Last week the New York Times featured an article entitled, An Enduring Measure of Fitness: The Simple Push-Up. In the article, the push-up is called "the ultimate barometer of fitness", and the author goes on to point out that "[i]t tests the whole body, engaging muscle groups in the arms, chest, abdomen, hips and legs."

The Pilates method does a very interesting version of the push-up. The push-up arm positioning is unique, helping you get even more tricep (back of the arm) work out of it, and since you start standing and walk your hands into and out of plank position, you get an even more of a stability and coordination challenge. Plus, you get a little break from the push-up part -- something I always appreciate.

Try Pilates push-up

PS: If you take one look at this exercise and say, "not for me", plank and leg pull front are both good ways to work up to the push-up.

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_{photo (c)2007, Marguerite Ogle}