Exercise Six: Variable Press
A traditional push-up is performed parallel with the ground. This station allows
you to decrease the resistance or amount of weight you’re pressing when you
vary your grip heights. The higher the grip bars, the easier the press will be.
Push-Up
Facing the unit, grip the top bars with your feet behind you and your body
straight (as in a push-up position). Begin by lowering your body towards the
bars by bending at the elbows. Once all the way down, press back up/away
from the bars until the elbows are straight. Repeat.
If you cannot push up, start in the up position and slowly lower yourself
towards the bar. This “negative” muscle contraction will increase strength until
you can push up or perform a positive contraction. Reset and repeat. If you
can do more than 15 repetitions, move your hands to the next lower bar and
so on.
Exercise Seven: Variable Monkey Bars
Most of us played on the monkey bars when we were kids. We know how to
do this exercise, but you might not be able to do it as an adult...not yet,
anyway.
Modified Monkey Swing
Step up on the platform, reach overhead and grasp the first bar. If you’re not
quite ready to swing from bar to bar like a monkey, release one hand and
grasp the bar directly in front of you. Now release the back hand to reach
forward and grab that same bar. Continue forward in this fashion. If you just
make a one bar transition, that’s a great start. Keep trying!
THRIVE Workouts
www.gametime.com/thrive
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