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Exercise guide

Plyo Push-up

How to do the Plyo Push-up with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundBody OnlyBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Chest

Secondary

Shoulders, Triceps

Equipment

Body Only

Step by step

How to do the Plyo Push-up

  1. 1

    Move into a prone position on the floor, supporting your weight on your hands and toes.

  2. 2

    Your arms should be fully extended with the hands around shoulder width. Keep your body straight throughout the movement. This will be your starting position.

  3. 3

    Descend by flexing at the elbow, lowering your chest towards the ground.

  4. 4

    At the bottom, reverse the motion by pushing yourself up through elbow extension as quickly as possible. Attempt to push your upper body up until your hands leave the ground.

  5. 5

    Return to the starting position and repeat the exercise.

  6. 6

    For added difficulty, add claps into the movement while you are air borne.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Plyo Push-up set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your chest volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Plyo Push-up fits

The Plyo Push-up shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More chest exercises

FAQ

Plyo Push-up: common questions

What muscles does the Plyo Push-up work?

The Plyo Push-up primarily works the Chest. It also recruits the Shoulders and Triceps as supporting muscles.

Is the Plyo Push-up suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Plyo Push-up is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.

What equipment do I need for the Plyo Push-up?

None. The Plyo Push-up is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it without any equipment.

Is the Plyo Push-up a compound or isolation exercise?

The Plyo Push-up is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.

How do I do the Plyo Push-up with correct form?

Move into a prone position on the floor, supporting your weight on your hands and toes. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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