Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku… my fists were buried into the hard wood floor. They were starting to burn, but I was more worried about my triceps giving out first. We were at rep 86 of 100 push-ups. This was part of the warm up for my JuJitsu class.
Throughout the years, push-ups have remained a staple in my training. Whether it be in gym class, dojo, or working out.

I always like push-ups, but never appreciated them for being the great exercise they are.

Training exclusively outdoors for the past year has changed this. I have to rely heavily on push-ups of all variations as a mainstay for my pushing muscle development.
To get the most out of push ups I had to change my frame of reference for the exercise.

I was leaving too much on the table with sloppy half committed form throughout my training years.

My biggest mistake was thinking push-ups are for beginners. This is simply not true. Push-ups are great at any stage in your development.

Luckily I learned from my mistakes. Below, I have compiled a list of strategies and ideas that I have implemented on how to get the most out of push-ups.

Suspension strap or gymnast ring push-ups are the most effective. The pecs job is to push your arms inward to midline. Suspension trainers allow for a full range of motion and great pec activation. When doing a regular push-up the chest is most active during the bottom (chest low to ground) of the rep.
Close grip (triangle grip with hands a few inches apart) push ups are second best for chest activation.
When using parallel bars, perfect push-ups, or parallettes, go as deep into the movement as possible. The stretch and depth are good for pec activation, a sick pump, and muscle growth.
Park benches, retaining walls, stoops, and car bumpers make great platforms for incline push-ups. Anchor your toes as best as you can and go.
Once you can do 20 strict full range of motion push-ups it is time to make the exercise harder. One way I do this is by adding on isometric pauses. I shoot for a 2 second pause at the top and bottom of the rep range. The pump this creates is insane!
Another way I like to make push-ups harder is by adding resistance. I do so by wrapping a band around my back or by using a weight vest.
Best way to learn how to do push-ups is with feet on the ground and hands on an elevated surface such as a railing. This lowers resistance and allows you to keep strict body posture.
To get better at push ups, do them every day for 60 days.
Explore different varieties of push-ups to switch it up. Some of my favorites are pike, archer, dive bombers, wide, triangle, one handed, plyo, planche, alligator, reverse grip, and elevated foot positions for inclines (videos of a few variations below).
Push up challenge workouts are fast and awesome. Next time you are going out with a buddy the winner of this challenge buys dinner or at least pays the bar tab; 200 push-ups as fast as you can. Fun and tough.

Simple and effective. Push-ups are a great exercise to do outdoors and indoors. They develop your pushing strength and upper body pushing musculature without requiring equipment. Take action and take your push-ups to the next level!