Pushups are effective exercises to develop upper body strength. The exercise requires little space and can be done nearly anywhere. Unless you're using an additional training implement, such as the Perfect Pushup, you don't need any equipment to perform pushups. The Perfect Pushup features handles that rotate as you complete the up and down movement. The units may be beneficial to some, but the exercise is still effective at developing strength and muscular size on its own.
Muscle Recruitment
Pushups are completed by contraction of your chest, shoulder and tricep muscles. The Perfect Pushup manufacturers claim that their units increase the amount of muscle activity in those three muscle groups. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, were asked by the American Council on Exercise in 2009 to research the effectiveness of pushups when using Perfect Pushups and when completing the movement without any additional implements. They found no muscle activation differences when hands are placed in a narrow position, but did find more activity in the chest, shoulders and triceps when completing pushups with regular and wide hand placement. This increase in muscle activity is likely due to the increased range of motion that completing pushups with the Perfect Pushup allows.
Wrist Joint
The Perfect Pushup changes the position of your wrist joint when completing pushups. Instead of your wrist being extended because your palms are flat on the floor, with Perfect Pushup, your wrist remains in a neutral position. This significantly reduces the amount of stress on your wrist joint. Those who suffer from wrist pain when completing pushups may still be able to complete pushups without discomfort using the Perfect Pushup units.
Shoulder Joint
Completing pushups with the Perfect Pushups allows you to lower your chest down further toward the floor. This increases the intensity of the movement and also increases the amount of chest muscle recruited, but it also increases the amount of stress of the front capsule of your shoulder joint. According to Todd Galati of the American Council on Exercise, who looked at the safety of using the units, the Perfect Pushup is likely to be suitable for those who have normal shoulder stabilization but may cause discomfort and injury in those with shoulder instability.
Additional Considerations
As of May 2011, the Perfect Pushup units cost $39.95, while completing pushups on the floor costs nothing. However, it's important to note that the Perfect Pushup units are light and thus are easy for transporting.
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