girls can do push-ups too!

Ladies, push-up position....

and all the girls in my class complain. my fifth and sixth grade track team could do push-ups, but not the college ladies... hmmmm...

I am concerned about doing push-ups on the knees... big difference between girlie push-ups and full push-ups.. but I am ok with it, if we are learning, and pressing forward to bigger goals.

But instead of creating a sense of failure b/c we are struggling with the push-up, why don't we take the push-up out of the equation (temporarily) and strengthen the shoulder girdle.

1. Do a plank in push-up position. (many women and girls cannot hold the body in this position for ten seconds, let alone to be able to do a series of push-ups).

Hold the position until you are trembling, or you shift your body position.

Repeat.

2. Do a plank on your forearms. (The body is closer to the ground; it changes things).

Again, hold until you are trembling or change your body posture.

Repeat.

3. In the plank position on your forearms, work on shoulder flexibility.

Do this by doing a hip hike (creating a mountain) and shifting your weight back toward your heels. Keep your forearms on the ground and let the head follow the body... to keep the neck and spine in-line. Bring your hips back to the start position. This should be repeated several times.

4. In forearm plank position, roll through your shoulders bringing your body closer to the floor and farther away. NOTE: I said, roll through your shoulders, not your hips. Your hips stay level. The movement is in the shoulder blades (scapula retraction, protraction). Do this say 8 to 10 times.

5. In forearm plank position, move your hips around-- circles (both directions) up and down, without making contact with the ground. Do like three or four circles each direction and the same amount of hip hikes... or for a period of time, say 30 seconds.

6. Do some body builders... (also called burpees)...

Starting position is standing, arms at your sides.

Squat down to put your hands on the ground beside you.

Kick your feet behind you to bring you to push-up position.

Do a push-up -- the best that you can.

Feet Open- Feet Closed (like a jumping jack in push-up position)

Tuck your feet back to your squat position.

Jump Up High and Reach for the Sky.

Repeat-- for 30 seconds or a minute.

By practicing these and/or incorporating in your warm-up/workout,

overall body conditioning and flexibility will improve

and you will find you are stronger and can do a push-up.

NO Excuses, Ladies! Let's go!!!!