Why do plyo push-ups? They make your upper body more powerful.<\/p>\n
No, not powerful in the Marvel superhero sense. In fitness circles, \u201cpower\u201d has a specific meaning: it\u2019s how quickly you can apply force.<\/p>\n
The faster you can push or pull something \u2014 including yourself \u2014 the more power you have.<\/p>\n
Need to chase down a departing bus, fire a bowling ball down the lane, scamper up to the third floor, or drive to the hoop past a 220-pound opponent? You need power.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0plyometric drills with which most people are familiar include jumping, hopping, and bounding. But plyo moves aren\u2019t restricted to the legs, says Trevor Thieme, C.S.C.S.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want to be more powerful and athletic,\u201d he says, \u201cyou need to be explosive all over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Enter: the plyo push-up.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve seen this creature before: it\u2019s the variation of the\u00a0push-up\u00a0in which you push yourself up from the low position fast enough for your hands to leave the floor.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re good, you can slap your chest or clap your hands between reps. If you\u2019re really, really gutsy, you can clap them behind your back. (Keep your dentist on speed dial for that one.)<\/p>\n