Health aNd Fitness Guide

Begin on your hands and knees, positioning the hands slightly wider than your shoulders. The best way to ensure proper hand position is to come down to the floor as you would if you were sunbathing, lying flat on your stomach. Take your hands to your chest level and then out to the side about three to five inches. Using the chest muscles, press up, extending your arms and lifting your body off the floor. That is one push-up. Your abdominal wall should always be held firm and your hands should be kept open. As you lower your body, you should inhale as the muscles stretch. As the muscles around the lungs contract, you should expel the air. This makes a lot of sense and offers you a good supply of air as you work. The force of the exhalation can also give you a boost to the top when you get tired.

Your head should extend naturally off the shoulder and your eyes should be fixed on the floor beneath you. This will help you focus and stay in the exercise.