Tutorial: Getting Started with Explosive Push Ups

If you really want to take your push ups to the next level, it’s time to start working on your explosive push ups.

When you first start with explosive push ups, it’s important to make sure you know how to do a proper regular push up. Start with your shoulders directly above your hands, tighten your core, and tuck your hips. Lower down so that your chest touches or almost touches the floor then push back up.

Here’s how to get started with explosive push ups:

Push Up Hops

Now we’re going to look at how to add in some explosiveness to your push ups. The first step is to practice your push up hops. This helps get your arms and legs used to working together while helping you to build up strength.

• No need to go all the way to the floor
• Keep your core tight
• Try to jump with both your hands and feet at the same time

Clapping Push Ups

The next cool thing you can try to add some explosiveness to your push ups is to add a little clap at the top of your push up.

• Use either a wide or narrow push up stance
• Lower down partway then push up explosively and clap at the top of the push up
• You can also try jumping your feet up as you clap for a slightly different variation

Remember, you can always start by trying these on an elevated surface like a bench or even a countertop. Building up the confidence that you can in fact push yourself up off of the floor without falling on your face is half the battle.

Superman Push Ups and Beyond

Once you start getting more comfortable with your push up hops and clapping push ups, there are so many ways to add variety. Think clap behind the back push ups, 360° push ups, superman push ups, and more.

Build up your strength and explosiveness with push up hops and clapping push ups first, then get creative and have fun with it!