Research Corner - Q&A Pushups - Head Alignment by Steve Rhyan | Date Released : 18 Dec 2002 0 comments Print Close Question I am curious about the proper alignment of your head while doing a pushup. Should your head be neutral or is it better to have to have your head up with your eyes facing forward? Answer Head position will influence almost everything. The reasons for the head’s position are numerous. Our head’s contain an equilibrium mechanism. This mechanism is one of the things responsible for keeping us upright. When we do pushups most of us are somewhat horizontal. Equilibrium issues are less of a concern. So, what is the deal with head position and pushups? One question we need to ask is: why are we doing pushups? Because I like them, for a gymnast, body weight workout or to place some stress on my chest and shoulder girdle? May be all the above. If you watch gymnast do a floor routine, most have their head in a neutral position. This allows them to stay focused and take a balance and alignment check at all times. If someone is preparing for some event that requires neck strength or is in the military, then the neck is extended. With extension the face is looking forward. It takes a lot of extra energy to keep those neck muscles firing. Most likely the extra energy expenditure will decrease the number of pushups completed. If the reason for pushups is training for a fitness challenge, then keeping the head in a neutral position is suggested. This allows the neck muscles to relax as much as possible. Without the undue stress a person can better focus on cranking out the pushups. It has been my experience that most people automatically fall into a neutral position when they start to stress while doing pushups. Take note the next time you do a max. Pushup test. If we get back to our question of why am I doing these pushups? Does that lead us to the development of the chest & shoulder area? If so, maybe we need a few angles. That directs us to the exercise library to develop a list of exercises that will spread the work over several working angles. This seems to be the most effective way to build overall development in a particular area. This may also help toward the application of strength in some other areas. Please let us know if there are any other questions. Good luck with your training! Back to top About the author: Steve Rhyan Steve is a member of: National Strength and Conditioning Association American College of Sports Medicine American Society of Exercise Physiologists. <br><br> Steve has been an athlete, coach, teacher and trainer for over 20 years. Steve received his Undergraduate degree in Physical Education/ Biology and Graduate degree in Physiology of Exercise from San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. He has taught from middle school to college and coached high school, college and professional athletes. <br><br> As an athlete, Steve was a professional moto-cross racer for 10 years. He was California State Champion several times, ranked in the top 10 Nationally and in the top 20 Internationally. Steve has also participated in the Decathlon, numerous Triathlons, several Fitness Challenges and won the Police Heptathlon in San Diego, CA. To better understand "Body-Power," Steve studied Kajukenbo(Hawiian Karate) for several years and received a Black Belt. He is pursuing an education in Kodokan Judo to further understand anaerobic conditioning and the application of strength, power and agility. As a coach he specializes in Moto-Cross Racing, Track & Field, Mountain Bike Racing and Surfing. <br><br> Steve is presently a part time lecturer in Exercise Science at Santa Ana College for the Police and Fire Services and is Director of Strength and Conditioning at Specialized Personal Training(SPT) in Mission Viejo, California. At SPT, he specializes in Sports Medicine and Fitness Training for all ages, but especially people over 40 years of age. One of Steve's clients won the female division of the Navy Seal Fitness Challenge, she is 50 years old! Steve has several articles on training for a Fitness Challenge published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning. When he is not writing, studying, teaching or training you can find him, with his family, on the beach surfing. Aloha. <br><br> "I learn by going where I have to go." 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