Pushups (Close and Wide Hand Positions)
Pushups (Close and Wide Hand Positions) is a beginner compound bodyweight exercise that mainly works your chest, with help from your shoulders and triceps.


How to do the pushups (close and wide hand positions)
- 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.
- Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
- 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.
- After a second pause at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
Sets and reps
Do 3 sets of 8-15 controlled reps, stopping 1-2 reps before failure. When you can do 15 easily, slow the tempo or add weight.
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What muscles does the pushups (close and wide hand positions) work?
It mainly works your chest; your shoulders and triceps assist.
How many sets and reps of pushups (close and wide hand positions) should I do?
Do 3 sets of 8-15 controlled reps, stopping 1-2 reps before failure. When you can do 15 easily, slow the tempo or add weight.
Is the pushups (close and wide hand positions) good for beginners?
Yes. It is a beginner-friendly movement: start light and focus on the form steps above.