*Push Up

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A regular or standard Push Up is done on the hands and toes. Some will have to work their way up to doing this exercise by starting with modified versions first. In the prone or face down position, place your hands on the floor shoulder width or slightly wider, right under the shoulder/chest area. Extend the body out straight like a plank and raise up on the toes. Do not allow your butt to sway toward the floor or point to the ceiling. Only the hands and toes should be touching the floor at this point. Begin by controlling the body as you lower to a comfortable stretch for the shoulder/chest area. When you feel you have gone low enough, begin the upward portion of the exercise by pushing the hands into the floor and raising back up to the starting position. Always work on using a big range of motion with the push up as too many people get comfortable moving up and down only a little way in order to do more repetitions. Keep focussing on travelling further up and down with this exercise.

Push Ups are a great exercise for kids

Keep in mind, many kids will need to start off with a modified (easier) version of the Push Up like knees on the floor instead of toes. That's OK. The more they do this body weight exercise, the quicker they will progress to the Regular Push-Up as they get stronger.

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