Pushups are an efficient, full-body exercise — but don't make this 7 mistakes

Arching the Back: Keep your back straight and avoid arching it, which can strain your lower back and reduce the effectiveness of the exercise.

[{"selector":"#anim-d1674dfb-a7bb-496f-a554-0080ffa4367b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc4e9c93-fca0-4545-8cd9-6d152c54a0a5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04821%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Drooping Hips: Maintain a straight line from your shoulders to your heels by engaging your core muscles. Avoid letting your hips sag towards the ground.

[{"selector":"#anim-1eddcf14-c069-4c70-8bfc-fd47fbbc6b94","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-40709143-bf6f-43cb-9ff1-c1c9bc6ee54e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04821%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Flaring Elbows: Keep your elbows close to your body rather than letting them flare out to the sides. This helps to engage the chest muscles more effectively.

[{"selector":"#anim-25489298-4eb7-4e78-8d1f-6809d3f3f7bc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bccfe91a-f361-45ac-8fe5-b7919f616be8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04821%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Poor Hand Placement: Position your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and directly under your shoulders to ensure proper alignment and stability.

[{"selector":"#anim-936b7d83-a61d-4a63-9811-b34bbf0a11ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b6e540d3-ba0b-47f0-a7ac-9c74b81ce81d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04821%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Incomplete Range of Motion: Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the ground, and then push back up until your arms are fully extended.

[{"selector":"#anim-dc1b2672-b1f7-478f-b45d-1872a20f4e34","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a79dc74-3c77-4c9b-81d1-9fafb4759458","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04821%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Rapid Repetitions: Focus on performing each pushup with control and proper form, rather than rushing through them. Quality over quantity is key.

[{"selector":"#anim-69c32b17-439f-4b83-9077-4b9d4cbf270d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-523f78fb-8673-4a94-bd26-a8b741438490","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04821%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Neglecting Breathing: Remember to breathe steadily throughout the exercise. Inhale as you lower your body and exhale as you push back up.

[{"selector":"#anim-f0001aa1-96bc-44dc-8cc9-bb850d738ecc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6bec1768-eb79-44f7-a875-c70445e3cc97","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -100.04821%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]