Unilateral Push Up Progressions
Muscles worked
- Chest
- Front Shoulder
- Tricep
Form Cues
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Place the hands double-shoulder-width apart on the floor
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Keep the body in a straight line from head to heels
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Keep one arm extended and lower down to the other arm until your chest is next to the floor
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Push back up, extending the arm fully while actively pressing down with the straight arm
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Alternate between sides
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Engage the core to maintain stability
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Protract and depress your shoulders at the top, let them move freely as you lower
Progressions
01 Push Ups
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Start in a plank position with hands shoulder-width apart
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Keep the core engaged and body in one extended line
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Depress and retract the shoulders
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Lower your body by bending the elbows, keeping them close to the body
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Push back up to the starting position, fully extending the arms
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Keep the neck in a neutral position
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Avoid the hip sinking too low or coming up out of the straight body line
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02 Diamond Push Ups
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Start in a plank position with hands close together and the thumbs and index finger forming a triangle
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Keep the core engaged and body in one extended line
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Depress and retract the shoulders
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Lower your body by bending the elbows, keeping them close to the body
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Push back up to the starting position, fully extending the arms
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Keep the neck in a neutral position
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Avoid the hip sinking too low or coming up out of the straight body line
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03 V-Push Ups
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Place the hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart on the floor
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Keep the body in a straight line from head to heels
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Keep one arm partially extended and lower down to the other arm until your chest is next to the floor
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Push back up, extending the arm fully while actively pressing down with the other arm arm
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Alternate between sides
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Engage the core to maintain stability
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Protract and depress your shoulders at the top, let them move freely as you lower
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04 Archer Push Ups
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Place the hands double-shoulder-width apart on the floor
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Keep the body in a straight line from head to heels
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Keep one arm extended and lower down to the other arm until your chest is next to the floor
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Push back up, extending the arm fully while actively pressing down with the straight arm
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Alternate between sides
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Engage the core to maintain stability
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Protract and depress your shoulders at the top, let them move freely as you lower
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05 Ring Archer Push Ups
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Place the rings shoulder-width apart
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Keep the body in a straight line from head to heels
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Keep one arm extended and lower down to the other arm until your chest is next to the rings
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Push back up, extending the arm fully while actively pulling in the straight arm in a chest-fly-like motion
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Alternate between sides
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Engage the core to maintain stability
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Protract and depress your shoulders at the top, let them move freely as you lower
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Adjust the height of the rings to increase or decrease difficulty
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06 One Arm Push Ups
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Place one hand under your chest on the floor in a plank position
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Keep the body in a straight line from head to heels
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Lower down, bending you elbow until your chest (nearly) touches the floor)
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Push back up, extending the arm fully while actively pressing down with the straight arm
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Alternate between sides
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Engage the core to maintain stability, a wider foot position can help
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Protract and depress your shoulders at the top, let them move freely as you lower
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Common mistakes
Built into a program made for you
Every exercise here adapts to your goals, equipment and schedule inside the app.