Push-ups are a fundamental bodyweight exercise that engages a variety of major muscle groups, making them an excellent choice for overall upper body strength and endurance. What muscles do push ups work? Here's a breakdown of the primary muscles worked during push-ups:
Chest (Pectoral Muscles): Push-ups heavily target the pectoral muscles, helping to develop a strong and defined chest. The chest muscles contract as you push your body away from the floor.
Shoulders (Deltoid Muscles): The anterior deltoids, the front part of your shoulder muscles, are activated when you raise and lower your body during push-ups.
Triceps Brachii: Push-ups require you to extend your elbows, engaging the triceps located at the back of your upper arms. This helps build arm strength.
Core Muscles: To stabilize your body and maintain a straight line from head to heels, your core muscles, including the rectus abdominis and obliques, work to prevent your hips from sagging.
Serratus Anterior: These muscles, located along your ribcage, help stabilize the shoulder blades as you push up and down.
Lower Back (Erector Spinae): These muscles are engaged to keep your lower back straight and support your spine.
Incorporating push-ups into your fitness routine not only strengthens these muscle groups but also enhances overall upper body stability. As you progress, you can experiment with different push-up variations to target specific muscle groups more intensely, ensuring a well-rounded upper body workout.
