If you were going to be stranded on a deserted tropical island for an entire year and they were only going to let you choose two pieces of equipment to keep in shape, you could hold up your two hands and say, “No thanks. I’m good.”

No, I’m not talking about shadowboxing with parrots.

With those two simple hands you could do pushups, man! Pushups. The military seems to be the only segment of society that still recognizes exactly how powerful a training tool this one simple exercise can be.

Pushups are great for your chest, triceps, abs, shoulders, and torso. Best of all, you don’t need any fancy equipment. You have an entire upper body training routine available to you using only pushups. A dedicated person could make more health and physical fitness progress with pushups that the majority of fair weather fitness freaks do spending hundreds on gym memberships.

Not suggesting you run out and cancel your gym contract. Just don’t dismiss pushups as an antiquated tool. Here’s an interesting website that’s all about teaching you how to progress until you can do 100 pushups as its total training and strengthening program.

Most people are probably familiar with the standard pushup, feet on the floor, hands just outside your shoulders, but there are many variations that target different areas of the body. Here’s an interesting article describing wide-stance, diamond, and elevated pushups as well. For example, raise your feet by placing them on a bench or chair and not only increase the weight being lifted but shift the target area to the upper pecs.

Hey, tired of having sand kicked in your face on the beach? Whyn’t you try some pushups?

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