Suspended Versus Traditional Push Ups

When you do push-ups using a pair of suspended grips, you’re adding an element of instability to the exercise. What does that do for your workout? Consider the findings of a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Scientists tested 19 male and female subjects before and after an 8-week program of traditional push-ups on the floor or suspended push-ups. All participants trained with a gradual progression in push up height as well as the number of sets performed.

Maximum voluntary muscle contractions were 9.2% greater with suspended push-ups compared to the traditional approach, and after the training program those in the suspended group were able to perform 33.8% more reps to failure compared to subjects in the traditional push-up group.