The Beginner’s Guide to a Proper Pushup
Pushups can seem intimidating, but adding this foundational exercise to your routine is a true game-changer for your fitness.
Using your own body weight as resistance, pushups are a quick, effective way to strengthen your upper body, work your core and improve shoulder stability. As you get stronger, the benefits also extend to your daily life — no more struggling to push open that heavy door! Best of all, they can be done virtually anywhere with no equipment needed.
If the thought of a pushup still sounds daunting, don’t fret. CA personal trainer Andy Guerin is here to demo proper form, point out common mistakes and share beginner-friendly variations to build your strength.
Proper form
According to Andy, you can essentially think of a pushup as a moving plank. In the demo below, he fills in the other pieces of the puzzle…
Common mistakes
To stay safe and reap the full benefits, make sure to watch out for these common pushup mistakes.
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Modifications
If you can’t support your full body weight at first, that’s totally okay! There are plenty of variations available to help you build up the strength for a full pushup.
Get stronger with personal training
If you’d like professional expertise, CA’s personal trainers are here for you! We have more than 30 skilled trainers across three fitness clubs who are passionate about helping you reach your fitness goals. Check out our blog to learn more about the benefits that our personal trainers can provide, or sign up here for a free consultation for our personal training programs.