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Ode to the Push-up

September 17, 2013 32 Comments

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I can’t even believe I’m doing this…dedicating one entire blog post to one move but because of Jess’s 100Challenge, I’ve been doing them a lot and have actually developed a little soft spot for them.
I’m sure your next question would be “Why?” and to that I answer…I have no idea.  Don’t they always say you don’t really get to chose..if you love…you love.  Well, I love.  I love so much so that I’ve found different ways to do them.  You can make a push up so much more with modifications.
So today’s post is all about ways to do the push up, modify the push up and succeed with the push up.
Push-up Workout

Burn baby burn!

Do:

It’s easy to integrate push ups into any workout routine.  You don’t need any equipment or special training.  But just doing push ups could get boring so you can modify the way you do it as well as how you do them.  Take, for example, the military way…that my buddy Capt. Sean showed me.  It can be daunting trying to reach 100 but doing it like this just seems to go by a little faster
Modify:
Then there’s form and style.  There are SOOO many ways to modify a push up and depending on how you do it, you can engage different muscle groups.  Here are just a few of the fun ways you can “Spice Up” a push up… (BTW, you don’t know how many pictures we had to take to get these. See the outtakes here.  🙂

 

I also have some push-up variations in my stroller inspired workout and Mommy’s Mundane workout

Succeed:
Push ups aren’t complicated but if you’re looking to work them into a workout, here’s the way I’ve been doing them as part of the 100Challenge.  Essentially, every other move is a push-up.
Pushup workout

This workout gives you a total body workout in 3 moves!

If you want to see some of these demonstrated…check out my instagram feed: MomsLRB
Oh and I’ve modified the squats and crunches too just for fun but that would be WAYYYY to much fun in one post so if you’re interested let me know otherwise, we’ll keep our love contained to the push up.  If you want to see more variations, head over to Jess’s blog.  I think I saw some there too.
What’s your favorite move (and don’t say burpee because I HATE those things)?  

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Comments

  1. Debbie @ Live from La Quinta says

    September 17, 2013 at 4:24 am

    I adored your InstGram video! So fun!

    I actually love push ups. One of my favorite all-round strength moves.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:02 am

      Thanks! That little monkey wouldn’t get off so I just did it with him. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Itz Linz says

    September 17, 2013 at 10:50 am

    you shoulda put your video on here! i saw it on facebook last night an was like daaaang momma!!! you’re so strong with the little one on your back!!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:03 am

      Good idea. I’ll add it tonight.

      Reply
  3. MIZ says

    September 17, 2013 at 10:56 am

    Im lunge’y mc pushup mcgee!!!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:03 am

      Ohh! Lunges are fabulous!

      Reply
  4. Coco says

    September 17, 2013 at 11:35 am

    I’ve come to love push-ups too. They make me feel so strong!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:04 am

      Totally agree! I love the feeling I get after being able to do them

      Reply
  5. Maureen says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Nothing makes me feel like more of a bad-ass then when I can do proper push ups! 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:04 am

      AMEN!

      Reply
  6. Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    Got to love push-ups 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:04 am

      Yes you do! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Renee @ Bendifulblog says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    I really like tricep pushups they remind me of yoga and for whatever reason are easier for me than standard pushups!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:05 am

      They are definitely a favorite.

      Reply
  8. Katrina Pilkington says

    September 17, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    Pushups are the BOMB! I love offset ones too!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:05 am

      Offsets are so challenging. Love it!

      Reply
  9. Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says

    September 17, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    I totally agree. They are one of my favorite moves. If you could only do one exercise, this would be one of my top choices… though let’s hope that doesn’t happen to anyone. haha

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:06 am

      ha!

      Reply
  10. Heather @ Better With Veggies says

    September 17, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    So many options!! I don’t know if I have a favorite right now, but I would NEVER say burpees either! 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:06 am

      Thank goodness! Another burpee hater. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Laura Anderson says

    September 17, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    I think KB swings are my favorite. you get some upper and lower body action going on without having to do burppees!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:07 am

      I love the kettlebell. I need to add those in more often!

      Reply
  12. misszippy says

    September 17, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    You know what? I love push ups/hate burpees, so we’d get along just fine! And I think I’ll do this for my strength work on Thursday!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:08 am

      Yeah! Tell me how you like it!

      Reply
  13. Meg @ Meg-in-Training says

    September 17, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    I have been working on Handstand Pushups and one legged squats for Crossfit, We also do hand release pushups, when you get to the floor you have to lift your hands from the floor before going back up. Really makes sure you are doing them correctly and getting the full range of motion!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:08 am

      Handstand pushups. I haven’t tried those in years. I’m in awe of you!

      Reply
  14. Michelle says

    September 17, 2013 at 7:29 pm

    I am so frustrated – I still can’t do push-ups thanks to pregnancy induced carpal tunnel. They are SO AWESOME but my left write does not agree. Boo! So for now I will just live vicariously though you.

    I do love squats and Kettlebell (really dumbbell) swings. Too bad those don’t work the same muscles.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:09 am

      oh no! hang in there! I’ll do a couple extra pushups for you. 😉

      Reply
  15. Axel Kussmann says

    September 18, 2013 at 1:06 am

    I like Scorpion Push-ups and Spider-Man Push-ups (what’s with the arachnid theme?) – although I prefer Spider-Man Crawls to the push-ups. I also invented Roguees as a substitute for Burpees… hopefully I’ll have a post with video done soon!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:09 am

      Roguees?! I can’t wait!

      Reply
  16. Renee @ Bendiful Blog says

    November 14, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    I’m a love HATE with pushups some days it’s all love other days it’s all hate. It’s complicated but leads to great workouts.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      November 17, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      DEFNITELY!

      Reply

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