Before there were gyms and bodybuilders, there were push ups. Push ups have been called the best upper body exercise since the beginning of time. It is an exercise that can be done by almost anyone and have never required any additional equipment. Recently there has been much debate over whether or not push up bars are better for you than regular push ups. The answer to that depends on your fitness level, goals, health factors and convenience.
Fitness Level
Push ups can be performed by just about anyone. Even those with a lack of upper body strength can perform beginner or modified push ups on their knees. This is the best way for people with a lower fitness level to begin gaining upper body strength. Once those push ups are easier, then you can move on to standard push ups with your toes on the ground and your back in a plank position. For those at a high fitness level, push up bars are a great way to challenge yourself. They are more difficult because your range of motion is greater. With regular push ups your chest lowers to your hand level (on the ground). With the bars, your chest goes beyond hand level creating more stress on your body and making the exercise harder and more advanced.
Fitness Goals
The personal goals you set for yourself can also determine your use of push up bars or not. For some who are trying to lose weight by doing higher repetitions, push ups without the bars may be your best bet. You will certainly be able to perform more reps without the bars than if you used them. For people who are looking for more strength by using less reps and incorporating more upper body muscle fibers, then the bars are an excellent choice.
Health Factors
With push ups being such a great upper body strength exercise, it's a shame that some people don't do them simply because of the level of discomfort in their wrists and hands. For individuals with limited range of motion in the hands and wrists, push up bars may be just what the doctor ordered. The bars put your wrists in a more of a neutral position during the exercise and can make it more comfortable.
Convenience
Common sense will tell you that push ups without bars can be done anywhere at anytime. No equipment is needed to drop on the floor and bang out a few sets. But most push up bars are small enough and portable enough to take with you on that business trip or vacation.
Expert Insight
For total all around fitness and upper body strength you should incorporate push ups with and without bars. It will help break up the monotony and allow you to push through plateaus in your training. Variety also helps to keep things fresh and interesting in your training. Either way, with or without the bars, push ups are a great exercise for people of all fitness levels.
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