Push ups
- Feet together, straight back & neck
- Lower until chest 10cm from floor
- Don't rest at the top/bottom
- Bend elbow until 90 degrees
- Keep bum up
Push ups: Exercise Guide
Overview
Push ups are a bodyweight exercise that primarily focuses on strengthening the chest muscles, with secondary emphasis on the triceps and front shoulders. This movement is performed slowly, allowing for controlled engagement of the targeted muscles. Without the need for any equipment, push ups can be performed virtually anywhere, making them a convenient option for many individuals.
This exercise rates a strength level of 2 for the upper body, indicating a moderate level of effort that can help build muscular endurance and strength. Since push ups do not require any equipment, they are accessible to a wide range of fitness levels, though caution is advised to ensure proper form and technique.
What it is good for
- Building strength in the chest muscles.
- Enhancing tricep muscle endurance and strength.
- Improving stability and strength in the front shoulders.
- Developing overall upper body muscular endurance.
- Offering a convenient bodyweight exercise option with no equipment.
- Encouraging slow, controlled movements that promote muscle engagement.
When to avoid it
- Individuals who experience discomfort or pain in the shoulders or wrists during the movement.
- Those who have a history of upper body injuries should proceed with caution.
- Evidence is limited, so it is advisable to consult a professional if unsure about performing this exercise.
- Avoid if unable to maintain proper form, as this may lead to injury.
- Not recommended for those who are new to strength training without guidance.
Verdict
Push ups can be an effective exercise for building upper body strength, particularly in the chest, triceps, and shoulders. While they are accessible and require no equipment, it is essential to perform them with proper form and control to avoid injury. As with any exercise, individual circumstances should be considered, and seeking professional guidance may be beneficial for newcomers or those with previous injuries.
Disclaimer: This content is AI-generated for informational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice. Exercise recommendations should be adapted to individual health status, injuries, and professional guidance.
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Exercise Page FAQ
How an individual exercise page helps you understand a movement, compare alternatives, and connect training choices back to your health goals.
What is an exercise single page for?
An exercise page gives focused context for one movement: what it is, what it may help with, when to be cautious, related exercises, health tests, and ways to explore more fitness support. It turns a movement name into something you can actually use.
What information should I look at first?
Start with the exercise goal, target muscles, equipment, movement type, intensity, recommended uses, and contraindications. Those details help you decide whether the exercise fits your body, your plan, and your current ability.
How do exercise pages connect to health assessments?
Health assessments can give context for exercise decisions. Strength, balance, flexibility, cardio, and body-composition results may help you choose movements that match your current needs instead of guessing with heroic confidence and questionable shoes.
Why are related exercises shown?
Related exercises are selected using shared goals, movement patterns, muscles, equipment, and exercise profile data. They help you find substitutes, progressions, regressions, or variety when one movement is not quite the right fit.
Can I use the exercise database from an exercise page?
Yes. Exercise pages include access to the searchable exercise database so you can keep exploring by goal, muscles, equipment, or movement needs without starting your search from scratch.
What are the AI fitness professionals for?
The AI professionals can help explain an exercise, suggest educational next steps, and support fitness or recovery questions. They are useful guides, but they do not replace a qualified trainer, physiotherapist, doctor, or other professional.
How should I choose between similar exercises?
Compare the goal, required equipment, target muscles, intensity, and any caution notes. The best choice is usually the movement you can perform safely, consistently, and with the right level of challenge.
What if an exercise feels uncomfortable or painful?
Stop if you feel sharp pain, unusual symptoms, numbness, dizziness, or joint pain that feels wrong. Modify the exercise, choose an alternative, or ask a qualified professional before pushing through. Pain is data, not a motivational poster.