https://www.exercise.com/exercises/push-up

Equipment Needed

  • Exercise Mat

My Performance

Sitewide Performance

  • All
  • Male
  • Female
  • 18 reps
    average reps
  • 210 reps
    best reps
  • 42
    times logged
  • #6
    popularity rank

Average Sitewide Push-Up Reps

  • 18 reps
    average reps
  • 210 reps
    best reps
  • 40
    times logged
  • #6
    popularity rank

Average Male Push-Up Reps

  • 10 reps
    average reps
  • 10 reps
    best reps
  • 1
    times logged
  • #5
    popularity rank

Average Female Push-Up Reps

How to do Push-Up:

Muscles Worked

Details

push-up is a exercise that primarily targets the chest and to a lesser degree also targets the shoulders, triceps and abs ...more

push-up is a exercise that primarily targets the chest and to a lesser degree also targets the shoulders, triceps and abs.

The only push-up equipment that you really need is the following: exercise mat. There are however many different push-up variations that you can try out that may require different types of push-up equipment or may even require no equipment at all.

Learning proper push-up form is easy with the step by step push-up instructions, push-up tips, and the instructional push-up technique video on this page. push-up is a exercise for those with a beginner level of physical fitness and exercise experience. Watch the push-up video, learn how to do the push-up, and then be sure and browse through the push-up workouts on our workout plans page!

Tips

  1. When first beginning, try kneeling and keeping your legs bent as you push up from the floor and down again.
  2. Be sure to inhale on the way down and forcefully exhale as you come up from the push-up.
  3. Don't allow your elbows to point outward as this puts more pressure on your shoulders, rather than you chest.
  4. Keep your movements slow to intensify the exercise.

Variations

  1. Vary the intensity of the pushup by elevating your feet.
  2. Clap inbetween pushups as you advance.
  3. Begin with a modified version of the pushup and stay on your knees with your legs bent.
  4. If you are unable to do floor exercises, you can perform this exercise by placing your hands on a wall shoulder width apart and then bringing your upper body toward the wall and away.

Types

  • Force Type: Push
  • Mechanics Type: Compound

23 Reviews

  • vastine mack
    over 12 years ago
    #

  • Marcus
    over 12 years ago
    #

    Simply explained and simple sounding to complete.

  • AaronV
    about 12 years ago
    #

    Can't argue with this one. Pushups are a staple of any chest workout.

  • bgodonus
    about 12 years ago
    #

    Great simple no weight work out with numerous variations available to target specific muscle groups

  • JoelJonathan
    about 12 years ago
    #

    Can't go wrong with push-ups. It's amazing how toasted you can get your chest, shoulders, triceps, and even back to certain degree no matter how strong you are. Push-ups, when done with strict form, are actually a very underrated core exercise too. Mix up your grip (check out some of the other 50+ different push-up exercises on the site as well to add some variety and target different muscle groups).

  • jimiwikman
    over 10 years ago
    #

    One of the best excercises for upperbody and core. Still have problems with this one due to my wrist and shoulder, but I'll just do it on my knuckles and that will be fine :)

  • Morgan35
    about 10 years ago
    #

    Great exercise. Now for one finger push-ups! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n23jEbQXYtA

  • NAC
    NAC
    almost 10 years ago
    #

    The push-up is a great exercise! There are tons of push-up variations, and the form is pretty simple. Push-ups will give you a good burn in your shoulders, chest, triceps and your core. Of all the push-ups attributes my favorite is the fact that it's a 0 excuse exercise, Meaning; that you don't need any expensive equipment or a gym membership to do them. if you don't workout regularly push-ups are a great place to start. Just commit to doing as many push-ups as you can every night before bed for say 30 days and you'll see strength improvements with a small amount of time invested. So drop down and give me 20!

  • MC24
    over 9 years ago
    #

    If I had to only pick a few exericses to do for the rest of my life, the push-up would definitely be in the top 3! The body movement is so practical and, when done with strict form, engages so many muscles. I defitenly recommend adding push-ups to any workout regime. Ladies, if you can't do them yet, work up to it! Try doing them on your knees and if you can't do that, then try doing them at just a slight angle on a wall. It's worth it!

  • xMac
    almost 8 years ago
    #

    Push ups are great. However, I seem to have a problem with my chest. I have fat/excess water in my chest which gives out the look of "man boobs" I was wondering if anyone knows any other exercise that can help out with burning fat in the chest in specific.

  • PeteSp
    about 6 years ago
    #

    Great exercise that works almost all of your muscle groups. I recommend 3 sets of 20 reps, and doing it at least 3 days a week. If you take my advice you will definitely see results within a month.

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    almost 5 years ago
    #

    1

  • Pops77
    over 4 years ago
    #

    Can’t wait to get started

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

  • Wapow
    Wapow [deactivated]
    over 3 years ago
    #

    1

Equipment Needed

  • Exercise Mat

Tips

  1. When first beginning, try kneeling and keeping your legs bent as you push up from the floor and down again.
  2. Be sure to inhale on the way down and forcefully exhale as you come up from the push-up.
  3. Don't allow your elbows to point outward as this puts more pressure on your shoulders, rather than you chest.
  4. Keep your movements slow to intensify the exercise.

Variations

  1. Vary the intensity of the pushup by elevating your feet.
  2. Clap inbetween pushups as you advance.
  3. Begin with a modified version of the pushup and stay on your knees with your legs bent.
  4. If you are unable to do floor exercises, you can perform this exercise by placing your hands on a wall shoulder width apart and then bringing your upper body toward the wall and away.

Types

  • Force Type: Push
  • Mechanics Type: Compound