top ten push ups

According to the askmen website this are the top ten push ups variations:

No.10 Weight vest

It sounds simple, but donning a 5-or-10-pound weight vest while you do traditional push-ups will add an immediate challenge and help you build muscle just a little quicker. As this becomes easier, it’s fun to wear a heavier vest and see how much weight you can carry. If you don’t want to spring for a vest, just add any sort of weight to your back or have a workout partner push down on your back as you rise.

No.9 Decline push-up

Putting your feet on something a foot or more in the air will allow you to complete a deeper push-up, which will work your upper body and core even more. As this becomes easier, you can put your feet on higher surfaces, which can be anything from a chair or bench to a cinder block. When you master this, try using a medicine ball for your feet (holding your balance will be an added challenge)

No.8 Dive bomber push-up

Start with your hands shoulder-width apart, your feet spread wide and your bum up in the air. Drop your head between your upper arms. Your body should be shaped like a triangle. Now, start to bend your arms and slowly slide your head toward the ground. Keep your chin an inch or two from the ground, then pull up so that your back is arched. To complete the push-up, reverse what you’ve just done until you’re back in the triangle position. It helps to imagine that you're ducking under a fence.

No.7 Thigh slap push-up

This push-up is a mix between a traditional one and a one-handed push-up. As you come up, slap your left thigh with your left hand. Do it in one fluid motion, and then descend again. Now try it with your right side. The key is to be able to do these quickly and smoothly. As you get more adventurous, you can try jumping your back feet off the ground at the same time.

No.6 Crocodile push-up

Picture a crocodile walking -- it uses its powerful front legs to propel itself. Now, take that same movement and apply it to a push-up. Warm up by doing traditional push-ups with one hand 6-to-10 inches ahead of the other. Once you’re ready, take it a step further: As you come up, throw one hand forward a foot. Descend again, and as you rise, throw the other hand forward. Make sure to drag your feet rather than kick them, and suddenly you’ll be across the room -- completely thanks to your arms. You can also “walk” backward for an extra exercise.

No.5 Diamond or triceps push-up

To work your triceps, place your two hands on the floor in front of you with your index fingers touching and thumbs touching, forming a diamond. From the start position, arms extended and body in the plank position, lower your chest to your hands. You’ll feel a big-time burn in your triceps, and it won’t be long before you’re noticing added muscle.

No.4 Clap push-up

One of the toughest push-ups to master is the age-old clap push-up, in which you clap your hands at the apex of your motion. You’ll want to make sure you’re ready to do this before attempting it, because it’s easy to miss catching yourself and suffer a humiliating face plant.

No.3 One-arm push-up

This one looks easy but is anything but. Tuck one arm up behind your back or let it rest on your backside. Try a few push-ups that way, then try some more with the other arm. You’ll notice they’re much harder when you’re using your off arm, but this is a great way to build muscle. You can spread your legs more than usual for this one.

No.2 Medicine ball push-up

Position three medicine balls around your body. Balance your back feet on one, and place your palms on the other two. Now, try a push-up. You’ll build muscle in your shoulders, back and core, as you struggle to keep your balance. As you get better, you’ll be able to dip lower and lower, and get even more of a workout.

No.1 Superman push-up

Take our advice: Don’t try this until you’ve mastered the rest of the manly push-ups on our list. This push-up might be the toughest one to try, but once you’ve accomplished it, you’ll be in a very select group. Start in the up position, as you would a normal push-up. But after you come down, explode upward and throw your hands out forward, as though you are Superman flying through the air. If you can, pull up your back legs as well, so that your body is completely airborne and parallel with the ground.

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