A short video tutorial on how to do the perfect Push Up.
In the video above, I tell you how to do push ups with proper form and how to build up to doing them on the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it bad to flare the elbows out?
If the elbows are out (i.e., abducted 90-degrees from your body) it puts unnecessary strain on the elbow tendons (a valgus strain) and reduces the amount of subacromial space in the shoulder joint which can lead to impingement.
But that’s not all, it’s simply not as efficient of a position to generate strength from and doesn’t carry over to the more difficult pushing progressions. For example, if you’re ever going to do crow pose or handstand push ups or dips, you’re going to need to keep the elbows from flaring out, so you might as well be doing pushups in a way that transfers better to those exercises.
Why do I have to keep the hips tucked?
You will notice that I emphasize posterior pelvic tilt, which is the same as the hollow body position, if you’re familiar with that term. If you arch your lower back in plank or the push up, it will put a lot of pressure on your lower back and hurt it. I talk about the importance of this positioning in my comprehensive handstand tutorial.
