EXERCISE GUIDE

Push-Up

The Push-Up is a beginner bodyweight press that primarily trains the chest, with the shoulders and triceps assisting. It is useful for building pressing strength through the chest, shoulders and triceps.

Primary muscles
chest
Secondary muscles
shoulders, triceps
Equipment
bodyweight
Difficulty
beginner

TARGET AREA

Muscles worked

Primary muscles

chest

Secondary muscles

shoulders, triceps

THE MOVEMENT

How to perform

  1. Place your hands slightly wider than shoulder width and make a straight line from shoulders to heels.
  2. Brace the abs and glutes before bending the elbows.
  3. Lower the chest under control while keeping the shoulders stable and elbows at a comfortable angle.
  4. Press the floor away until the arms are straight without losing body position.

IRONYOU / CORE

Core cues

  • Keep a straight line from shoulders to heels by bracing the abs and glutes.
  • Let the elbows track at a comfortable angle instead of flaring straight out.
  • Use the same chest depth on every rep.

STAY SHARP

Common mistakes

  • Letting the hips sag or pike instead of keeping the trunk braced.
  • Flaring the elbows straight out from the shoulders.
  • Shortening the range of motion as the set gets harder.

YOUR PROGRESS

Your strength

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IRONYOU RANK SYSTEM

Standards

Numeric standards are not published

Your IronYou rank can be calculated for this exercise, but numeric public strength standards are not currently published.

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KEEP EXPLORING

Variations

  • Related variations: Flat Barbell Bench Press, Incline Barbell Bench Press, and Flat Dumbbell Bench Press.
  • Choose the version that matches your equipment, joint comfort, and the movement you can repeat consistently.

EARLY ACCESS

Track Push-Up in IronYou.

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