Three athletes are shown – one at a time – performing the push-up on a padded gym mat. The intro screen appears with text that says “Inside the Exercise: Push Up.” The video cuts to SGT Ryan McDonald speaking while SGT Courtney Zablocki gets into position to demonstrate the exercise.
Ryan: Another event in our APFT is the push-up. This is a general exercise that most of you have probably seen. The beginning position is hands shoulder-width apart and the toes touching the mat…the start position with the elbows all the way out and one repetition…arms at 90-degrees and then back up.
Courtney: You can also have a close grip push-up or a wide grip push-up. Your feet can also be touching or 12 inches apart. You don’t want your hands to come off of the mat when you’re doing a push-up, because that will not be counted…
His form is perfect with his back that is straight and when he comes down, his arms are at a 90-degree angle and he comes all the way up to make sure his elbows are straight and that is a proper form push-up.
As Courtney’s description ends, the video cuts to SPC Tim Bailey, who is seen performing a number of push-up exercises. After 3 repetitions of the exercise are completed, the camera again focuses on Ryan, kneeling at the side of the gym mat, and Courtney performing a push-up. Courtney demonstrates as Ryan speaks.
Ryan: There are also two resting positions that are acceptable in the APFT for the push up, the arch and the sag…It’s important the only thing that touches the ground are your hands and your feet. If any other part, your knees or your belly touch, the exercise is discontinued and you fail. One thing to think about is to keep your head up. It’ll help you look at a horizon. You can dip your head, but it sometimes makes the exercise more difficult.
Tim is shown performing additional push-up exercises, as Ryan continues to speak.
Ryan: It’s important to always focus on form and keep the momentum going.
The video concludes with a screen that says “Inside the Exercise: Push Up.”