Mary Beth Manning

TIP:

Do PUSH UPS as this exercise targets a number of muscles!

You start with a modified version with knees bent on the floor, ankles
crossed, arms wide (but not too wide as you don’t want to strain the
rotator cuff) and fingers spread apart, putting more pressure on the meaty
part of the thumb. You should feel the muscles across your chest engage as
you slowly lower your torso to the floor. Keep you head in neutral
alignment. You don’t want to be looking up or below, just straight down with
no strain to the neck.

Keep your body in a stiff plank position so there is no sway back or pelvis dipped towards the floor. This will work your core muscles, your pectorals, your triceps amd shoulders. Do three sets working your way up from 4 reps if a beginner to 15 reps 3 or 4 times( every other day or every day if you have the strength). Once you have mastered this, move on to a straight leg push up with both legs straight out behind you.

Again, keeping a strong plank position. Push ups will strengthen the upper body muscles all at once and if you do enough of them at a clipped pace they will jack up your heart rate which will be a  boost to  your metabolism and with summer coming we all want  to wear our tank tops and sleeve less
sundresses with pride!

- Mary Beth Manning
Personal Trainer
wellbodywellspirit.com

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