Why We Should Include Push-ups In Our Training
The push-up usually takes a back seat to the bench press, but it has the same muscle and strength building potential
Though the push-up has likely gotten more love during the course of this ongoing pandemic, it is still an exercise that is under-utilized by most. Comparable in effectiveness to its barbell and dumbbell counterparts, this upper-body pushing exercise should not be overlooked. With many ways to overload the movement — and scale it back if needed — it is a proven way to improve upper body strength and build muscle in the pecs, triceps, and deltoids.
It’s also a great way to train with shoulder pain as the shoulder is in a stable, and therefore stronger, position. Being able to move your hands, as opposed to the more fixed bench press, allows you to adapt the exercise to your own anatomy. This article will detail the science behind the push-up and how to progress it to promote strength, muscle, and health gains.
Why We Should All Be Doing Push-Ups
Recent research has found the push-up to be comparable to the bench press for both strength and hypertrophy gains. A 2015 study measured participant’s 1RM and 6RM on both the bench press and banded push-up. After a training period that…
