Let’s talk about pushup – one of the simplest (but tougher!) Body weight exercises out there. And recently, pushups have a dot.
When Dr. Vonda Wright appeared on a Mel Robbins podcast episode And these women should be able to make 11 pushups on their toes, started a viral wave in the social media. Suddenly, “11 pushups” became the new gym challenge – with everyone to try their strength.
But here’s the truth: this number? It’s just a number. What really matters is building your Power, in a way that works for your body and your journey.
Pushups are a strong, functional movement that builds muscles on your chest, shoulders, hands and core – no equipment is required. And the best place? You can do them anywhere – in your living room, in the park, or while you travel.
But here is the deal: most of us don’t start to be able to hit perfect pushups on our toes. And this is not a failure! This is exactly normal. Power takes time to build and the best way to get to get smart, progressive education.
Let’s break it with a few variations to help you work until full pushups.
Proceeds to pushups
While you may be familiar with typical pushups, there are many variations that can help you start, move on or increase the difficulty.
Try making sets of 2 or 3. Then move to 5-10 in a row. Take breaks if needed. Remember what I am saying, “try for progress, not perfection.”
The execution of fewer pushups with the correct form will be better over time than completing many in the wrong form. Also remember my saying, “There is no shame in the modification game.”
You are better with a full range of motion and your knees than a pushup on your toes where you just bend your elbows. Half Motion Area = half results.
Start here: Pushup variants for beginners (with step -by -step directions)
Follow these steps to move on to your homes, starting wherever you are now!
1.
A large entry point if you are brand new in pushups or relax back after injury.


How to make the wall push ups:
- Stand the length of an arm by a wall, the legs from the width of the hip.
- Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, slightly wider than your shoulders.
- Turn on your core and keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
- Bend slowly your elbows and bring your chest to the wall, keeping your heels flat on the ground.
- Exhale and press back to your original position.
End: Do not boast your back. Stay controlled and tight through the core.
2.
A large mid -ground movement that builds power while reducing intensity.


How to do push ups slope:
- Place your hands on a durable surface, such as a bench, table or opposite -Shoulder -long distance.
- Walk your feet back to your body forms a straight line from the shoulders to the heels.
- Inhale as you bend your elbows to reduce your chest toward the edge.
- Exhale and push your palms to return to the original position. Keep your core tightly and avoid letting your hips relax or bend.
End: Start with a higher inclination and as you proceed, lower the surface you use to become stronger.
3. Kneeling pushups
This is where real progress is happening. Focus on control, not speed.


How to kneel the ups:
- Start at all four, then walk your knees back a few inches to be behind your hips.
- Place your hands right off your shoulders, keeping your elbows slightly.
- Get involved in your core and squeeze your buttocks to keep your body aligned.
- Lower your chest on the floor, with the aim of your elbows to form an angle of 45 degrees (or keep them tight on your sides for tricep focus).
- Exhale as you push back.
End: Keep your movement smooth and steady. Your chest – not your chin or hips, should drive the road down.
4. Standards pushups (fingers!)
Once you build strength and trust, try the full version. It’s okay to start with just a few repetitions.


How to make Push Ups: Standards:
- Start on a high board: hands under the shoulders, extended feet, legs-long damping between them.
- Turn on your core, press your feet and maintain a straight line from head to heels.
- Inhale as you bend your elbows -whether at a 45 -degree angle or keep them close to your Rubat and reduce your chest to the floor. (I’m a fan of Pushups Tricep I explain below.)
- Stop soon at the bottom and then exhale and push back.
End: Don’t rush! Fewer repetitions with full range and great form are better than fast, misleading projections.
Tips for Best Pushups
Good form is more important than quantity. Start loud with these tips:
- Keep your wrists stacked Just below your shoulders.
- Place your hands on dumbbells If you feel discomfort on the wrist, this keeps the fruits in a more neutral position and can help relieve pressure.
- Use a mat for knee or towel support for extra comfort.
- I look downNot ahead. Keep your neck in a neutral position.
- Turn on your core to protect your spine.
- Breathe with control -inhale on the way down, exhale as you push.
- Focus on a full range of motion. You have to stretch a muscle. To reinforce it. Going low (in good form!) Is the key to building power and projection of results.
Elbow: narrow versus 45 degrees
Let’s talk about the corner of your elbow because yes, it matters.
You may be wondering how elbow placement can affect the difficulty or stress of the joint. Here’s the scoop:
I am a big fan of keeping your elbows hidden near your cage -Think of “close pushup” or “tricep pushup”. This style is more involved in triceps, targeting the chest in a slightly different way, and most importantly, it puts Less stress on your shoulders.
In fact, I teach almost all my clients this variant. It’s a win-win for:
- Stronger weapons
- Defined triceps
- Happier shoulders
Try to think about brushing your upper hands along your sides as you lower – you may feel more difficult, but it is worth it for the power and protection of the joints you will win.
Culture Shift: Pushups are progress
Pushups are a skill, not a pass/fail test. Even if you start from Wall Pushups, you still do the job and that’s what is more important. Each version reinforces your body and creates the foundations for the next.
And remember – strength training (including body weight movements such as pushups) is especially important for women as we age. The muscle is the magic for metabolism, bone density, hormone balance and functional independence. Explore my favorite training moves for women over 50 to get started!
So if pushups feel hard today? This is a good sign. It means that you cause your body and become stronger. Stick with it. You will be amazed at what your body can do consistently! And you will feel proud!