Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound
Push and Pull Bodyweight: How to Do It & Muscles Worked
The push and pull bodyweight exercise is a variation of the push-up that emphasizes both the pushing and pulling phases of the movement, targeting the pectorals, triceps, and deltoids.
- Primary muscles
- Chest
- Equipment
- Body Weight
- Level · type
- Intermediate · Compound
How to do the push and pull bodyweight
- Step 1: Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line.
- Step 2: Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
- Step 3: Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
- Step 4: From the push-up position, pull your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
- Step 5: Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
- Step 6: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets, reps and programming
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Rest | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 | 3–6 | 3–5 min | 1–3 reps in reserve |
| Muscle growth | 3–4 | 6–12 | 2–3 min | 1–2 reps in reserve |
| Muscular endurance | 2–3 | 12–20 | 1–2 min | 1–3 reps in reserve |
Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.
Push and Pull Bodyweight alternatives
More exercises that train the chest as their main target:
-
Band One Arm Twisting Chest Press
Chest · Band · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Bench Press
Chest · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Decline Bench Press
Chest · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Decline Pullover
Chest · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Decline Pullover - Endurance Variation
Chest · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Decline Wide-Grip Press
Chest · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Front Raise and Pullover
Chest · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Incline Barbell Bench Press
Chest · Barbell · Intermediate compound
More chest exercises
-
Chest Dip
Chest · Body Weight · Advanced compound -
Dumbbell Bench Press
Chest · Dumbbell · Beginner compound -
Push-Up
Chest · Body Weight · Beginner compound -
Archer Push Up
Chest · Body Weight · Advanced compound -
Assisted Chest Dip (Kneeling)
Chest · Leverage Machine · Beginner compound -
Assisted Seated Pectoralis Major Stretch with Stability Ball
Chest · Assisted · Beginner stretch
Sources
- American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
- Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
- Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
- Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.
Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.
This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.