Exercise library · Chest

How to Do Pushups (Close and Wide Hand Positions)

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the pushups (close and wide hand positions).

How to do it

1. Lie on the floor face down and body straight with your toes on the floor and the hands wider than shoulder width for a wide hand position and closer than shoulder width for a close hand position. Make sure you are holding your torso up at arms length.
2. Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
3. Using your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position and squeeze your chest. Breathe out as you perform this step.
4. After a second pause at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

Form tips

• Start light and own the movement before adding weight.
• Control the lowering phase — don't drop into it.
• Keep breathing; exhale on the hardest part.
• Stop if you feel sharp pain (different from muscle burn).

Workouts with this exercise

Similar exercises

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Gear for this exercise

Exercise matGrip and comfort for floor work, core and stretching.See it on Amazon →Doorway pull-up barThe cheapest way to train your back and biceps at home.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.