Push-up

The push-up (press-up in British English) is a common

calisthenics exercise beginning from the prone position. By
raising and lowering the body using the arms, push-ups
exercise the pectoral muscles, triceps, and anterior deltoids,
with ancillary benefits to the rest of the deltoids, serratus
anterior, coracobrachialis and the midsection as a whole.[1]
Push-ups are a basic exercise used in civilian athletic training
or physical education and commonly in military physical
training. It is also a common form of punishment used in the
Animation of a full push-up (the wide
military, school sport, and some martial arts disciplines for its positioning of the hands increases the
humiliating factor (when one fails to do a specified amount) push-up's use of chest muscles as
and for its lack of equipment. Variations of push-ups, such as opposed to arm muscles)
wide-arm push-ups, diamond push-ups target specific muscle
groups and provide further challenges.

Etymology Side view of a push-up

The American English term push-up was first used between

1905 and 1910,[2] while the British press-up was first
recorded was 1920.[3][4]

Body mass supported during push-ups

0:00
According to the study published in The Journal of Strength
and Conditioning Research, the test subjects supported with
their hands, on average, 69.16% of their body mass in the up Push-up technique
position, and 75.04% in the down position during the
traditional push-ups. In modified push-ups, where knees are
used as the pivot point, subjects supported 53.56% and 61.80% of their body mass in up and down
positions, respectively.[5]

Muscles worked
The primary muscle groups targeted by push-ups include chest, front and medial deltoids, as well as
triceps and forearm muscles. While the push-up primarily targets the muscles of the chest, arms, and
shoulders, support required from other muscles results in a wider range of muscles integrated into the
exercise.[6]
Abdominals
The rectus abdominis and transversus abdominis contract
continually while performing push-ups to hold the body off
the floor and keep the legs and torso aligned. The rectus
abdominis spans the front of the abdomen and is the most
prominent of the abdominal muscles. The transversus
abdominis lies deep within the abdomen, wrapping around the
entire abdominal area. Both muscles compress the abdomen,
and the rectus abdominis also flexes the spine forward, Military recruits will often perform push-
although it does not execute this function when performing ups as part of their physical training.
Here, U.S. Marine recruits at Marine
push-ups.
Corps Recruit Depot San Diego perform
push-ups in May 2005, as a part of their
Deltoid basic recruit training.

The anterior portion of the deltoid muscle is one of the major

shoulder-joint horizontal adductors, moving the upper arms toward the chest during the upward phase of
a push-up. It also helps control the speed of movement during the downward phase. The deltoid attaches
to parts of the clavicle and scapula, just above the shoulder joint on one end, and to the outside of the
humerus bone on the other. Along with horizontal adduction, the anterior deltoid assists with flexion and
internal rotation of the humerus within the shoulder socket.

Chest muscles
The push-up requires the work of many muscle groups, with one of the primary muscle groups being the
chest muscles, the pectoralis major and the minor.[7] These are the two large chest muscles and the main
pushing muscle group of the upper body. When pushing and lowering the body during a push-up, the
pectoralis major is doing most of the work. As a result, these muscles become very strong and can
become defined as lean muscle after doing push-ups regularly.

Stabilizers: back body

The push-up depends on stabilizer muscles as the body is pushed and lowered. The erector spinae is the
main stabilizer muscle in the back. Made up of three muscles including the spinal, longissimus, and
iliocostalis. The spinal runs adjacent to the spine, the longissimus runs adjacent to the spinal and the
iliocostalis runs adjacent to the longissimus and over the ribs. Two muscles called the gluteus medius and
gluteus minimus stabilize the upper leg. The medius and minimus sit under the largest butt muscle, the
gluteus maximus.

Triceps brachii
While the anterior deltoids and pectoralis major muscles work to horizontally adduct the upper arms
during the upward phase of a push-up, the triceps brachii muscles, or triceps for short, are also hard at
work extending the elbow joints so the arms can be fully extended. The triceps also control the speed of
elbow-joint flexion during the downward phase of the exercise. The closer together the hands are placed
during a push-up, the harder the triceps work. The muscle is divided into three heads — the lateral head,
long head, and medial head. The lateral and medial heads attach to the back of the humerus bone, and the
long head attaches just behind the shoulder socket on one end; all three heads combine and attach to the
back of the elbow on the other.[8]

Forearms
Stabilizers include wrist and forearm muscles, the knee extensors, and the hip/spine flexors, which all
work isometrically to maintain a proper plank position in the standard prone push-up.

Biceps
During the push-up exercise, the short head of the biceps brachii muscle acts as a dynamic stabilizer. This
means the muscle activates at both ends—the elbow and the shoulder—to help stabilize the joints.

Joints and tendons

Inner muscles that support the operation of the fingers, wrists, forearms, and elbows are also worked
isometrically. Some push-up modifications that require to have the arms at different heights effectively
engage the rotator cuff.[9]

Variations
In the "full push-up", the back and legs are straight and off the floor. There are several variations besides
the common push-up. These include bringing the thumbs and index fingers of both hands together (a
"diamond push-up") as well as having the elbows pointed towards the knees. These variations are
intended to put greater emphasis on the triceps or shoulders, rather than the chest muscles. When both
hands are unbalanced or on uneven surfaces, this exercise works the body core. Raising the feet or hands
onto elevated surfaces during the exercise emphasizes the upper (minor) or lower (major) pectorals,
respectively. Raising the hands with the aid of push-up bars or a dumbbell allows for a greater range of
motion, providing further stress for the muscles.

Weighted push-ups
Progressively overloading classic push-ups using barbell plates, resistance bands or any form of weight.
The load is usually positioned on the upper back. This very effective exercise is not commonly performed
because of the difficulty of loading the human body in that position. An alternate way to add weight to the
push-up is by placing the hands on high handles bars and then elevating the feet on a high surface to get
into a suspended push-up position. Due to the distance between the pelvis and the floor a dipping belt can
be used to add weights from the pelvis. This method of adding extra weight to the push-up becomes more
efficient.

Knee push-ups
"Modified" or "knee" push-ups are performed by supporting the lower body on the knees instead of the
toes, which reduces the difficulty. These are sometimes used in fitness tests for women, corresponding to
regular push-ups for men.[10] This is useful for warm-ups/downs, pyramids/drop sets, endurance training,
and rehab. It can also be used to train in a more explosive plyometric manner (like clapping push-ups)
when one cannot perform them with the feet. It can also be used with the one-arm variations as a
transition. However, the intense pressure on the knees can be harmful.[11]

Planche push-ups
An extremely difficult variation is to perform a push-up using
only hands, without resting the feet on the floor, i.e., starting
from and returning to the planche position. These are known
as "planche push-ups". To do this variation, the body's center
of gravity must be kept over the hands while performing the
push-up by leaning forward while the legs are elevated in the
air, which requires great strength and a high level of balance.
The entire body weight is lifted in this variation.
Planche position

Tandem push-ups
Tandem push-ups are a variation of traditional push-ups,
performed by two people working together. Each person is
facing a different direction but with one of the athletes lying
faced downwards on top of the other. It is considered a very
challenging variation of the regular push-up because it
requires two people to co-ordinate with perfect balance
placing their feet to each others shoulders and pressing Tandem push-up performed by Guinness
up.[13][14] World Record duo Kotsimpos-Dervas[12]

Tandem knuckle push-ups

Tandem knuckle push-ups are a more challenging variation of push-ups performed by two people
together, using their knuckles instead of their palms. They offer a greater challenge compared to tandem
push-ups.[15]

Hand release push-ups

Hand release push-ups are a much more challenging variation of traditional push-ups, involving lifting
the hands off the floor between each repetition.This way the athlete is forced to do a full and complete
repetition. Lifting the hands off the ground completely resets the movement eliminating the momentum.
This variation builds core and shoulder strength in addition to the benefits of the regular push-up.[16][17]

Push-ups on medicine balls

Push-ups on medicine balls are a variation of push-ups that involve performing the exercise on top of
three medicine balls instead of on the floor. This modification adds an element of instability and core
engagement to the exercise, making it more challenging and effective for building upper body strength
and stability.[18] More difficult variations include push-ups on medicine balls with one leg raised[19] and
decline push-ups on medicine balls.[20]
Knuckle push-ups
Another variation is to perform push-ups on the knuckles of the fist, rather than with palms of the hands
on the floor. This method is also commonly used in martial arts, such as Karate and Tae Kwon Do, and
may be used in boxing training while wearing boxing gloves.

The intent, in addition to building strength and conditioning, is to toughen the knuckles, wrist, and
forearm in the punching position. This variation also reduces the amount of strain in the wrist, compared
to the typical "palms on floor" approach, and so it is sometimes used by those with wrist injuries. Such
practitioners will usually perform their knuckle push-ups on a padded floor or a rolled-up towel, unlike
martial artists, who may do bare-knuckle push-ups on hard floors.

Maltese push-up
The Maltese push-up is a gymnastic variation of the push-up, in which the hands are positioned further
down towards the hips (as opposed to roughly alongside the pectorals), but with a wide distance between
them.

Hindu push-up
The most basic form of Hindu push-up starts from the
downward dog yoga position (hands and feet on the floor
with the posterior raised) and transitions to an upward dog
position (hands and feet on the floor with the torso arched
forwards and the legs close to the floor). It is also known as a
dand, and is still widely known by this title especially in India
where it originated from. It is a common exercise in Indian
physical culture and martial arts, particularly Pehlwani.[21][22] The Hindu push-up, also known as a
The famous martial artist Bruce Lee also used it in his dand. This is the most basic version,
training regime and referred to it as a cat stretch, [23] similar to that used by Bruce Lee who
referred to it as a cat stretch.
influenced by The Great Gama.[24] It is an effective core
strength exercise because it dynamically involves both the
anterior and posterior chains in a harmonious fashion. There are numerous variations of the Hindu push-
up although most incorporate the two postures used in the most basic version. It may also be known as a
Hanuman push up, judo push up, or dive-bomber push-up.

Guillotine push-up
The guillotine push-up is a form of push-up done from an elevated position (either hands-on elevated
platforms or traditionally medicine balls) wherein the practitioner lowers the chest, head, and neck (thus
the name) past the plane of the hands. The goal is to stretch the shoulders and put extra emphasis on the
muscles there.

Backhanded push-up
The backhanded push-up is a form of push-ups performed using the back of the hands, rather than the
palms. Currently, the record holder of the backhanded push-ups is Bill Kathan who broke the world
record in 2010, by performing 2,396 on Valentine's Day.[25]
One-arm versions
Many of the push-up variations can be done using one arm
instead of two. This will further increase the resistance put
upon the trainee.

Single-leg push-up
To do single leg push-up lift one of the legs off the ground
and do a set. Repeat the same with another leg.
A U.S. Army servicemember
demonstrates a one-arm push-up in an
Narrow-grip push-up
extended position.
Do a normal push-up with the hands just a few inches apart
from each other underneath the chest.

Wide-grip push-up
Similar to a normal push-up but with hands wider than shoulder width. This works the chest and
shoulders more.

Clap push-up
At the peak of the push-up, push the body up off the ground and quickly clap the hands in midair. The fast
jolting force of clap push-ups will help develop explosive power while also bulking up the pectoral
muscles.

Spider-Man push-up
Do a normal push-up but raise one knee toward the elbow of the same side as the body rises. Switch
knees with each rep. More stress can be added to the abs with a two-second hold.

Declined push-up
You can do a declined, or leg elevated, push-up by doing a normal push-up but with the feet on a bench or
a step. Keep your back straight and low down instead of up during the exercise. The more your feet are
elevated, the more difficult this variation will be. The declined push-up, with the downward angle, adds
additional work to the front shoulder and upper pectoral muscles.

Other versions
There are some less difficult versions, which reduce the effort by supporting some of the bodyweights in
some way. One can move on to the standard push-up after progress is made.

"Wall" push-ups are performed by standing close to a wall and pushing away from the wall with the arms;
one can increase the difficulty by moving one's feet further from the wall.
"Table" or "chair" push-ups are performed by pushing away from a table, chair, or other object. The lower
the object, the more difficult the push-up. One should be sure that the object is securely stationary before
attempting to push up from it.

"Three-phase" push-ups involve simply breaking a standard push-up into three components and doing
each one slowly and deliberately. Participants usually start face down on the floor with hands outstretched
either perpendicular or parallel to the body. The first phase involves the arms being brought palms down
on a 90-degree angle at the elbows. The second phase involves the body being pushed into the up
position. The third phase is returning to the starting position. This technique is commonly used after a
large block of regular push-ups, as it poses less stress and requires less effort.

"Diamond" or "Triceps" push-ups are done by placing both palms on the ground and touching together
both thumbs and pointer fingers. This technique requires stronger triceps muscles than regular push-ups
because, at the bottom of the stroke, the forearm is nearly parallel to the ground and the elbow is almost
completely flexed, resulting in a much higher mechanical load on the triceps. There is a special sub-set of
the diamond push-up (so named for the diamond-shaped space between the hands when the thumb and
forefinger of the left hand are placed on the floor up against the thumb and forefinger of the right hand.)
The special version of this push-up is when the diamond is placed directly below the nose instead of the
solar plexus. The nose must almost touch the floor in the center of the diamond. This special diamond
push-up is done by the United States Marine Corps. The lips must come within 1 inch of the floor while
keeping the neck in line with the straight spine to qualify as a valid push-up. This can be verified by
placing a 1-inch foam disposable earplug on the floor in the center of the diamond and picking it up with
the lips.

"Hollow-Body" push-ups are performed in the position gymnasts call the "hollow body". In the plank
version of the hollow body, the shoulders are protracted into a pronounced curve in the upper back while
the abdominal muscles are tightened and the legs are locked and squeezed together. This variation
requires full-body tension to execute and results in greater integration of the hips, shoulders, and core.

Plyometrics
Two platforms are placed beside the trainee, one on either side. The exercise begins with the hands-on
either platform supporting the body, then the subject drops to the ground and explosively rebounds with a
push-up, extending the torso and arms completely off the ground and returning the hands to the platforms.

Another is simply an explosive push-up where a person attempts to push quickly and with enough force
to raise his or her hands several centimeters off the ground, with the body completely suspended on the
feet for a moment, a variation of the drop push. This is necessary for performing 'clap push-ups' i.e.
clapping the hands while in the air.

Aztec push-ups

The Aztec push-up is one of the most difficult plyometric push-ups. A person performs an Aztec push-up
by beginning in the normal push-up starting position and exploding upward with both the hands and feet,
driving the entire body into the air. While in the air, the body is bent at the waist and the hands quickly
touch the toes. The body is then quickly straightened and the hands and feet break the fall, returning the
body to the normal push-up position for another repetition.[26]
360 push-ups

The 360 push-up is a variation of the superman push-up where one rotates 360 degrees while in the
air.[27]

Falling and explosive rebound push-ups

Here one falls to the ground from standing position and then using an explosive push-up gets back to
standing position.[28]

With push-ups, many possibilities for customization and increased intensity are possible. Some examples
are: One hand can be set on a higher platform than the other or be further away from the other to give
more weight to the opposite arm/side of the body and also exercise many diverse muscles. One can
perform push-ups by using only the tips of the fingers and thumb. For increased difficulty, push-ups can
be performed on one arm or using weights.

Push-ups between chairs form an integral part of the "Dynamic Tension" Course devised by Charles
Atlas, and similar systems.

Record breakers and attempts

The Guinness world record for most push-ups in one hour is 3,378 by Pop Laurentiu on 30
June 2023 in London, UK.[29]
The most push-ups in 24 hours is 46,001 and was achieved by Charles Servizio on 25 April
1993.[30]

In the animal kingdom

There are zoology observations that certain animals emulate a push up action. Most notably various taxa
of the fence lizard exhibit this display,[31] primarily involving the male engaging in postures to attract
females. The western fence lizard is a particular species that also engage in this behavior.[32] (It may be
noted that in Mexican Spanish, push-ups are called "Lagartijas", which means "lizards".)

See also
Pull-up (exercise)
Dip (exercise)
Bench press
Calisthenics
Handstand pushup
Jumping jack
Plank (exercise)
Sit-up (exercise)
World Push Up Championships
References
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External links

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