Here are some common types of push-ups:
- Standard push-up: This is the most common type of push-up. Begin in a plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart, and lower your body until your chest nearly touches the ground, then push back up to the starting position.
- Wide-grip push-up: In this variation, place your hands wider than shoulder-width apart to target the chest muscles more effectively.
- Close-grip push-up: In this variation, place your hands closer together, either directly under your shoulders or slightly narrower than shoulder-width apart, to target the triceps and chest.
- Diamond push-up: Also known as the triangle push-up, in this variation, form a diamond shape with your hands by placing your index fingers and thumbs together. This targets the triceps and chest muscles.
- Decline push-up: Place your feet on an elevated surface, such as a bench or step, and your hands on the ground, creating an incline angle. This targets the upper chest muscles.
- Incline push-up: Place your hands on an elevated surface and your feet on the ground, creating a decline angle. This variation targets the lower chest muscles.
- Plyometric push-up: This advanced variation involves explosive movements that use plyometric principles to increase power and strength. After lowering your body to the ground, explosively push up with enough force to lift your hands off the ground.
- One-arm push-up: This advanced variation requires you to place one hand behind your back and perform a push-up using only the other arm.
- Typewriter push-up: In this variation, perform a standard push-up, then shift your body to one side and perform another push-up, then shift to the other side and perform another push-up.
- Spiderman push-up: As you perform a push-up, bring your knee up towards your elbow on the same side of your body, then return your leg to the starting position before repeating on the other side.
- T push-up: As you push up, rotate your body to one side and lift your arm towards the ceiling, forming a T-shape with your body. Lower your body back down and repeat on the other side.
- Staggered push-up: Place one hand slightly forward of the other, and perform a push-up in this staggered position. Then switch the hand positions for the next rep.
- Hindu push-up: In this variation, start in a downward dog position, then lower your hips and push your chest forward into a cobra pose, then push back up into downward dog.
- Clap push-up: Push your body up explosively, and as your hands leave the ground, clap them together before landing back in the starting position.
- Alternating hand tap push-up: Perform a standard push-up, then lift one hand off the ground and tap it to the opposite shoulder, then repeat with the other hand.
- Pike push-up: Start in a downward dog position, then lower your head towards the ground, keeping your legs straight, then push back up to the starting position.
- Plyo push-up with medicine ball: Place one hand on a medicine ball and perform a push-up, then explosively push up so that your hands leave the ground and switch the position of the medicine ball to the other hand before landing back in the starting position.