Exercise Guide

Wall Push-up

The gentlest push-up there is - hands on a wall, body near upright. A starting point for beginners and a shoulder warm-up for everyone else.

BeginnerStrengthPushCompound
Form
Wall Push-up - Start position
Start
Wall Push-up - Mid position
Mid
Wall Push-up - End position
End

Illustrations by Bryl Lim for Workout Guide, after Everkinetic. Used unchanged under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Details

Primary Muscle

Chest

Equipment

Bodyweight

Difficulty

Beginner

Category

Strength

Force

Push

Mechanic

Compound

Secondary Muscles

TricepsShoulders
How to Perform
  1. 1

    Stand an arm's length from a wall and place your hands on it slightly wider than your shoulders, at chest height.

  2. 2

    Step back until your body is at a slight angle with your heels still down.

  3. 3

    Bend your elbows to bring your chest toward the wall.

  4. 4

    Press back until your arms are straight.

Tips
  • Step further from the wall to make it harder, closer to make it easier.
  • Keep a straight line from heels to head rather than hinging at the hips.
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