Push Ups & the Martial Arts Push ups as an exercise have been around for years. From the basic push up with palms under the shoulders to the many hundreds of variations, they are very beneficial to the shoulders and the core musculature. With simple modifications, the push up can be made easy for novice trainees, or very difficult for advanced practitioners. For the health of the shoulders, the main benefit of the push up comes not in strengthening the large pectoralis muscles of the chest or the triceps of the arms, but of the scapular stabilizer muscles, such as the serratus anterior, as weight is transferred through the arms and into the shoulder girdle. The main muscles contributing to a standard push up are the pectoralis major, triceps brachii, rectus abdominus, and internal/external obliques, gluteus maximus.  The pectoralis and triceps act to physically move the body up and down, while the 3 abdominal muscles and the glutes hold the body in a plank position.  The accessory muscles are almost too numerous to count. Push ups are in reality total body exercises.  The muscles of the toes and calfs are working to help keep the hands in place in relationship to the shoulders.  The quadriceps of the thighs contract to keep the knees straight and off the ground.  Gluteus maximus is working synergistically with the abdominals to keep the plank position.  The serratus anterior, rhomboids, trapezius, latissimus dorsi are all working to stabilize the scapula.    Ring Push up: Using gymnastic rings or other suspension complete push ups.  These are great stabilization push ups for the shoulders as they are very unstable.  The abdominals also work very hard with these and the strain will be felt.  Many variations can be done here as well. Rolling Knuckle Push up: Start in the down position, resting on the pinky side of fist and your forearms. Your thumb side of your hands resting directly under your armpits.  As you push up, roll up onto your first 2 knuckles.  When you lower yourself back down, roll on to the  pinky side of your fist in the starting position. This is a really good conditioning push up for your knuckles. About the Author: Craig Snyder graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with degrees in Athletic Training and Physical Therapy.  I worked in Ortonville, MN in a orthopedic/manaual therapy clinic and provided Athletic Training services to the local high school.  Also help to organized and run a sports enhancement program for 4  1/2 years.  In May, 2008 I moved to Northwood, ND where I am continuing with physical therapy and athletic training services.  I have studied the martial arts since 1995 and currently a member of the United Martial Science Federation.