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Ask a health and fitness-related question and receive answers from fitness experts and professionals
Home » IDEA Answers » teaching recommendations for push up arm position?
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Question asked by Sue Fine 1650 days ago

teaching recommendations for push up arm position?

FitnessYogaPush-ups

A yoga instructor asked my why yogis teach elbows in (along the side of the body) and fitness people teach hands wider and asked which way elbows "should" point and why...

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Answered by Harris Sophocleous 1650 days ago
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2722 Questions Answered, 7 Questions Asked
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Hi Sue,

There is really no one position that makes push up a unique movement. There are at least 120 different ways you can do a push up (www.pushupwarrior.com). So, to make it simple all you need to keep in mind is that the closer the hands are to the body, the more your triceps are engaged...the further away from the body, your pecks do most of the work.

It all comes down to the client and his/her limitations.

Best,
Harris
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Answered by NatalieSmith NAPS 2 B Fit 1650 days ago
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2471 Questions Answered, 13 Questions Asked
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Hello Sue Fine,

For the yoga cobra pose the hands are used more as a guide. For the strength push up move, the arms and hands are positioned to strengthen the working muscle group.
As Harris Sophocleous explains, body positions are limitless and are decided by the client's goals and abilities.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Take care,
Natalie
NAPS 2 B Fit
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Answered by Susan Dalonzo 1642 days ago
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There is no right or wrong
Each time you move hand position, a different muscle is activated

Variety is good: do it often
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Answered by Nadine Johnson 1609 days ago
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Chaturanga is called a push up as short cut to help students understand but it's different.

Ideally the hands are flat and the wrists are below the elbows, that's why the elbows are in close to the body. Key muscles in the upper back and chest are used to flow through the position as you glide off the feet lifting up and opening across the chest to upward dog.

I agree there's no right or wrong but there is safe and unsafe. Flowing through chaturanga mindlessly can damage the shoulders over time. While doing push ups in training, there's typically more focus on alignment.
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