5 Advanced Push-up Alternatives

Hopefully you’ve been practicing your push-ups! But if you’re getting tired of just cranking out regular, old push-ups, I’ve got some great news for you…

Today, I’ve got 5 Advanced Push-up Alternatives for you to try when you’re ready to up your game!

Proper form still holds true in all push-ups of course, so a quick review: Brace abs, long spine, eyes  toward the floor to lengthen through the neck, shoulders rolled down and back.

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But now for the fun…

1. Fingertip Push-ups: Our high school basketball coach insisted we did push-ups on our fingertips to help us strengthen our hands. So, instead of flat palms on the floor, simply come up to fingertips only and bust out your reps from there. (And, I hope you don’t mind, my gig is “Everyday” Faith and Fitness — which sometimes includes small children crawling their way into videos!)

2. Shoulder Tap Push-ups: One of the new moves introduced to me by Shaun T after I began working as a coach with Beachbody. Alternate tapping the opposite shoulder with your hand in between reps. The balance challenge of taking one hand off the floor works the core even more!

3. Alligator (or Spiderman) Push-ups: Bring your knee towards your elbow as you do the move to really work the obliques. Another option for this is to put paper plates under your feet and slide the knee up to the elbow. (They do sell “fitness sliders” but paper plates work just as well – and are much cheaper!)

4. Decline Push-ups on a Ball: If you have a stability ball, put your feet on the ball and try decline push-ups. Your body should be at a slight decline, which will work just a little different angle of your chest muscles.
5. BOSU Push-ups: Finally, if you have a BOSU, these can be the most challenging in my opinion. The core has to work especially hard to keep your body balanced as you do a push-up on a wobbling surface.
So if you’re ready for a something more, give these alternatives a try! And then be sure to comment below and let us know which one was your favorite!