| The incline pushup is a challenging and effective | | | | |
| bodyweight exercise almost anyone can perform. It is | | | | 1. Place your hands shoulder width apart on an object |
| a variation on a traditional pushup that will explode the | | | | that elevates them off the floor (a chair, phone book |
| lower areas of your pectoral muscles. The key to | | | | or coffee table work great). |
| doing this exercise is finding a chair, table, or something | | | | 2. Your toes should be on the floor. |
| else sturdy to elevate your hands/upper body off the | | | | 3. Lower your body towards the object and then back |
| floor. | | | | up. |
| The reason this is considered an "incline" pushup is | | | | 4. Repeat 10-20 times and do 3-5 sets (beginners do |
| because by elevating your hands and upper body off | | | | 1-2 sets).Generally speaking you will find this pushup |
| the floor you are positioning your body on an "incline." | | | | easier to do than a traditional pushup or a decline |
| However, this has the opposite effect on your pectoral | | | | pushup (feet elevated off the ground). |
| muscles than an incline bench press. The incline bench | | | | A couple things to remember when performing this |
| press works your upper pectoral muscles because | | | | exercise is to keep your abs tight and don't let your |
| you are on your back lying on a bench. This incline | | | | lower back sink. This can result in lower back pain. |
| causes your back to be closer to the ground and your | | | | Also, if you experience pain in your shoulder or have |
| chest facing upwards. The incline pushup works your | | | | chronic shoulder pain, talk with a healthcare provider |
| lower pectoral muscles because the positioning has | | | | before doing this exercise again. |
| your chest closer to ground and your back facing | | | | When traditional pushups get boring, or if you are |
| upwards with your hands and arms bracing you for | | | | looking to avoid the plateau effect, utilizing different |
| support. | | | | push up variations like the incline pushup can help |
| Here is how to perform the exercise: | | | | progress you further with your fitness goals. |
| Incline Pushup (Targets your lower chest) | | | | |