Push-Ups

Primary muscle group
Chest
Equipment
Bodyweight
Movement type
Compound
Where
Home or gym

How to do Push-Ups

Setup

Start in a plank position with hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, directly under your shoulders. Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels, feet together or hip-width apart, and engage your core.

How to do it

  1. Lower your chest toward the ground by bending your elbows at a 45-degree angle from your body.
  2. Keep your core tight and glutes squeezed to maintain a rigid body position throughout.
  3. Descend until your chest nearly touches the floor or your elbows reach 90 degrees.
  4. Press through your palms to extend your arms fully, returning to the starting position.
  5. Breathe in on the way down and exhale forcefully as you push back up.

Watch out for

  • Letting the hips sag or pike up, breaking the straight line from head to heels.
  • Flaring the elbows out to 90 degrees instead of keeping them at 45 degrees.
  • Not lowering deep enough or cutting the range of motion short at the top.

Learn more on ExRx.net →

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