Best 7 Push-Up Variations to Build Muscle
There is only one body-weight exercise you can think of for hitting
pecs—pushups—and those get old after a while. Why pushups? It’s both their
simplicity (everyone knows them; they require zero equipment) and that
they test strength and cardio capacity.
Pushups are the ultimate adapter exercise. They can be done anywhere.
They recruit more than half the muscles in the upper body, as well as much
of the core. And they’re safe to do. Turns out, they’re also a measurement
of overall health.
But hang on a minute. There is actually a multitude of pushup variations
that hit the chest (as well as the triceps and delts) in subtly different
ways. Perform them correctly, and they will keep your body-weight-pushing
workouts from getting stale, which will in turn help you pack on more
muscle and develop more strength.
Feet-Elevated Push-up:
Anytime you want to put more focus on your upper pecs. If this area is a
weakness for you, do feet-elevated pushups before standard ones.
Do: 3 sets of 12-15
How to:
● Place your feet up on a bench or box behind you in a pushup
position, with your hands directly below your shoulders.
● Bend your elbows to lower yourself to the floor, keeping your core
tight throughout so that your hips don’t sag.
● Don’t let your elbows point out to the sides; keep your forearms
at 45 degrees or less to your torso.
● Go down until your face or forehead nearly touches the floor, then
press back up.
Forearm Push-up:
Late in an upper-body workout, since it focuses more on the triceps.
Think of this as more of an isolation arm movement than a chest builder.
Do: 2 sets pf 10-12
How to:
● Assume a pushup position in which your hands are placed a few
inches forward than normal—directly below your face, instead of below your
shoulders.
● With your elbows pointed behind you and tucked into your sides,
lower your forearms all the way down to the floor.
● When your elbows touch down, press up until your arms are
extended.
One-Arm Push-up:
Early in your chest workout. Make this your first big strength move; your
rep counts will likely be low. Do: 2 sets of 5
How to:
● From a standard pushup position, spread your feet wide behind you
for stability and one hand up off the floor. (Keep it behind your back
during the move.)
● Slowly lower yourself toward the floor.
● You may not be able to lower your chest all the way to the floor
and get back up.
● (You can also place one arm on stacked plates and the other on the
floor, as shown on the opening spread, to build up to this move.)
● Just go down as far as you can, then press back up to full arm
extension.
● Repeat all reps on that arm, then switch arms.
Clapping Push-up:
Early in your workout. Explosive exercises should always be done first,
even before heavy strength moves. Do: 2 sets of 5
How to:
● Assume a standard pushup position, making sure your hands aren’t
too wide on the floor—no wider than shoulder-width.
● Slowly lower yourself toward the floor.
● When your chest touches down, press back up as explosively as
possible so that your hands leave the floor at the top of the rep.
● Clap your hands quickly in midair before catching yourself with
soft (slightly bent) elbows and your hands back on the floor.
● Settle yourself, then repeat for reps.
Crucifix Push-up:
Late in your workout; think of crucifixes as an isolation flye-type
movement. Do: 2 sets of 15-20
How to:
● From a standard pushup position, spread your hands wide on the
floor with your fingers pointed out to the sides.
● In the start position, your chest will already be fairly close to
the floor, even with your arms extended.
● Bend your elbows to lower all the way down until your chest
touches the floor, then press back up to full arm extension.
● The range of motion on this move is much shorter than with regular
pushups.
Incline Push-Up
How to:
● Choose a raised support to position your hands with outstretched
arms.
● Get on your tiptoes and spread your hands a little more than
shoulder-width apart.
● Contract the abdominals, the glutes and try to put the pectorals
(lightly) on the support, here the bench. Push back while exhaling.
Pushup + Arm and Leg Reach:
Late in a chest or upper-body workout or in a separate, core-focused
routine. Do: 2 sets of 5 per side
How to:
● Start in a pushup position with your core tight.
● Perform 1 pushup rep, then, at the top, slowly lift one hand and
opposite foot off the floor until your arm and leg are in a straight line
with your torso.
● Hold for a count, then bring your hand and foot back down.
● Repeat with the opposite hand and foot.
● That’s 1 rep.
