Pike push-up

How to do it

From a push-up position walk the feet in and lift the hips until the body makes an inverted V and the torso is close to vertical. Bend at the elbows to lower the crown of the head toward the floor between the hands, then press back up. The higher the hips, the more it becomes an overhead press. Regress it by dropping to the knees or raising the hands onto a step; progress by elevating the feet. It is the only vertical press that needs no equipment at all.

Form cues

• Hips stay high — the torso should feel near-vertical
• Lower the crown of the head toward the floor, not the chin

Safety

Talk to a professional before this exercise if you have any of the following:

Harder variants

• Dips

Easier variants

• Incline pike push-up

Similar exercises

• Incline pike push-up
• Feet-elevated pike push-up
• Dumbbell shoulder press
• Seated machine shoulder press
• Overhead press
• Arnold press
• Band overhead press
• Front raise
• Push press