The Great PUSH-UP

Many of us hate push-ups, avoid them like smelly socks, or think they're only for the buff type'. Get those thoughts out of your head right away! These hints will help you to nail them like a pro

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We could blame classic military films for making us dislike push-ups, with their 'drop-and-give-100' phrases, or maybe it's because they're quite hard to pull off. Either way, it's time to shift our mindset and start falling in love with push-ups.

BUILD STRENGTH

From better posture to stronger bones, research shows the many benefits of push-ups. Since they maximise the use of the muscles in the upper body, push-ups are a simple, equipment-free way to strengthen and tone. We rely on chest, triceps, and shoulders for many activities, from picking things up to pushing a trolley. More upper-body strength can improve your functional fitness, making it easier to do daily activities.

ENGAGE YOUR CORE

When done correctly, push-ups are a great way to stabilise and strengthen your core. And when we say core, we mean more than just your six-pack we're talking about muscles like the transverse abdominis (deep core muscles supporting the spine) and the multifidus (series of small muscles along the spine).

While we may want rock-hard abs, having a strong core is great for everything as it helps you maintain proper form. If you want to take it a step further, research shows that advanced push-ups performed on unstable surfaces like an exercise ball are particularly effective for stabilising the core.

GET YOUR HEART RACING