Hindu Pushups

When compared to traditional pushups, Hindu pushups are unique variations on these well-known bodyweight exercises. Indian wrestlers have used Hindu pushups, which are known as dands, for decades. Matt Furey's Combat Conditioning gives a great example of these exercises as part of a comprehensive bodyweight exercise routine. While I find Furey’s products a bit overhyped, as a former wrestling and kung fu champion, he does know a few things about strength and endurance.

Despite Furey’s claim that these exercises build strength, power, speed, and endurance, I find that Hindu pushups are actually best treated as an addition to a bodyweight calisthenics program. These exercises are intended to be done with high reps. If you are looking to maximize your strength gains, you should look more at a low repetition, heavy weight training routine, but Hindu squats and pushups will work your muscles in different and unique ways compared to traditional squat or pushup exercises, while improving your cardiovascular system as well.



A variation on the traditional pushup, Hindu pushups involve a motion that includes arching the back. The arching movement helps to bring the back and hips into the exercise in addition to the involvement of the arms and shoulders. To begin performing your first Hindu pushup you need to get your body into the traditional pushup position. Then, spread your legs wide apart and lift your glutes into the air. During this exercise you will need to extend your arms straight forward in front of your body. Bend your elbows and lower your hips as you push through the position until your arms are in a straight position. Your hips should be very close to the floor and you should be facing forward. Keeping your arms straight, move back into the starting position. Once again, this movement should be relatively fluid.

This style of pushup is very similar to the dive bomber style of pushups, but with a very slight difference. Dive bomber pushups involve bending the arms again on the way back to the starting position. Dive bomber pushups give more of a workout to the arms, however they reduce the benefits that the Hindu pushups give to the back and shoulder regions.



If you want to raise your endurance levels and increase your cardiovascular health, then Hindu pushups can really help; if, on the other hand, you want to tighten your muscles or increase your max lifts, then you probably need to try something else. The first few times you try these variations, you may feel uncertain, and will likely have the sore muscles to go with that, but once you have the pattern down, you can perform each rep much more quickly and enjoy a great cardiovascular workout. Overall, Hindu pushups should improve both your flexibility and stamina. For another great variation on a traditional exercise, try Hindu Squats.