strength · bodyweight
Push-Up
The most useful bodyweight upper-body exercise, anywhere.
3–4 × 8–20 8 minrest 60s
Equipment
bodyweight
Rest
60s between sets
Primary muscles
chest, triceps
Also works
shoulders, core
How to do it
- Set hands slightly wider than shoulders, arms straight, body in a straight line from ears to heels.
- Squeeze glutes and brace your core.
- Lower your chest to just above the floor, elbows tracking at ~45° from your ribs.
- Press back up in one line without letting your hips sag or pike.
Form cues
- ✓Long neck, gaze slightly ahead
- ✓Elbows at 45°, not flared to 90°
- ✓Push the floor away hard
Common mistakes
- ✗Sagging hips
- ✗Half reps
- ✗Elbows flaring straight out
Progressions
- Incline push-up → knee push-up → full push-up → deficit push-up → archer push-up
