Exercise Library / Push-Up

Push-Up

The push-up presses your body away from the floor.

Strength Training

What this exercise does

The push-up presses your body away from the floor. It builds the chest, shoulders and triceps and the core, and it uses no equipment.

At a glance

Type: Strength Training
Body part: Chest, Arms, Shoulders
Muscles worked: Chest, Triceps, Shoulders
Experience: Intermediate
Equipment: No Equipment
Good for: Bone Health, Everyday Strength

How to do it

Start in a high plank, hands slightly wider than your shoulders.
Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
Lower your chest to the floor, with your elbows at about 45 degrees.
Press back up until your arms are straight.
Do 5 to 10 reps.

Common mistakes

Letting the hips sag or rise.
Flaring elbows out to 90 degrees.
Only moving halfway.

Make it easier or harder

Make it easier

Do the push-up on your knees, on a counter or against a wall.

Make it harder

Slow the lowering to three seconds, or raise your feet on a step.

Keep it safe

If wrists hurt, use push-up handles or fists. Quality reps matter more than the count.

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