Gym fees can be very expensive especially if you do not use it. Many people sign up to a gym with very good intentions. This usually happens at the start of the New Year when everyone is making their New Year resolutions. However, after a month or two most people begin to slide and stop going. However, they still keep paying their membership fees under the pretense that they will go back again when they have time.
Well, there is another way and it will not cost you a dime. So cancel that membership, and listen up. You do not have to waste your time and money in a gym when you can do it in the comfort of your own home. Also, you do not have to spend any money on any fancy gym equipment as most of that is a waste of money anyway. All you require for these exercises is a little free time and gravity.
Try the following exercises to help build your upper body strength:
The Press-up
The press-up is one of the most effective exercises for building your upper body strength. No wonder the military love them. However, to get the most benefit out of them you have to do them correctly. Start by placing your arms shoulder width apart, your fingers forward facing and keep your back straight. Focus your eyes straight ahead and not looking down.
Begin the press up by gradually lowering your body to the ground. Ensure your elbows are not moving away from your body but backwards in the direction of your feet. Lower your body until your chest is and mid-section are about one inch from the surface of the floor. Then gradually move up keeping your back straightened. When your arms are straightened you will have completed one press up or a rep. If you are not use to press ups you will find them quite hard in the beginning. However, persist with them and you will begin to notice a difference in your upper body strength. When starting out focus on getting the technique right rather than how many you can cram into one minute. The numbers will come the more you practice.
The Incline Press-Up
Very similar to the traditional press-up however, the only difference being that you are pressing up and down on a raised surface. Ideally use a bench that is about 1 foot in height. Adopt the traditional press up position as outlined above and place your hands onto the bench. Gradually lower your body towards the bench keeping your body very straight in a line. You will find that the higher the bench the easier it becomes. If you are doing press ups for the first time you may want to consider doing the inclines first before doing the traditional press-ups