Exercise
Pushups: How to Do It, Muscles Worked
The Pushups is a beginner-level strength exercise that primarily works the chest, with the shoulders, triceps as secondary muscles. It uses no equipment, and is performed in 4 steps, following the form cues, common mistakes and sets/reps guidance below.
What muscles does the Pushups work?
The Pushups primarily targets the chest, and also recruits the shoulders, triceps as secondary muscles. It's classified as a beginner-level strength movement using no equipment.
What are the most common Pushups mistakes?
- Losing tightness through the upper back and shoulder blades during the press.
- Not locking out fully at the top, cutting the working range of motion short.
- Arching excessively through the lower back instead of bracing the core.
- Flaring the elbows out to 90 degrees from the torso, which stresses the shoulder joint.
How should I program the Pushups — sets, reps and frequency?
As an upper-body pressing movement, it responds well to a moderate-to-heavy 6-10 reps for 3 sets while technique is being built. Most lifters train it once or twice a week as a primary movement in a push/pull/legs or upper/lower split. Add small amounts of weight or an extra rep once every working set can be completed with good form — the same progressive overload principle behind every strength exercise in the library.
What are good Pushups variations and alternatives?
- Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip — barbell, beginner level, chest
- Barbell Incline Bench Press - Medium Grip — barbell, beginner level, chest
- Decline Barbell Bench Press — barbell, beginner level, chest
- Decline Dumbbell Bench Press — dumbbell, beginner level, chest
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | Beginner |
| Equipment | Bodyweight |
| Category | Strength |
| Primary muscles | Chest |
| Secondary muscles | Shoulders, Triceps |
How to do the Pushups, step by step:
- Step 1. Lie on the floor face down and place your hands about 36 inches apart while holding your torso up at arms length.
- Step 2. Next, lower yourself downward until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
- Step 3. Now breathe out and press your upper body back up to the starting position while squeezing your chest.
- Step 4. After a brief pause at the top contracted position, you can begin to lower yourself downward again for as many repetitions as needed.
Key takeaways
- The Pushups is a beginner-level strength exercise using no equipment.
- Primary muscles worked: Chest; secondary: Shoulders, Triceps.
- A typical working range is 6-10 reps for 3 sets while technique is being built.
- The most common technical fault is losing tightness through the upper back and shoulder blades during the press.
Log the Pushups in your next workout
Try IRONSLOG freeFrequently asked questions
Is the Pushups suitable for beginners?
Yes — the dataset lists the Pushups as a beginner-level movement, though anyone new to training should still start with light weight (or no added weight) to learn the pattern first.
What equipment do I need for the Pushups?
None — the Pushups uses bodyweight only.
What's the difference between the primary and secondary muscles listed?
Primary muscles (Chest) do most of the work and are usually the limiting factor in the set. Secondary muscles (Shoulders, Triceps) assist or stabilize but aren't the main driver of the movement.