What Muscles Do Push-Ups Work?

Push-ups are a compound exercise that primarily targets the muscles in the upper body. The main muscle groups worked during push-ups include:

1. Chest (Pectoralis Major):

   • Push-ups are excellent for targeting the chest muscles. As you lower your body to the ground and push back up, the pectoralis major muscles are engaged.

2. Shoulders (Deltoids):

   • The anterior (front) part of the shoulders, known as the anterior deltoids, is actively involved in the pushing movement during push-ups.

3. Triceps Brachii:

   • The triceps, located at the back of the upper arm, are engaged as you extend your arms and push your body away from the ground.

4. Back (Latissimus Dorsi):

   • While the primary focus is on the chest and shoulders, push-ups also engage the latissimus dorsi muscles in the back.

5. Core Muscles:

   • The core muscles, including the rectus abdominis and obliques, play a stabilizing role during push-ups to keep the body in a straight line.

6. Serratus Anterior:

   • This muscle, located on the sides of the chest, is involved in stabilizing the shoulder blades during the movement.

7. Rhomboids:

   • The rhomboids, located between the shoulder blades, are engaged to stabilize the shoulder blades and upper back.

8. Scapular Stabilizers:

   • Muscles that help stabilize and control the movement of the shoulder blades are also activated during push-ups.

It's important to maintain proper form during push-ups to effectively target these muscle groups and prevent strain or injury. Ensure that your body forms a straight line from head to heels, and engage your core throughout the movement. If you're new to push-ups, you can start with modified versions, such as kneeling push-ups, and gradually progress to standard push-ups as your strength improves.