Push-ups are one of the best bodyweight exercises for targeting the upper body muscles.
While push-ups are usually considered a chest exercise, they target several muscles in your shoulders and core.
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What Muscles Do Push-Ups Work?
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Serratus Anterior
Theserratus anterior musclesrun from your shoulder blades to your rib cage.
Triceps
Thetriceps musclesare the only muscles in the back of the upper arms.
They are one of the primary “pushing” muscles used during a push-up.
Anterior Deltoids
Thedeltoid musclesgive the tops of the shoulders their rounded shape.
These muscles are comprised of three partsanterior, middle, and posterior.
When the muscles come together, they form a triangleor delta, named for the Greek letter.
Each deltoid muscle performs a slightly different movement.
The anterior deltoids help your shoulders maintain a flexed position during the push-up.
What Are the Benefits of Push-Ups?
Most people do push-ups to strengthen their upper body.
However, this exercise offers additional health benefits.
Because of this, the muscles you work during a push-up also helpstabilizethe shoulder joint.
Keep your torso straight as you lower and raise your upper body.
Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, slightly more than shoulder-width apart.
Weighted Push-Ups
Adding resistance to the standard push-up is an option for advancing this exercise.
It’s essential to keep your core tight with weighted push-ups to protect your spine.
Clap Push-Ups
Clap push-ups are an advanced exercise.
One-Arm Push-Ups
Performing one-arm push-ups requires significant upper body and core strength.
In a plank position, spread your feet apartslightly wider than hip-widthto help maintain your balance.
Then, perform your push-up with one hand on the ground and the other behind your back.
As with any exercise, it is possible to overdo push-ups.
However, it’s not necessarily wrong to do push-ups daily, especially if you aren’t doing many.
Ideally, you should allow a day of rest between workouts that target the same muscle groups.
This exercise can also improve bone strength, reduce age-related muscle loss, and improve cardiovascular health.
People of all levels of fitness can do push-ups using various modifications.
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