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How Fast Should I Do My Push Ups For Maximum Upper Body Strength?
Want a bigger chest? Drop to the floor—fast.

by Men's Health

July 18, 2018

push up

Researchers discovered that performing push ups as quickly as you can is one of the best ways to build explosive upper body strength, according to The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Related: Use This Workout Plan To Master The Superman Push-Up In Under A Month

This push up method was more effective than doing plyometric pushups (think: clapping between each push up), and fall push ups, where you drop from a kneeling position and try to push your way back up to the starting position.

So why does this move trump other push up techniques? Take a look at a vertical jump: “If you do a quick knee bend before jumping, you’ll always jump higher than if you don’t,” explains Dr. N. Travis Triplett, one of the study’s researchers.

The same type of action occurs when you do push ups as fast as possible. Dropping your chest down toward the ground and then pausing for only a moment will enhance the motion of pushing yourself back up—and ultimately help you build more explosive strength, says Triplett.

There’s no reason not to include push ups in your workout routine. “You can train your core, pecs, front deltoids, and triceps at the same time,” says Bill Hartman, physical therapist. “Plus, they’re great for shoulder health.”

Related: Take This 3 Minute Push-Up Test To Find Out How Fit You Really Are

You won’t be able to maximise your strength if you don’t perform the pushup correctly, though. Here’s the right way to perform the move:

  • Get down on all fours and place your hands on the floor so that they’re slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Straighten your legs with your weight on your toes. Your body should form a straight line from you head to your ankles.
  • Brace your abs and keep them contracted throughout the entire exercise. This keeps your body rigid and doubles as core training.
  • Next, lower your body until you chest nearly touches the floor, then push yourself back up to the starting position as quickly as possible. Don’t let your hips sag at any point during the movement.

Related: This Upper Body Push Workout Will Pack Mass Onto Your Chest, Shoulders & Tri’s

To put up a great front, Hartman suggests doing 3 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions at maximum speed, resting 3 to 5 minutes between sets. Increase the number of sets and reps over time. Do this one to two times a week.