Push-Ups

Muscles worked: Chest · Also: Triceps, Shoulders

To do a push-up, start in a plank on your hands and toes with your hands under your shoulders and your body in a straight line from head to heels, then lower your chest toward the floor with control and press back up without letting your hips sag. They work the chest, shoulders and triceps together, which is why they appear in so many routines.

Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels, lower with control until your chest nearly touches the floor, and press up without letting your hips sag. If full push-ups are too hard, start from your knees or an incline and build up — the straight-line shape matters more than the count.

How to do it

1. Start in a plank on your hands and toes, hands under your shoulders, body in a straight line from head to heels.
2. Lower your chest toward the floor with control, keeping your elbows close to your body.
3. Stop when your chest nearly touches the floor, keeping your hips level and your body straight.
4. Press back up to the starting plank without letting your hips sag.
5. If a full push-up is too hard, start from your knees or an incline and keep the same straight-line shape.

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Programs that include it

All exercises

General fitness information only, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain, and talk to a doctor before starting a new workout routine if you have a health condition.