1. Start with modified push-ups: Before you can do a full push-up, you need to develop the right muscle strength and stability. Begin with modified push-ups instead of jumping straight into the tough ones. For example, you can do knee push-ups as they ease the weight that you need to lift with your arms and allow you to focus on good form. This will help you build up the necessary upper body strength, and over time, you’ll progress to full push-ups.
2. Maintain proper form: One of the most common mistakes newbies make when doing push-ups is to let their hips drop, which puts stress on the lower back. Maintain proper form by keeping your hips level with the rest of your body, using a straight line from head to heels. At the same time, tighten your abs to help keep your lower body stable as you push up and down.
3. Engage your core : Push-ups are not just an upper body exercise. They require you to engage your core muscles too. This involves your abdominals, back muscles, and hips, which help stabilize your body as you lower and raise yourself. To do this, focus on keeping your abs tight throughout the push-up. The stronger and more stable your core, the easier it is to do push-ups.
4. Control your breathing: Breathing properly makes a huge difference when it comes to doing push-ups. Inhale as you lower your body towards the ground and exhale as you push your body back up. This helps to oxygenate your muscles and provide them with the necessary energy to complete each rep.
5. Practice consistently: Like any exercise, push-ups require practice to get better. Incorporate push-ups into your daily workout routine. Start small, with just a few reps at a time, and gradually the of push-ups as you get stronger and more comfortable with the movement.
6. Progress slowly: As you get stronger, you’ll want to push yourself to do more push-ups. However, it’s important to progress slowly. Going from just a few reps to dozens overnight can be overwhelming and put you at risk of injury. Instead, aim to increase the number of reps gradually. For example, add a few more reps each week or do sets of push-ups with short breaks in between.
7. Mix up your hand placement: You can work different muscles in your chest, shoulders, and arms by changing your hand placement on the ground when doing push-ups. For example, placing your hands close together will work your triceps more than your pecs, while a wider hand placement will shift the focus more onto the chest.
In conclusion, learning how to do push-ups takes time and consistent practice. Focus on developing good form, engaging your core muscles, breathing properly, and gradually increasing your reps. With patience and dedication, you’ll be able to do push-ups like a pro before you know it!