What muscles does the push-up work?

[Toronto34]

Pushups work every muscle in the body to some degree.

variations will help target different muscle groups in different degrees.

If I were to choose only one exercise it would be the pushup.

 

[Captain Winky]

I tried doing Burpees and Pike push-ups the other day. Loved the Pike, my lats are sore two days later, and I see these as a great alternative to pull-ups when no bar is available. I like Burpees too, but have to develop the coordination and muscle memory to do them properly without going in slow motion. Question: Will it help to "learn" the two main parts, the pushing up and bringing my legs forward, then the jump squat, separately, as two distinct exercises, them combine them? Both are pretty new motions for me and I don't want to develop improper technique and hurt myself.

 

[PoloPlayr]

http://hundredpushups.com/

 

[Scrumhalf]

Originally Posted by Captain Winky

I tried doing Burpees and Pike push-ups the other day. Loved the Pike, my lats are sore two days later, and I see these as a great alternative to pull-ups when no bar is available. I like Burpees too, but have to develop the coordination and muscle memory to do them properly without going in slow motion. Question: Will it help to "learn" the two main parts, the pushing up and bringing my legs forward, then the jump squat, separately, as two distinct exercises, them combine them? Both are pretty new motions for me and I don't want to develop improper technique and hurt myself.

You can do that, I suppose. But how difficult are these two moves anyway? I mean, just do them slowly until you get the rhythm. These aren't some complicated gymnastic moves, after all.

 

[Captain Winky]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

You can do that, I suppose. But how difficult are these two moves anyway? I mean, just do them slowly until you get the rhythm. These aren't some complicated gymnastic moves, after all.

The hardest part for me is springing forward and having my feet land toes-forward as opposed to rolled outwards. It takes me a second to reposition them, and by that point it's no longer one fluid motion. I also honestly need to bring my ability to do an entire set of jump squats up to pace with my ability to do a set of push-ups.

 

[javyn]

I can do way more pushups and burpees when I don't incorporate both at once.

I know, there is a debate raging on still as to whether by definition burpees include a pushup or not, but I don't include the pushup.

Without including the pushup, I can complete a tabata interval of burpees.

Then the next day I'd be on to my 100 pushups/20 pullups workout.

 

[willpower]

Should one wait a day between doing pushups?

 

[StephenHero]

If you're doing them to failure to get stronger, sure. If you're doing them to get exercise, don't worry about it.

 

[captmomo]

When I just started working out, I felt them mostly in my chest and arms.
But nowadays, I feel them mainly in my lats and middle back. Weird eh.

And, push-ups can be done daily.