Pushups, called "an enduring measure of fitness" by "The New York Times," are a basic exercise that you can do at home. You don't need anything but a few square feet of floor space for this dynamic workout. Increasingly neglected as part of a well-rounded fitness routine in this day and age, the pushup has a variety of benefits.
A Measure of Fitness
Pushups are often regarded as a measure of fitness, helping to determine the overall quality of a person's fitness. As you pay closer attention to healthy living and personal fitness, you will be able to do more pushups. It engages muscles all over the body, pushing them to their limits without using any equipment.
Slow Down Aging
As you age, your body becomes increasingly weaker. According to "The New York Times," you can lose up to 30 percent of your strength between the ages of 20 and 70 if you don't take preventive steps. Strengthening the muscle you do have can stave off the natural aging of your muscles and offset a decrease in muscle strength. Doing pushups engages muscles in the arms, chest and core. Make pushups a regular part of your workout to ensure that these muscles are always being used.
Upper-Body Strengthening
An obvious benefit of doing pushups is building upper-body strength. Pushups strengthen the pectorals, the shoulders, the back and the arms. Doing variations on the traditional pushup can add variety to your workout, engaging muscles in new and different ways. You will be able to do more pushups as you become stronger, so consider adding resistance by propping your feet up on a stool, doing clap pushups or other variations to keep your muscles guessing.
Building Endurance
Doing many pushups in one workout can be a measure of endurance. The ability to perform great numbers of pushups takes time to develop. As you become stronger, add more pushups into your sets. Late fitness expert Jack LaLanne was well-known for doing 1,000 pushups in 23 minutes, demonstrating both endurance and quickness in a short period of exercise.
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