My training determination has helped me pass burpee after burpee, requiring home fitness programs, half marathons, and quick swim intervals. But, my willpower has historically disappeared since minute push-ups appeared. For as long as I can remember, it has been the only movement that has challenged me both mentally and physically to the point of giving up.
Honestly, the main reason for this is because I could not do proper flex: either my hips were too high, my elbows too wide, or I couldn’t keep the flight low enough. However, the more strength classes I took at home, the more push-ups appeared, so I told myself it was time to face the music and at least try to improve my performance.
Four months after my goal, I can see a lot of progress in my skills. I may not be able to spread out and give him 20 (or even 10) perfect push-ups, but now I can slowly conquer five, and I owe it all to the perseverance and small adjustments in my routine ahead.
I embraced the modifications
Falling to my knees used to make me feel like a failure, so I refused to do it. Well, what followed was a really bad way, and therefore a totally ineffective move. Finally, following the advice of my virtual training instructors and adopting modifications, I started to kneel or made the movement on a slope, so that I could go down to the ground and maintain the central commitment, as well as the correct position of the arm. In fact, I felt my triceps and abs going!
Related: Get strong, toned arms with this fun pushup variation
I started small
After a time of exclusively doing knee push-ups, I started working on one or two full push-ups in series to test my progress. I knew I wasn’t ready for a full set of full push-ups, but thanks to my commitment to modifications and the hard work I was doing, I was at least able to conquer two or three. Starting slowly with my push-up goals also helped me prevent unnecessary injuries that might have been caused by straining too hard.
I saw a ton of videos
When you work at home, and you don’t have access to the gym mirrors, it’s a little difficult to know that you lack form. To better understand where in the movement I needed to focus, I set up my phone and filmed myself doing push-ups. After reviewing my form, I set out to study my instructors’ push-ups during workouts, as well as other fitness instructors on Instagram.
Related: 13 printable exercises without equipment, at home to try now
I started strength training
Adding more core and upper body workouts to my exercise routine helped me strengthen my body, making it better able to tackle the notoriously difficult movement. Not only do I see a difference in the tone of my arms, but I also experience fewer muscle tremors as I lift my body back to the pushup position of a lizard. Now that my core is stronger, I am able to hold my entire body strong (no more hip drops!) While I also crouch to the ground.
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