Quick Pushup Form Question

[vanhalen984]

So I have been training with weights and recently decided to switch over to bodyweight training for a change, and I bought the Naked Warrior by Pavel (great book by the way). Anyway, I have been doing pushups like the man in this picture with the upper arm perpendicular to the body,

but in the book by Pavel, he does pushups with his elbows parallel to his body, like this lady below

After seeing Pavel's form I have tried them that way and they are harder than the way I have been doing them. Is one way better, safer, or more effective than the other, or does it not matter?

 

[min0 lee]

There are more than one ways to skin a cat.

I like to do all the various types of push ups myself.

 

[min0 lee]

I do these at home with the kids....when they are serious.

I like the standard, the diamond, 1 leg....never tried the isometric, I'll check out the others...

http://alwaysbelieve1.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/19-different-types-of-pushups/
Pushup Clinic-
3-5 Rounds with 10 reps each:

1. Standard
2. MB Switch
3. Bosu
4. Clapping
5. One Leg Up Standard(5 with one up and 5 with the other)
6. Diamond
7. Hindu

In between each round perform either 30 situps or 30 leg lifts.

YouTube Video

 

[min0 lee]

I sort of like the alligator push ups.

 

[min0 lee]

I do them like the guy in the picture, the way the lady does it seems to hit my triceps more.

 

[Built]

Yeah, the second one I've known as a "tricep pushup" - basically the pushup version of a close-grip bench press.

 

[Merkaba]

Well of course the closer the arms are to the body the more the triceps are invovled which means youre not using your chest as much to push you up. Thus, harder.

 

[bigsahm21]

I do them right in the middle, so it's a proportionate blend of chest and triceps. I find that to be the most comfortable too.

 

[vanhalen984]

Thanks guys. The tricep ones are definitely harder, but Ill probably just alternate between the two

 

[Ben dur]

ive been told by a trainer that keeping the elbows in tight puts less strain on the shoulders as well...

just my $0.02
and its only hearsay

 

[min0 lee]

ive been told by a trainer that keeping the elbows in tight puts less strain on the shoulders as well...

just my $0.02
and its only hearsay

With just using your own body weight?
What happens when you free weights with twice your body weight?

 

[Ben dur]

my arms explode

 

[min0 lee]

my arms explode

So did my brain.