Exercise:

Pushups

Target Muscle:

Chest (Mid/Lower)

None

Lie in a prone position on the floor with your hands slightly wider than shoulder width. Choose a grip width that causes your elbows to form a 90 degree when you lower yourself down and your upper arms are parallel to the floor.

With your neck neutral and your entire body forming a straight line, lower yourself down until your chest touches the floor. Press yourself back up until your arms are locked out, and repeat.

- Rather than flaring your arms out at a 90 degree angle to your body, keep them slightly tucked in towards your sides. This will reduce stress on the shoulder joints.

- In order to maximize tension on the chest, apply a small amount of "inward force" throughout the exercise. What this means is that instead of just pressing your hands straight into the floor, focus on lightly squeezing your hands inward at the same time as well.

- If it feels more comfortable on your shoulder joints, you can stop an inch or two short of the floor rather than lowering yourself all the way down.

- You can make the exercise more challenging by having a partner rest a weight plate on your back or by elevating your feet on a platform.