{"id":565614,"date":"2026-08-11T10:40:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T10:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/565614\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T10:40:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T10:40:18","slug":"the-huge-difference-is-to-use-your-core-power-instead-of-just-arm-strength-a-personal-trainer-shares-how-she-finally-conquered-this-classic-bodyweight-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/565614\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThe huge difference is to use your core power instead of just arm strength\u201d\u2014a personal trainer shares how she finally conquered this classic bodyweight exercise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tatiana Schloessman is a certified Pilates instructor and the founder of \u00c9lan Pilates Studios<\/a> in Westlake Village.<\/p>\n

She’s been training for more than 30 years\u2014but it took a long time for her to perfect her push-ups.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt’s hard for both men and women, and especially difficult for those who haven’t had as much exposure to upper-body strength training,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Latest Videos FromFit&Well<\/p>\n

She explained that she could do a few push-ups in a row when she first started working out, but always wanted to get past 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m now at about 50 push-ups and I was able to get more than double by realizing a push-up isn’t an arm exercise; it’s a full-body and mind exercise,\u201d says Schloessman.<\/p>\n

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She tells Fit&Well that the change occurred when she learned to use core strength rather than relying solely on arm strength.<\/p>\n

\u201cI envision the [core] muscles engaging, bracing my abs and focusing on not letting my lower back collapse,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox.<\/p>\n

Here she breaks down exactly how she conquered the move.<\/p>\n

Form cues for a traditional push-up<\/p>\n

Every time she does a push-up, Schloessman gets into a high plank position and mentally follows these form cues:<\/p>\n

Imagine zipping up your abdominal muscles like a corset.Engage your glutes.Focus on actively using your chest, shoulders, triceps and back.Inhale as you lower and exhale to push up.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not ready to attack your first full push-up yet, Schloessman recommends starting with one of the regressions listed below.<\/p>\n

What to read next<\/p>\n

\u201cFocus on good technique,\u201d she advises. \u201cProper technique builds strength; poor technique builds bad habits.\u201d<\/p>\n

She suggests the following two options, which can be done together or as a combination.<\/p>\n

1. Incline push-up <\/p>\n

How To Do An Incline Push Up – YouTube
\n\"How<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis exercise is great because it works the same muscle groups as a traditional push-up,\u201d says Schloessman.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is much more achievable because it reduces the percentage of body weight you’re pushing.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost importantly, you learn proper alignment and you can focus on core engagement, total body focus and breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n

To progress, simply lower the height over time.<\/p>\n

How to do it: <\/p>\n

Stand in front of a wall, counter, box or bench with your hands braced against it a little wider than shoulder-width apart.Step back so that your body forms a straight line from your head to your heels.Inhale, bend your elbows and lower your chest toward your chosen surface, keeping your upper arms tight to your torso.Exhale and press your chest away from your chosen surface until you return to the starting position.2. Knee push-up <\/p>\n

\u201cThis exercise is another great way to make progress, but only when done correctly,\u201d says Schloessman.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust like the incline push-up, it works the same muscle groups as a traditional push-up and reduces the weight while allowing you to complete the exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

She explains that for good form, you must ensure that your elbows stay slightly back and angled at 45\u00b0 away from your body.<\/p>\n

This will keep your hips low to the floor and prevent your back from caving.<\/p>\n

How to do it: <\/p>\n

Start on your hands and knees with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart..Move your knees back so that your torso is in a straight line.Shift your weight forward so you are resting on your upper knee, not directly on top of your kneecap.Inhale, bend your elbows and lower your chest.Exhale and press your chest away.<\/p>\n

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Tatiana Schloessman<\/p>\n

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Tatiana Schloessman is the founder of \u00c9lan Pilates Studios<\/a> in Westlake Village, CA. She has more than 30 years of fitness training under her belt and is a certified Pilates instructor. <\/p>\n