The Perfect Pushup System

StewSmith.com | December 18, 2006

Everyday, at least one of the emails I receive is from someone (male or female) seeking to improve pushups performance.  Some maybe trying to do 10 pushups and others are attempting to get over 100 pushups in a two minute period to ace their physical fitness test (PFT) requirements.

Over the years, I have developed several methods to increase pushups as well as written articles on ways to implement them into your training plan.  I always use the Shoulder Workout (below) as a pushup supplement to strengthen the stabilizing muscles of the shoulder to help increase your pushup repetitions.  See related articles below:

Pushup Push Workout

Perfect Pushups

Shoulder workout

Each of the articles above discusses advanced methods and training techniques for beginners seeking to add pushups to their program. 

Recently, a former Navy SEAL buddy of mine, Alden Mills has developed a new device that enables either a beginner or advanced pushup performer to increase strength, PFT repetitions, as well as help stabilize the shoulder joint.

Speaking to Alden Mills about the Perfect Pushup he stated that “you are only as strong as your stabilizing muscles”.  In case of the pushup, the muscles that stabilize your shoulder are the rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, subscapularis, infraspinatus, and the teres minor) and of course you will also work your chest, deltoid, and triceps muscles.  Not to mention, your abdominal, upper back, and lower back / hip muscles will be engaged when doing the pushup.  That is why when people with shoulder issues or lower back issues attempt to do pushups their form will suffer which could lead to injury of any of the above muscles or related joints. 

The Perfect Pushup allows you to work the stabilizing muscles of the shoulders and Alden’s program sets you on a path to performing pushups with a new twist.  The Perfect Pushup is basically “pushup bars” BUT they are free spinning and allow your wrist / shoulder to rotate slightly so you can engage all the muscles of the shoulder better. 

  New - The Perfect Pushup Bible eBook!

I find the Perfect Pushup to be nearly THREE TIMES harder than a regular pushup.  I put the Perfect Pushup to a test in a workout called Swim PT, where I rotate about 5 - 10 sets of swimming (or running) mixed with PT / weights exercises: 

swim 200-250m, jump out of the pool and perform

40-50 pushups,

50 abs of choice, and even throw in some

military press – 10-15 reps and

bicep curls 10-15 reps with a set of dumbbells on the pool deck. 

When doing normal pushups in this workout, I usually crank out 40-45 reps before fatigue starts to set in.  When using the Perfect Pushup, I have to drop my reps to 15, sometimes 10 due to fatigue.  The Perfect Pushup is great for people who have been doing pushups for years.  The natural rotation of the arms mimics that of throwing a punch where you twist the arm from the shoulder to the wrist nearly 90 degrees to generate more power for the perfect punch.

For beginners, it is strongly advised to start off on your knees so you can build the easily injured rotator cuff muscles as well as your core muscles carefully over time.  Supplements workouts to help you with shoulder stability and lower back / abdominal strengthening can be found in the StewSmith.com Archive links:

 - Shoulder workout

 – Stomach / Lower back Workout

Good luck with your workouts!  Feel free to email if you have any questions concerning any of my articles, new topics, or downloadable books at stew@stewsmith.com.  Thanks for your emails.

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Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  He specializes in military and law enforcement fitness, particularly Special Operations units.  Please feel free to email him at Stew@stewsmith.com with any comments or questions.