strength

Question
i am a 13 year old girl who just made the 14 year old jr.olympic team (national) team! My dad and coach are asking me to do push ups every day for upper body strength. Do you have any other recommendation for upper body strength?

Answer
Rachael,

Push ups are probably the best exercise to do without weights.  You can modify them though.....do push ups against a chair or bench, they will be easier and will help you until you can do the on the floor.  Get into the pushup position and just bend your arms as far as you can so you can still push back up to the starting position.

For shoulders you can do front and lateral raises.  If you don't have weights, fill up 2 one quart bottles with water and use them.  Keep your arms straight and bring them up in front of you, then return to the starting position, for the lateral raises your arms are at your sides and you bring them straight up so that to look like a "T".  Military presses will also be a great help.

Good luck,
Steve