Push-up

How to do it

Set the hands slightly wider than the shoulders with the body in one straight line from head to heels, ribs down and glutes squeezed. Lower until the chest is just above the floor with the elbows at about 45 degrees, then press back up without letting the hips sag or pike. If you cannot hold the line, raise the hands to an incline rather than letting the lower back drop.

Form cues

• Body is one straight line, ribs down
• Elbows ~45 degrees, not flared

Safety

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

Harder variants

• Dips

Easier variants

• Incline push-up
• Knee push-up

Similar exercises

• Knee push-up
• Decline push-up
• Close-grip push-up
• Incline push-up
• Chest press machine
• Barbell bench press
• Dumbbell floor press
• Decline dumbbell press
• Dips
• Dumbbell bench press
• Dumbbell floor fly
• Dumbbell fly
• Cable crossover
• Pec deck