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What are the health benefits of push-ups?

Push-ups are a simple yet effective full body exercise that offers many health benefits:

  • Builds muscle strength: Push-ups primarily target the chest, shoulders (deltoids), triceps, and anterior core. Doing them regularly can strengthen muscles in these areas.

  • Improves cardiovascular health: As an aerobic exercise, push-ups can boost heart and lung capacity and improve blood circulation.

  • Increases core stability: Performing push-ups engages the core muscles to keep the body stable, improving core strength and stability, which aids in posture and balance.

  • Boosts metabolism: Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat at rest, so having more muscle mass can increase your basal metabolic rate, aiding weight management and fat burning.

  • Increases bone density: The impact of weight bearing exercises like push-ups can increase bone mineral density, helping to prevent osteoporosis.

  • Promotes mental health: Exercise releases endorphins, natural mood-boosting chemicals, to help relieve stress and improve mood.

  • Enhances flexibility: The full body stretching in a push-up can also improve muscle flexibility and range of motion.

  • Convenience and variability: Push-ups require no equipment and can be done almost anywhere. Changing hand position or variations works different muscle groups.

Push-ups are a comprehensive exercise that can improve strength, cardiovascular fitness, as well as providing positive impacts on mental health.