Build Muscle Doing Push Ups

To get the most out of your push ups, first make sure that you have the correct form. Then proceed to do as many push ups as you comfortably can. Once you are comfortable, challenge yourself by adding more push ups. This will enable you to build muscle. You can challenge yourself further by adding weights and by varying your push ups.

Steps

Performing the Push Up

1. Make sure your form is correct. When performing the push up, your lower back must be straight, i.e., not sagging or arching, and your feet must be shoulder width apart. Your elbows should be tucked close to your body, i.e., at a 20 to 40 degree angle from your abdomen. As you go down, make sure your chest gets as close to the floor as possible.
   • Make sure to tighten your abdomen, legs, and buttocks. This will prevent your back from arching and sagging.
   • Try not to let your hips touch the floor. They should be on the same level as your shoulders.
2. Breathe correctly. When you are performing the push up, make sure to inhale as you go down. Then exhale as you go back up.
   • If it is hard for you to remember to breathe, then count out loud as you do your push ups. The act of talking will force you to breathe as you do your push ups.
3. Start out easy. Start out by doing as many push ups as you comfortably can. This is called a set. Then do two more sets. Make sure to rest for at least 30 seconds in between sets. Practice this three to four times a week, or every other day until you are comfortable.
   • For example, if you can only do seven full push ups, then start out by doing three sets of seven push ups every other day until you are comfortable.
4. Add more push ups. Once you can comfortably do your normal number of push ups, add three to five more push ups. Adding more push ups will challenge your muscles, enabling you to build more muscle.
   • For example, once you can do seven push ups comfortably, add three more push ups to make a total of ten. Make sure to do three sets of 10 push ups every other day to build your muscles further.
5. Be consistent with your routine. Make sure to stick to your routine. If you find it hard to stick to a routine, then ask a friend to join you. Alternatively, you can hire a personal trainer to keep you on track as you strive for your goal.
   • For example, if you have been doing push ups three days a week, then do not throw off your routine by reducing it to twice a week.
   • Depending on the intensity of your routine, you may see results in one to two months.

Adding Resistance

1. Wear a weighted vest. Weighted vests are a great way to add resistance to your push up and build your muscles further. Strap the weighted vest on as tight as you can while still remaining comfortable. This way, you can prevent the vest from sagging and hindering your movements. Then do your normal push ups.
   • You can purchase weighted vests from your local sporting goods store.
2. Use a weighted backpack. This is a great alternative to wearing a weighted vest. Fill a backpack with books, bags of rice, or other heavy objects. The weight of the backpack should equal to 20 percent of your body weight. Then do your normal push ups.
   • For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, then your backpack should weigh at least 24 pounds.
3. Have a friend apply pressure onto your back. While you are doing your normal push up, ask a friend to place their hand on your upper back. Tell them to apply pressure on your back as you raise yourself up from the push up.
   • Make sure your friend applies consistent pressure for each push up.

Varying Your Push Ups

1. Do an incline push up. This type of push up involves elevating your feet. Start by elevating your feet about 10 to 12 inches from the ground. Then do a normal push up.
   • Use a stack of books or another type of platform to elevate your feet.
   • The higher you elevate your feet, the harder the push up will be.
2. Do a single leg push up. Get into the normal push up position. Make sure your back is straight, your feet are shoulder width apart, and your elbows are tucked into your sides. Then lift one of your legs and perform a regular push up.
   • Do a number you are comfortable with. Then repeat the push up, lifting your other leg.
3. Try a diamond push up. Position your hands in front of your chest on the floor. Press your thumbs and fingers together to form a diamond shape with your hands. Make sure your legs and back are straight. Then do a normal push up.
   • Diamond push ups are great for working out your triceps.
4. Attempt a one-handed push up. For this push up, place your feet wider than shoulder width apart. Place one hand more to the center of your chest. Place your other hand behind your back. Then lower yourself and push up. Make sure to keep your elbow close to your body as you do your push ups.
   • If one-handed push ups are difficult for you, then start training your body by doing a regular push up, but with your hands close together like a diamond push up. This will help you progress from the regular, two-handed push ups to the more difficult one-handed push ups.
5. Try a plyometric push up. Get into the standard push up position. Lower yourself to the floor as you normally would while doing a regular push up. As you extend back up, push up as fast as you can and with as much force as you can until your hands become airborne. Then go back to the starting position and repeat.
   • Challenge yourself by clapping your hands while they are airborne in between push ups.

Tips

• Stay hydrated by drinking water in between sets.
• Do your push ups during your down time; for example during TV commercials, before you shower, or during your lunch break.

Related Articles

• Work up to a Handstand Push Up
• Do a Modified (Abridged) Push Up
• Do Crunches
• Do Pullups
• Do Sit Ups

Sources and Citations

See also

• Do Divebomber Pushups
• Do a One Arm Pull Up
• Do a Wall Push Up
• Work up to a Handstand Push Up
• Do a One Armed Push Up
• Do 1000 Push Ups
• Increase the Number of Pushups You Can Do
• Do a Clapping Push Up
• Do Hindu Pushups
• Do a Push Up

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