Whether you love them or dread them, you’re likely familiar with the benefits of push-ups. A full-body exercise, push-ups target multiple major muscle groups, including the pectoralis major and minor in your chest, the deltoids in your shoulders, your abdominal and core muscles, your triceps, and the rhomboids and traps in your upper back. Consider the push-up a one-two (three-four-five) punch.
Best of all, push-ups don’t require any exercise equipment, making them an ideal movement to include in your at-home workouts. Plus, a 2019 study found that being able to do more push-ups is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
However, many people struggle with executing push-ups with the proper form and technique. Common mistakes can compromise the effectiveness of the exercise—and potentially increase your risk of injury.
The Most Common Mistakes Made When Doing Push-Ups
The first step in mastering the push-up is to identify the mistakes you’re making. Try practicing push-ups in front of a mirror or ask a friend to take a video of your movement so that you see the areas where your form may need work.
