Push Ups!

Alright lets get started. The number one thing I recommend to anyone trying to get in better shape or just starting out is push ups! If you've never really worked out before and don't know where to start or just want to gain some strength this is your easy answer. Push ups are very simple and can be done anywhere without needing equipment, just using your own body weight to gain muscle.

Well what exactly do push ups do?

Push ups work a lot of different muscle groups, most commonly known for chest. But with the correct technique push ups can strengthen your core just as much as sit ups, give you truly stronger shoulders and even give your arms and thighs some extra work.

So how many should I be doing?

Push ups, like a few different exercises, are a max rep activity. You should always be trying to go for your personal best when doing push ups because they use your own body weight to gain muscle. Whether you're just starting to do them and its 5-10 every other day or you've been doing them for a year and are maxing out at 75 a night it's important to always be trying to do more. So when doing them make sure you at least do the same amount you did the last time or else you won't get results or make any progress.

My stats: 65 on workout days

Variety is the spice of life

Besides your standard push up, there are many different styles and positions you can throw into your workout to get more strength or definition in certain muscles.

• The Fly Push Up

This is one of my favorites to do, but trust me trying to push your max reps is tough! The fly works the outer chest and shoulders, they are crucial if you want to shape your chest and get that nice side boob action. How the fly works is you start at a normal push up position, aka Plank, then while going down closer to the floor stretch out or slide your left arm then re-centering it while you push back up returning to Plank. Do the same with the right arm moving in the other direction, this counts as 1 rep. Remember to keep correct technique while doing these and it will also work your core, mainly the side abs.

My stats: 20 on off nights

• Diamond Push Up

The diamond push up is a move difficult move. It's takes a lot more inner chest strength but also requires arms to lift their load. Doing these will give your triceps a boost in size and strength but will mainly help sculpt your chest and give you the separation you're looking for between your pecks. How to do this move is start out in a diamond plank, creating a triangle or "diamond" with your hands, holding this position as you go all the way down to the floor then pushing back up. At first it might feel a little awkward or difficult but continue and work at it and it will pay off more than you may think.

My stats: 15 on off nights