The simple pushup is one of the finest of all exercises. It is easy to learn, requires no special equipment, and can be modified a variety of ways. Pushups can be used by anyone, from the out of shape weakling to the dedicated athlete, simply by stopping when the point of exhaustion has been reached. Pushups use the weight of one’s own body to develop one’s pectorals and triceps (as well as other muscles, although to a lesser degree). They are great for building up strength and endurance.

THE BASIC PUSHUP:

To perform a simple pushup exercise, one lays face down on the floor, then slowly pushes oneself up by extending the arms (with the palms pressed against the floor). The body is then lowered and raised repeatedly, while keeping one’s back straight, without resting either on the floor or in the elevated position. This is the basic pushup (although many people get it wrong).

While performing the basic pushup exercise, one may choose to press one’s knuckles against the floor, rather than one’s palms. This helps develop the musculature of the wrists, as well as toughens the skin over one’s knuckles.

While performing the basic pushup exercise, one may choose to rest one’s weight atop one’s extended fingertips, rather than the palms or knuckles. This develops the musculature of the fingers and wrists, but should not be attempted unless one already possesses a certain degree of strength in these areas (otherwise injury could easily result). Many people who choose to do fingertip pushups use only the forefingers, middle fingers, and thumbs. Persons who have highly developed finger muscles (such as rock climbers) are capable of doing pushups upon their extended forefingers.

The "reverse pushup" is a fairly simple exercise. While in a semi-reclined seated position, one uses one’s palms to repeatedly raise and lower oneself off the floor. This is a passable substitute for "dips" if neither parallel bars nor trapdoor is available.

The basic pushup can be made more difficult by elevating one’s feet. Feet can be braced upon a tree stump, chair, or table, concentrating more of the body’s weight towards the hands. The higher one’s feet are elevated, the more difficult the exercise will become.

When performing the basic pushup, if the hands are brought close together so that the tips of the thumbs and forefingers are touching (forming a "diamond" shape), a different area of the muscles will be worked, greatly increasing the difficulty of this simple exercise.

These are simply elevated pushups with the entire body’s weight concentrated upon one’s hands. This is best accomplished by bracing one’s feet against a wall or tree (or one’s ankles could be grasped by a training partner). Some athletes are capable of actually doing "handstand pushups," although I’ve never seen anyone be able to do more than ten before losing their balance.