Is The Pushup THE Perfect Exercise? Checkmate...
Introduction
If you have a history of strong men, chances are your grandfather used the to time tested push-up to build a strong, powerful physique while becoming functionally strong. Did he require any fancy gadgets? No! And guess what? Neither do you!
Pushups are one of the oldest and most universally practiced exercises across the globe. Despite their simplicity, pushups pack a powerful punch when it comes to providing a comprehensive workout. While they’re typically associated with upper body strength, the truth is they work far more than just your arms and chest. The perfect blend of strength training, core engagement, and cardio elements makes pushups an exceptional choice for anyone, regardless of their fitness level. Here’s why pushups should be an indispensable part of your exercise regimen.
- Whole Body Exercise
- Cost-Effective
- Promotes Functional Strength
- Cardiovascular Benefits
- Flexibility
- Adaptability
- Improves Posture
- Mental Health Benefits
Let’s dive in a bit deeper on each one of the benefits above that demand you incorporate pushups into your workout regimen.
Whole Body Exercise
Pushups are a compound exercise, meaning they work multiple muscle groups simultaneously. They engage your chest, shoulders, triceps, and core – which includes your abdominal, lower back, and pelvic muscles – all at once. In addition, maintaining proper form during a pushup requires engagement from the lower body, ensuring your legs and glutes aren’t left out.
Cost-Effective
The most beautiful aspect of pushups is that they require no gym membership, no equipment, and no special clothing. They are completely free, and with just a little floor space, you can do them anywhere, anytime – be it at home, at the office, in the park, or while traveling. All you need is a bit of floor space and your body.
Promotes Functional Strength
Functional strength is the force that helps us perform daily life activities efficiently and without injury. Pushups are functional because they use multiple muscle groups together, utilizing the same muscles required for real-life motions. This simultaneous engagement helps improve coordination, balance, and reaction times, all of which are essential for preventing injuries and improving physical performance.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Though primarily a strength-training exercise, pushups also offer cardiovascular benefits. Performing pushups at a moderate to high intensity can increase your heart rate, allowing you to achieve both strength training and cardiovascular exercise in a single workout.
Flexibility
Pushups can enhance the flexibility of your posterior muscle groups by stretching them as you lower your body to the ground. The bending and stretching involved can improve the flexibility of your shoulders, rotator cuffs, and biceps, mitigating the risk of injury in these areas.
Adaptability
Pushups are incredibly versatile. First of all, the difficulty is relatively easy to modify – you can increase or decrease the degree of difficulty, target different muscle groups, or meet individual fitness levels and goals. The possibilities are virtually endless, from knee pushups for beginners to diamond pushups for advanced athletes.
Improves Posture
A regular pushup routine can aid in improving your posture. Since pushups require a strong core for proper execution, they effectively strengthen the muscles necessary for maintaining a straight body posture, helping you stand tall and confident.
Mental Health Benefits
Like other forms of physical exercise, pushups can help reduce stress and improve mood. Regular physical activity boosts the production of endorphins, often known as the body’s “feel-good hormones.”
Take It To The Next Level
Pyramids are a proven method for taking your fitness to the next level. Bust through plateaus and personal bests with this time proven technique.
When pairing the physique gains one can achieve from push-ups along with the plateau busting protocol of pyramids, this synergistic combination leads to more progress than you may have ever thought possible.
