Try This Explosive Pushup Variation for Your Next Partner Workout
Here’s the thing about pushups: They get old after awhile. One of the easiest ways to blunt the doldrums of this classic bodyweight training exercise? Team up with a friend—and crank the challenge up a notch.
That’s exactly what Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. and Women's Health editor-in-chief Liz Plosser did in our latest paired workout video in our “Liz and Eb” series. Unlike some people, Plosser finds joy in the classic pushup: “I absolutely love pushups, but this was a whole new way because I got some air. We did jumping pushups, and we did it together, which made it even more fun,” she says.
“And these weren't just jumping pushups. These are jumping lateral pushups," Samuel notes. "So you're going up, and you're creating a lot of directional energy that takes a lot of athleticism. The best part for Samuel was watching his training partner nail the difficult move, since “especially, because at the beginning, you didn't think you could do it.”
The motivation of having a training buddy certainly helped Plosser pull it off. “I definitely didn't think I had this in me, but thanks for believing in me. They gave me a lot of power and strength,” she says “It was really fun and I knew you were right on my heels or arms,”she continues, adding that this team work inspired her to keep going.
While Samuel and Plosser did the workout in New York’s Central Park, feel free to do this workout anywhere. Aim for three sets of eight. “You wind up really covered, and it's super fun,” said Samuel.
If you want to keep the pushups going after partner time, check out this 30-day push-up challenge and 10 push-up variations that will boost your workout.
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