Push-ups are a physical exercise movement that is generally performed face down on the floor and the position of the hands is slightly wider than the shoulders. In the initial position, the arms are bent, then the body is pushed up and the arms are in a straight position. This exercise is quite popular and effective in training muscles, especially the chest, core, and upper arms.
However, did you know that if done correctly, push-ups can also train muscles in other parts of the body?
Types of Push-ups and the Muscles They Train
While push-ups are often thought of as an exercise to train the upper arm and chest muscles, the correct push-up movement involves more body muscles. Here are some of the different types of push-ups and the different muscle groups that are trained through them:
Wall push-ups
The wall push-up is a push-up variation suitable for beginners and those who want to build chest and shoulder strength with a lower muscle load, before doing other push-ups. This move involves standing against a wall and performing a classic push-up against the wall.
Although this variation of the move looks lighter, several muscles are trained through this move, such as the chest muscles, triceps muscles, and shoulder muscles.
Classic push-ups
Classic push-ups, also known as standard push-ups, are the movement of pushing the body off the floor with the help of the arms. Classic push-ups work the pectoral muscle, especially the middle and upper part, triceps, shoulder muscles, core, upper back muscles, and also the glutes.
Read More: Alternative Exercises to Push-Ups
Narrow push-ups
Narrow push-ups are also known as close grip or tricep push-ups. This push-up variation is more challenging than the classic push-up. In this variation of the movement, the hands are positioned closer to each other almost under the shoulders. This move works the triceps and pectoral muscles.
Elevated push-ups
Elevated push-ups are more challenging than classic push-ups because the legs are raised on a plane so that the position of the legs and back becomes parallel to form a straight line. This push-up movement emphasizes the shoulders, triceps, and upper back muscles.
Clap push-ups
Clap push-ups are the most challenging variation and are much more difficult than other push-ups. Clap push-ups involve the classic push-up movement, but as you push your body up, you have to do a small jump and clap in the air. This move requires upper body strength, good coordination, and courage.
Clap push-ups work the shoulder muscles, chest muscles, and triceps muscles. This move requires a significant level of strength and carries a high level of risk.
It turns out that quite a lot of muscle parts are trained with push-ups, right? When done regularly and correctly, in addition to muscle strength, push-ups also improve coordination, heart health, shoulder and chest flexibility, and also increase metabolism.
But keep in mind that even though push-ups are a seemingly simple exercise, they can still pose a risk of injury. Prioritize safety while doing push-ups and other physical exercises. Consult your doctor if you have a history of previous injury and if you want to regularly do push-ups or other types of exercises.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr. Siti Marsiana Meriam
Cathleen Crichton-Stuart (2018). Which muscles do pushups work?. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323640
WebMD (2023). Health Benefits of Push-Ups. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/health-benefits-push-ups
Jane Chertoff (2023). What Are the Benefits and Risks of Doing Daily Pushups?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/pushups-everyday
Elizabeth Quinn, MS (2022). How to Do Push-Ups: Proper Form, Variations, and Common Mistakes. Available from: https://www.verywellfit.com/the-push-up-exercise-3120574
Daniel Preiato, RD, CSCS (2023). What Muscles Do Push-Ups Work?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/muscles-worked-push-ups