Push-ups are one of the most foundational exercises in any person’s workout. They are an exercise that is utilized to build the upper body muscles. Push-ups work more muscle groups in the upper body. It works everything from your pecs to the biceps.
But, like with any other exercise, it is always best to start with a few stretches. Due to the fact that this exercise works the upper body muscles, it is key to do stretches that warm those muscles up.
That means things like a good cross-body shoulder stretch or light back exercises. Being warmed up helps prevent tears and strains, and so we want to ensure you do just that. So we are going to look at what stretches to do before your push-ups.
Should You Stretch Your Arms Only?
The biggest asset to doing some stretches before a workout is to warm your muscles up to prevent potential damage. Looking at push-ups and trying to find the right stretches may make you think you need to concentrate solely on your arms.
But push-ups don’t only work out the muscles of your arms. In fact, this exercise works out your entire upper body. That means in order to ensure the right muscles are warmed up, you need to find exercises that stretch the pecs, shoulders, arms, and back.
How Long Before Doing Push Ups Do You Need to Stretch?
It is vital to ensure you get the most out of your exercises and that you do some stretches. But is the time frame of doing them important? The warmer your muscles are when you do, the less likely there are to be injuries.
So most experts say that you should do your warm-ups directly before you start your workout routines. Typically that will mean that you are about 15 – 20 minutes before the workout itself.
Do You Need to Stretch After Push-Ups as Well?
Stretching before is important, but so too is stretching after the exercise. Doing this will ensure that you are ready for the next workout. It is a good way to keep your muscles loose, and that will inevitably mean better results the next time around.
Here are some steps that you should do in your post-push-up stretching session:
- You should start with your upper arms and back. This can be done by doing some shoulder stretches.
- Next, you will want to stretch out your wrists.
- Then the next muscle group you should stretch out is your shoulders.
What Are the Most Important Stretches Before Push-Ups?
It is important to do stretches but doing the wrong ones will have little to no effect on warming you up for any exercise. That means that there are important stretches that you should look at incorporating into your warm-up routine.
Here are some of the stretches we suggest making art of your warm-up for push-ups:
- Neck stretch
- Overhead shoulder stretch
- Cross-body shoulder stretch
- Biceps stretch
- Chest Stretch
- Wrist Extension Stretch
Are There Any Stretches You Should Avoid Before Push-Ups?
Stretches are good no matter what. That means anything that is going to loosen up your muscles and prevent potential injuries is advisable. So no, there are not any stretches that are bad before push-ups.
However, not doing stretches that have anything to do with the muscle groups that push-ups work on is not suggested. That means when you are working out your warm-up routine, you need to make sure that it includes stretches having to do with the arms and upper body.
In other words, creating a routine that has stretches solely to do with the legs will not have any impact on the performance of your push-ups. So make sure to include some of the stretches we have mentioned in this article.
Final Thoughts on What Stretches To Do Before Push-Ups
Push-ups are a traditional exercise that everyone looks at to build upper body strength. That is why so many people include them in their workout routines.
But in order to protect yourself from injury and to get the most out of them, you need to do some stretches. We have given you a handful of them that we think are the best. We hope that it helps!