Monday, February 27, 2012

Exercise of the Week - Week 3

With two weeks under our belts, ARE WE READY FOR WHAT WEEK 3 HAS FOR US?

Good ole Push-ups!  Do you remember those?

I'm sure you do, but as a reminder I've attached the step by step instructions as well as a video with a few modified versions.  If your experiences in the past with push-ups have been difficult, I encourage you to  try one of the modified versions.



Step 1

Starting Position: Come to a hands and knees position (quadruped) on the mat with your hands directly under your shoulders; fingers facing forward, or slightly inward and knees under your hips. Engage the abdominals and pull the shoulder blades down your back.


Step 2

Reach one leg out and away followed by the other leg, bringing you to plank position. Keep the abdominals/core engaged to brace the torso. Your head should be aligned with your spine. Your feet are together with your toes tucked under and your heels reaching toward the wall behind you.

Step 3

Downward Phase: Slowly bend the elbows, lowering your body toward the floor. Keep the torso rigid and the head aligned with your spine. Do not allow your low back or ribcage to sag or your hips to hike upward. Engage your butt (glutes) and thigh (quadriceps) muscles to help maintain stability and a rigid body. Try to lower yourself until your chest or chin touch the mat or floor. Your elbows should stay close to the sides of your body or be allowed to flare outwards slightly.

Step 4

Upward Phase: Press upward through your arms, straightening the elbows. Keep the torso rigid and head aligned with your spine. Imagine pushing the floor away from you. Do not allow your low back to sag or your hips to hike upward. 

Step 5
An alternative position is to keep your fingers facing forward and your elbows close to your sides during the downward phase. This shifts the emphasis from the chest muscles onto the triceps and may reduce stresses in the shoulder joint.


Favorite TV show + Push-ups during the commercial breaks = Happy muscles


Love you guys to Health

Mrs. Nez

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