"Ryan Reynolds' trainer recommends an unconventional push-up variation for improving shoulder strength and details the steps to gradually master it"
Don Saladino, a renowned personal trainer who helped Ryan Reynolds prepare for his role as Deadpool, introduced a new variation of the push-up in 2016 - the earthquake push-up. This exercise offers a unique challenge for those seeking to push their fitness limits.
The earthquake push-up is not for the faint-hearted. Unlike the regular push-up, the muscles work harder to maintain stability during this exercise. However, it's not recommended for those who struggle with regular push-ups or have a weak resistance band.
Preparing for the Earthquake Push-up
If you're not ready to tackle the earthquake push-up yet, Don Saladino suggests starting with a standard push-up or an elevated push-up. To perform an elevated push-up, place your hands on a sturdy raised surface like a weight bench or couch. The higher your hands during an elevated push-up, the easier the move will be.
Once you've built up your strength and can perform around 10 clean and safe standard push-ups, you can start trying to work on the earthquake push-up and other variations.
The Earthquake Push-up Technique
To perform an earthquake push-up, loop a thick resistance band around two horizontal, parallel, secure anchor points. The hands rest on a quivering resistance band instead of a firm floor. Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels, and ensure your hands are roughly beneath your shoulders.
Remember, the push-up is a "moving plank", requiring full-body tightness to maintain the correct positions. Push-up variations where one keeps their legs and torso straight by squeezing their glutes and core are a more effective way of practicing for the earthquake push-up.
The Benefits of the Earthquake Push-up
While the earthquake push-up may be challenging, it offers benefits beyond those of a regular push-up. Elevating your hands during a push-up takes some load away from the chest, triceps, and the front of the shoulders, making the exercise slightly less challenging.
As an optional challenge, you can perform the earthquake push-up with your feet on an elevated surface. However, Don Saladino cautions that attempting the earthquake push-up is at your own risk.
In conclusion, the earthquake push-up is a new and exciting addition to your fitness routine, offering a unique challenge for those looking to push their limits. But remember, it's important to start with the basics and gradually work your way up to more advanced exercises to ensure safety and effectiveness.
