Equipment Required: none, just yourself and a nice stretch of beach. For the alternatives, you can find a rock, bench or fence to do the push-up.
Technique
- Start by lying face down on the sand with your hands approximately shoulder width apart.
- Push-up until your arms are straight, keeping you back and legs straight. This is the starting position.
- Lower your body until your chest touches the floor at the bottom, and then return to the starting position.
- Make sure you move in a consistent fluid motion.
Key points to remember
- Warm up before any exercise program. At the beach, a run and some stretches is a good way to start.
- Breathe out on the way down, and breathe in as you come back up.
- If it is sunny, don't forget to cover yourself up with a hat or some sunscreen. If it is hot, be sure to drink lots of water to stay well hydrated.
Alternatives
- To increase difficulty, try elevating your feet by placing the toes of your feet on a stable, elevated surface such as a bench, chair or a step.
- For less difficulty, see the descriptions for the incline beach push-up and the wall press
Related Pages
- See the gym Bench Press Exercise
- Similar beach exercises: incline push-up, wall press
- More fitness at the beach
- A Simple Push-Up Test that can be done at home
- World Records for Push Ups
- Push up fitness tests
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.