Push-Up Variations
Most push-up variations are listed in random order. The problem here is that remembering such lists requires rote memorization.
How might push-up variations be organised? By hand and foot position? By anatomical planes of motion? By number of limbs moving?
The way I have grouped the variations below is by using the basic push-up as a prototype, and it’s distinct phases as categories.
The benefit of organising variations in this way is that: (a) fitness professionals may remember more variations; and (b) they may create new variations under each relevant phase or category.
Basic Push-up
Start from a high plank position.
Bend the arms.
Lower the body in one segment.
Pause.
Extend the arms.
Finish in a high plank position.
Variations
Start.
Hands
Narrow / Wide / Alternating
Parallel / Staggered / Alternating
Single / Both / Alternating
On Palms / Knuckles / Fingers
Fingers pointing Forward / Sides / Back
Legs
Narrow / Wide / Alternating
Parallel / Staggered / Alternating
Single / Both / Alternating
Single Knee Down / Both Knees / No Support
Body
Parallel / Incline / Decline
Handstand / Planche
Bend the arms.
Speed
Slow / Fast
Range of Motion
Full (Negative Push-up) / Partial
Lower the body in one segment.
Sagittal Plane
Pike / Hindu / Dive Bomber
Knee Tuck
Frontal Plane
Left / Right (Typewriter)
Circle Clockwise / Anti-clockwise
Transverse Plane
Knee-to-Elbow (Spiderman)
Knee-to-Opposite-Wrist (Rotating)
Pause.
Timing
Brief Pause / Long Pause
Position
Chest to Floor / Almost to Floor
Extend the arms.
Speed
Slow / Fast
Range of Motion
Full / Partial
Finish.
Plyometric
Sagittal Plane
Hands Clap Single / Multiple
Hands Clap in Front / Behind Back (Muay Thai)
Single Knee Tuck
Under Knee Clap
Hands and Feet Jump (Superman)
Hands to Knees (Knee Tap)
Hands to Feet (Aztec)
Frontal Plane
Hands Narrow / Wide / Alternating
Hands Staggered / Alternating
Feet Narrow / Wide / Alternating
Side-to-Side
Transverse Plane
Clockwise / Anti-Clockwise Spin (Tornado)
Transition to Other Exercises
Arms
Low Plank
Side Plank
Shoulder Tap / Knee Tap
Core
Sit-up
Dorsal Raise
Legs
Plank Jack
Single Leg
Knee Tuck
Rotating Knee Tuck
Mountain Climber
Stationary / Lateral / Frontal (Inchworm)
Squat Thrust
Middle / Sides
Lunge Jump
Stationary / Frontal / Lateral / Rotating
Squat Jump (Burpee)
Stationary / Frontal / Lateral / Rotating