My Favorite Push-Up Variation

There has been a lot of interest and comment on the Transformetrics Forum lately about Push-Ups, and for good reason: the Push-Up in all its variations is one of the most effective body-weight exercises out there, and it is readily available to everyone.

So which variation is my favorite? I must confess that it is the Atlas III, where my feet are at least 10 inches higher than my hands. I find that by descending very low I get a really great upper-body workout that is far beyond any other single variation for me in terms of the pump that I feel as a result.

In addition, my abs, lower back, glutes, thighs, and calves get a great isometric workout from maintaining very strict form. Though I can perform 100 reps of this exercise, I normally perform sets of 50-plus and do about 300 in total of this variation. So for pure enjoyment, this is my favorite variation.

If someone were to ask me which variation I think delivers the most strength and intensity per workout, I’d immediately respond by saying the Warrior Power Ts variations—HANDS DOWN without even the slightest doubt!

But purely for strength, fitness, sculpting, and maintaining maximum flexibility in my shoulders, I really like the Atlas III exactly as I described above, with a very deep stretch.—J.P.