The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all U.S. adults include at least two days of strength-training exercises into their weekly routine. A common way to reach this goal includes the pushup. Pushups can be difficult for some people because of the position of the hands and wrist as you raise and lower your body. To deal with that problem, Perfect Fitness provides the Perfect Pushup.
History
The Perfect Pushup started as an idea from former Navy SEAL Alden Mills. Mills was looking for a way to help prevent injuries during basic training exercises. The idea became a national exercise equipment hit in 2006 as the Perfect Pushup entered the mainstream market. Since then, the brand has launched several other pieces of equipment, such as the Perfect Pullup and the Perfect Situp. The Perfect Pushup has also undergone changes with the introduction of the Perfect Pushup V2.
How it Works
The Perfect Pushup works by elevating the hands off the ground by grasping onto two handles that are attached to a circular base. As you lower yourself down, the handles rotate on the base, allowing the muscles to rotate as they contract. Perfect Fitness, the company that sells the product, claims that this will maximize your workout while placing less stress on the body. The product works many of the same muscles as a traditional pushup.
Benefits
One of the most obvious benefits of the Perfect Pushup is how it strengthens your upper body, especially the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, triceps brachii and trapezius muscles. Building muscles not only increases your muscle mass but also helps your body more efficiently burn calories, which can help with losing weight. The elevation of the hands off the ground also reduces stress across the wrist joint, according to American Council of Exercise certified physiologist Fabio Comana. The rotation action of the pushup may also help prevent shoulder injuries by promoting the natural movement of the shoulders.
Disadvantages
Research by the ACE has shown that the Perfect Pushup does have its disadvantages. First, the design of the equipment makes it difficult to maintain a neutral wrist position and also increases instability for the shoulder muscles. Although this instability can help increase the overall workout of the device, if you have bad shoulders, the instability may increase the risk for shoulder injury. The Navy SEAL two-minute workout has also been questioned by the ACE, as it may increase risks for injury in some users.
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