You can try many pushups besides the standard, gym class type. A familiar compound bodyweight exercise, the pushup develops your chest, shoulder, arms and other muscles. Because it affects your whole body, "The New York Times" calls the pushup "the ultimate barometer of fitness." Changing you hand, arm or leg position leads to a different pushup experience.
Alternate Grips
One of the easiest ways to alter a pushup is to change grips. Wide grip pushups, for example, hit your outer pecs. Move your arms more than shoulder-distance apart. You should feel the burn in your outer chest the wider you spread your arms. Diamond pushups, however, require a narrow grip and build your triceps. To form the diamond, let your index fingers and thumbs touch. Plant hands below your sternum. Perform a pushup.
Functional
To build your core, perform pushups with medicine or Swiss balls. These functional tools make the routine less stable. You depend on your chest, back and core -- not the floor -- for stability. For example, push off two medicine balls instead of the ground; or push off one medicine ball with both hands. You can also place your legs on a Swiss ball, arms perpendicular to the ground, and do a pushup.
Rotational
The rotational pushup also builds the core. As you rise from the standard pushup, turn and reach one hand skyward. Look up toward the extended, overhead arm. Balance with the arm on the floor. Your body forms a sideways T. One arm forms a 90-degree angle to the floor, the other forms the same angle to the sky. Lower down, rise up and repeat with the other arm.
Decline and Incline
A decline pushup works arms and shoulders. Balance your feet on a bench or chair. Form a straight, diagonal line toward the ground. Keep your back and legs straight. Extend the arms. Move the chest toward the floor. Push up. If you're less fit, try an incline pushup. You push off an evaluated surface like a workout bar or counter. Place hands shoulder-width apart. Lean forward toward the inclined surface. Push off it.
Others
For a staggered pushup, which works your whole torso, place one arm in a standard position; place the other near your abs. After a set, switch arm positions. For a plyometric pushup, push off the ground so strongly that your hands leave the floor. You can clap hands during this move. Either technique demands great upper body strength and generating sufficient momentum.
Considerations
Modify pushups as needed. Try pushup grips -- dumbbells work -- if you have wrist problems. These reduce strain. Pushups are convenient, effective exercises, but they're not for everyone. Talk to your doctor or physical trainer to be sure you can do them.
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