The push up is the second greatest body weight movement for upper body strength just behind the body weight row.

Using a smith machine, power rack, or bench you can slowly increase the difficulty of the push up by decreasing your angle to the floor when comfortable.  Eventually you’ll be pushing from a kneeling position and finally doing a full push up off the floor.

Primary muscles worked.

• Pecs
• Triceps
• Shoulders

Stabilizers

• Rotator Cuff
• Traps
• Lats
• Abdominals
• Glutes

Tips:

1.  Keep your abdominals tight and your hips forward.

2.  As you lower, focus on pulling your shoulder blades together.

3.  Use tension; everything needs to be tight in order for your body to remain rigid.