you can do many of the variations listed in here on one arm or at push-up bars!
Also feel free to think about new Variations!


Information before you start:

In the text, I will give to most variation some "under"-variations. Those can change the stress put on your muscles, so that I want to give some information about such changings first.

Feet elevated: Makes the variations more difficult, becauses it increases the stress on your muscles. Also it changes the work of the chest in this exercise because the arm angle is changing.
On knuckles: The forearms must stabilize here much. Also the triceps and chest work more because you are a bit higher than with flat hand, that means you have more range of motion.
On fists: More range of motion ---> triceps and chest must work a little more.
On fingertips: More range of motion ---> triceps and chest must work a little more.
On bent fingertips: Same as with fingertips but a little less range of motion.
On knees: Make all the variations much easier!
On one leg: The quadtriceps works here noteworthy, too, and there is much more stabilizing work needed. More stress for the core.
Wide hands: Less triceps work more chest work.
Close hands: More triceps less chest work.

For the planche push-ups:

Finger facing forward: Easiest variation.
Finger facing backwards: Hardest variation, shoulders must work more.
On paralletes: Difficulty between finger forward and backward.

Ok. Now let's start with the variations. First off the legendary normal push-up!


Chapter 1: "Normal" push-up Variations

1.) The standart push-up

Execution:
The palms should be at shoulder-width. The body must remain straight throughout, i.e., no bending at knees or waist. The body must be lowered until at least 90 degree-angle is attained at the elbow and the body is parralel to the ground. The body must then be raised until the arms are straight.
http://www.recordholders.org/images/pushup.gif

Benefits:
The standart push-up works chest, triceps, shoulders, abs and lower back.

Variations:
a) Elevated feet
b) On knuckles
c) On fist
d) On fingertips
e) On bent fingertips
f) On one finger (oouch!)
g) On knees
h) Wide hands. Palms more than should-width.
i) Close hands. Palms less than shoulder-width.
h) Only one leg on ground


2.) Tool push-up

Execution:
A normal push-up done on e.g. balls.

Benefits:
More stress for shoulders and forearms, because they have to stabilize more. Works also triceps, chest, abs and lower back.

Variations:
a) Hands on an medcine ball
b) A medcine ball for each hand
c) On a yoga ball
d) With resistance band (http://www.bodyweightculture.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=288)
...


3.) The Hindu push-up

Execution:
http://www.bronzebowpublishing.com/WPFureyPushUp.gif

Beneftis:
Hindu pushups get you into incredible shape very fast because the entire body is engaged in the exercise, making it a compound movment hitting all the major muscle groups, including the legs, back, chest, shoulders, arms, hips and abdominals. Trains also flexibility of your back.

Variations:
a) Feet on an unstable object e.g. Yoga-ball
b) On Fingertips
c) On fists
d) Only one leg on the ground


4.) The Dive-Bomber push-up

Execution:
Start similar to the Hindu push-up, but when you reach the extended back position go back the same way you've come into that position, instead of going straight into the start position.

Benefits:
Again most major body parts are worked. Anyway Matt Furey doesn't recommend this variation compared with the Hindu push-up, as he explains here (http://www.mattfurey.com/hindu_pushups.html).

Variations:
a) On Fingertips
b) On fists
c) Only one leg one the ground


5.) One-arm push-up

Execution
Same as standart push-up, but with only one arm. Try to keep back straight. You can make it a bit easier by spreading your feet.

Benefits:
Works the triceps and shoulders very much. Trains also chest, abs, lower back.

Variations:
a) Elevated feet
b) On knuckles
c) On fist
d) On fingertips
e) On bent fingertips
f) On knees
g) Only one leg on ground


6.) Shifting push-up

Execution:
Start in a wide arm pushup position. From here you lean to one side and do like a one arm pushup. Leave your other arm on the ground but keep most of your weight on your pushup arm. Push straight up and down, then switch sides and do the same on the other arm. Feet should be together.

Benefits:
Like the Benefits of one-arm push-up but with less stress on triceps and shoulders.

Variations:
a) Elevated feet
b) On knuckles
c) On fist
d) On fingertips
e) On knees
f) Only one leg on ground


7.) Chinese push-up

Execution:
Perform a traditional push-up. In the down position, the athlete will move his/her body, using their toes, forward approximately 6-10 inches supporting body weight on both wrists and focusing on their shoulder stabilizers. Then the athlete will return back to the original down position, complete the push-up and repeat the process.

Down position:
http://www.coachillustrated.com/Images/content/pushup3.jpg

Forward position:
http://www.coachillustrated.com/Images/content/pushup4.jpg

Benefits:
Forearm, triceps, core shoulder and calve a bit.

Variations:
a) On Fingertips
b) Hand backwards
c) Only one leg on the ground


8.) The T-push-up

Execution:
Go down as in a normal push-up, and when coming up, turn your body sideways and bring one hand off the ground to point to the ceiling

Benefits:
More stabilizing work in shoulders amd cre is used more. Triceps and chest for the pushing movement.


9.) Jack Lalanne push-up #1

Execution:
You go in a position similar to the end part of using an ab wheel and do a push-up in that position.

That's Jack Lalanne himself with that type of push-up on his fingertips
http://www.jacklalanne.com/fingertip2.jpg

Benefits:
Works the shoulders & core more to stabilize the body in that unused position. Triceps for the lift..

Variations:
a) Feet elevated
b) On Fingertips
c) On knees
d) One feet on the ground


10.) Jack Lalanne push-up #2

A little bit confusing but there are actually two push-up types called Jack Lalanne push-up...

Execution:
Stand on a chair (or a box, or whatever) with the body piked so that the hands are on the ground near the chair. (The nearer the hands are to the chair, the more difficult the exercise is.) Now bend and straighten your arms.

Benefits:
Can be used to work towards the handstandpushup. Works more triceps and shoulder especially if you are close enough to the chair.

Variations:
a) On Fingertips


11.) Handstand push-up

Execution:
Go into a handstand, then lower yourself down towards the floor until you are near above the ground. Press up in the handstand again.

Benefits:
Great for the shoulders. Trains also triceps very good. Abs and lower back are only needed to stabilize the handstand (together with shoulders).


12.) Diamond push-up

Execution:
Hands are together with pointer finger and thumb touching. Lower yourself down with the forehead touching the center of the diamond. Press up again.

Benefits:
The triceps is here more required than in the standart push-up. Chest, shoulders, abs and lower back are also trained.

Variations:
a) Feet elevated
b) On knees
c) On one leg


13.) Tiger push-ups

Execution and Benefits (http://www.bodyweightculture.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=146)


14.) Plank push-ups

Execution:
Go in the plank position (Elbows underneath your shoulders, forearm straight out in front of you). Now push up, but let your hands rest where they were in plank position. Go down again, until your elbows are close to the floor and press up again.

Benefits:
Works more the triceps as the normal push-up. Abs and lower back are used to stabilize.

Variations:
a) Feet elevated
b) On knees
c) On one leg


15.) Triceps push-up

Execution:
Done linke the plank push-up, but with hands under your shoulders. Be sure you press like in the plank press, with only the triceps.

Benefits:
Triceps, triceps and triceps. Core to stabilize.

Variations:
a) Feet elevated
b) On knees
c) On one leg

Very hard one handed!!
http://www.azs.agh.edu.pl/sekcje/aerobik/link_53_pliki/image006.gif


16.) Inverted push-up

Execution:
Go in a inverted push-up position (stomach towards the ceiling) and do press-ups from that position.

Benefits:
Mostly triceps. Core to stabilize.

Variations:
a) Feet elevated
b) On Fists
c) On one leg


17.) One-arm hinge push-up

Execution:
Push-up position on one arm. Now go with your elbow down to the side (right arm right side, left arm left side) and press up again.
http://www.azs.agh.edu.pl/sekcje/aerobik/link_53_pliki/image004.gif

Benefits:
Need monster triceps power to come up again. Trains also shoulders, chest and core.

Variations:
a) Feet elevated
b) On knees
c) On one leg


Chapter 2: Planche variation push-ups

18.) Pseudo planche push up

Execution:
Push-up position with hands at hip-height and finger facing backwards. From that position press up. Can be done with hands under e.g. stomach to make it easier.

Benefits:
Much stress for the shoulders. Trains also core and triceps.

Variations:
a) Feet elevated
b) On one leg


19.) Tuck planche push-up

Execution:
Go in the tuck planche position. To get in that position squat down, put your hands in front of your feet and lean forward, until you leave the ground with your feet. Pull the feet tightly to your chest and bring hip at shoulder height. That's the tuck planche position. This can be performed with various hand positions. For the tuck planche push-up lower yourself down from that position as much as possible and press up again.
Paralletes/push-up bars are recommended (or 2 identical chairs :-) ).

Tuck planche position:
http://www.motion-online.dk/fora/uploads/post-253-1100031237.jpg

Benefits:
Mainly for shoulders, back and triceps.

Variations:
a) Finger facing forward
b) Finger facing backward
c) On paralletes/push-up bars
d) in Gymnastic rings


20.) Advanced tuck planche push-up

Execution:
Go in the advanced tuck planche position. To get in that position perform a tuck planche and make your back straight. Hip stays shoulder height.
From that position lower yourself down as much as possible and press up again. Paralettes/push-up bar recommended.

Benefits:
Shoulder get stronger and stronger ;-) . Also back and triceps are required for this exercise.

Variations:
a) Finger facing forward
b) Finger facing backward
c) On paralletes/push-up bars
d) in Gymnastic rings

21.) Straddle Planche push-up


Execution:
Go in straddle planche position (your body with spreaded feet is held only by the arms parallel to the floor). Lower yourself as much as possible down and press up again.

Benefits:
Shoulder and back are stressed enormous. Chest also needed as a mover for this skill. Triceps is also used (what else...?).

Variations:
a) Finger facing forward
b) Finger facing backward
c) On paralletes/push-up bars
d) in Gymnastic rings


22.) The planche push-up

Execution:
Go in planche position (straight body is held parallel to the floor by arms only. Lower your body down until you are close above the ground and press up again.

Benefits:
The most difficult push-up variation in this thread I suppose. Requires incredible shoulder strength and a very strong back. Also the chest must work hard for it.
Oh and some triceps should be available...


Chapter 3: Plyo/Jumping push-ups

23.) Clapping push-up

Execution:
Like a normal push-up, but when you come up jump with hands and clap one time before you land.

Benefits:
Works triceps, shoulders, chest and core.

Variations
a) Feet elevated
b) On knees
c) On one feet
d) Hands placed wider outward than shoulder-width
e) Hands placed closer than shoulder-width
f) With two or more claps in the air
g) With a clap behind the back
...

The best clapping push-up I've seen up to now was one clap in front of stomach, one behind the the back and again one in front of stomach before landing. Now beat that ;-)


24.) One hand clapping push-up

Execution:
Done like a one arm push-up, but when you come up jump of the floor and clap with your hand against your chest.

Benefits:
Triceps, shoulders, chest and core.

Variations:
a) Feet elevated
b) On knees


25.) Whole body jump push-up

Execution:
Do a push-up, but when you come up jump, so that your full body leaves the ground.

Benefits:
Core is more used in this Variation. Triceps, chest and shoulders used like in a clapping push-up.


26.) Full turn push-up

Execution:
Do a whole body jump push-up and make a 1/1 twist in the air, so that you land again in normal push up position.

Benefits:
Like in whole body jump push-up.


27.) One arm switching push-up

Execution:
Do a one arm jumping push up and land on the other arm alternating.

Benefits:
Triceps, chest, shoulder core.

Variations:
a) Feet elevated
b) On knees
c) On one leg


28.) Handstand jump push-up

Execution:
Do a Handstand push-up and jump when you come up. Land again in handstand.

Benefits:
Shoulders and triceps. Core to stabilize.

Variations:
a) With a clap


Push-up world records

All one arm push-up world records must be done on the same arm. no changing!!

Non stop push-ups: 10,507; Minoru Yoshida (JAP), Oct 1980

Push-ups in one year: 1,500,230; Paddy Doyle (GBR), Oct 1988 - Oct 1989

Push-ups in 24 hours: 46,001; Charles Servizio (USA), 24/25 April 1993

Push-ups in one hour: 3,877; Bijender Singh (IND), 20 Sept 1988

Push-ups in 30 min: 2,354; Rolf Heck (GER), 13 Nov 2000

Push-ups in 5 min: 441; Giuseppe Cusano (GBR), Loftus Road Soccer Stadium at the Fulham v. Portsmouth game on 24 Nov 2003

One arm push-ups in one week: 16,723; Paddy Doyle (GBR), Feb 1996 in Birmingham

One arm push-ups in 5 hours: 8,794; Paddy Doyle (GBR), 12 Feb 1996 in Birmingham

One arm push-ups in 1 hour: 2521; Paddy Doyle (GBR), 12 Feb 1990 in Birmingham

One arm push-ups in 30 min: 1382; Doug Pruden (CAN), 30 July 2003 at the Body Quest Health Club Edmonton

One arm push up in 10 min: 546; Doug Pruden (CAN), 30 July 2003 at the Body Quest Health Club Edmonton

Non-stop push-ups on fists: 5557 (in 3:02:30 hours), Doug Pruden (CAN), 9 July 2004, Body Quest Health Club Edmonton

1000 push-ups on fists: 18:13 minutes, Doug Pruden (CAN), 9 July 2003 at the Body Quest Health Club Edmonton

Push-ups on fingertips in 5 hours: 8,200; Terry Cole (GBR), 11 May 1996 in Walthamstow

Push-ups on one finger: 124 Paul Lynch (GBR), 21 April 1992 in London[/b]

koltz
Sep 01, 2006, 10:38 AM
Wow , this is an awesome guide super mad elite props to you , it's incompleate yet... but there are many interestign new things Ive learnt ...

There should be some more info on various pushups and so and some muscles are not mentioned or are mentioned falsly on benefits... for example on straddle and full planches the chest is actually used as a mover

Pryrates
Sep 01, 2006, 11:05 AM
My Problem is there that I'm not able yet to do them so I dunno all bout it...
That's why I need your help!

So please correct the incomplete given benefits and say what variations you also want in it... And if in ypur opinion I shall change anything of the form and styling, also just write in here :-)
I will edit it then.

MJ
Sep 01, 2006, 11:07 AM
Good work =D>

Sep 01, 2006, 11:19 AM
Very very nice. =D>

Thank you for posting. :!:

plancheismine
Sep 01, 2006, 12:38 PM
Great Guide :wink: =D>
Sticky it

Pryrates
Sep 13, 2006, 06:06 AM
I have added Hindu pu; dive bomber pu; T pu; jack lalanne push-up #1 and #2 and chinese pu now.

More suggestion and improvements ideas just write a pm...

ejempire
Sep 26, 2006, 11:54 PM
damnz so many lol very nice ^_^

thanks xD

Appleman
Oct 25, 2006, 09:28 PM
A new one for every day, ha? :lol:

Doug
Dec 12, 2006, 06:32 PM
Wow I just discovered this site yesterday. Cant wait to get started on some of those new variations Ive learned today. :D

frenchbody
Feb 23, 2007, 04:46 PM
Bravo for this post!!!!!!!

crazydan
Mar 02, 2007, 11:31 PM
we should add more. here are a few
pulsing
guerilla pushups
Cat pushups
Throw up
pushup on top of table (alt)
push change
8 count body builder
chest dip
Pushup between blocks
Band pushup
Ring pushup
Power overs
Depth plyo pushups
Front to back clap pushup

Pryrates
Mar 03, 2007, 06:09 AM
When I have more time I'll try to add them...
Thanks for those additions.

pedro luiz paulucci
Sep 12, 2007, 04:16 PM
This is very complete, but if we try to complete more it we can do a book.
Thank you for all this information!

fuquan
Jan 29, 2008, 04:34 PM
Greetings,
I a new-jack to the game. After reviewing the pushup variety article, I'm intersted in finding out if anyone has a recommendation for a pushup routine for a middle-aged former weight-lifter who wants to reach that magical number of 100 rep number.

lukesimpson
Jan 29, 2008, 05:50 PM
That's an awesome guide mate ! Its like a Bible ! Untill now i have only known of the push up variations taught by Matt Furey in his combat conditioning. Some of the styles you posted i am unclear about. 1 mostly - the one arm push up. I can do 4 on each arm but i can only do them by twisting my body. Could you please send me a photo or video on them ?Thanks Mate !Luke.

Razor
Feb 02, 2008, 07:27 PM
Just looked through the push-up variations again and I have to say: "Good work!" to whoever modified it to make it look nicer for the eye. Now it looks A LOT better than at 1th.

Bravo!

Muskrat
Mar 29, 2008, 01:53 PM
The tiger pushup info link is dead. Can anyone tell me once and for all what "tiger pushups" are? There seems to be alot of confusion.