The wide hand push up is a bodyweight exercise that targets the pectoral muscles by increasing the distance between the hands, placing more emphasis on the chest compared to a standard push up. It also engages the triceps and shoulders as secondary muscles.
Quick Facts
How to Do Wide Hand Push Up
Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Wide Hand Push Up with proper form and technique.
- Start in a high plank position with your hands wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your body in a straight line from head to toe.
- Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
- Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Understanding which muscles Wide Hand Push Up targets helps you integrate it effectively into your training program.
Target Muscles
These are the main muscles responsible for performing the movement and receive the greatest training stimulus.
Secondary Muscles
These muscles assist in the movement and receive secondary training benefits.
Benefits of Wide Hand Push Up
Incorporating Wide Hand Push Up into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.
- Pectorals Development: Wide Hand Push Up directly targets and strengthens the Pectorals, promoting muscle growth and improved functional strength.
- Secondary Muscle Engagement: This exercise also works the Triceps and Shoulders, providing additional training stimulus without extra exercises.
- Convenience and Accessibility: This exercise requires no equipment, making it perfect for home workouts, travel, or when gym access is limited.
- Functional Strength: Strength exercises like Wide Hand Push Up build real-world strength that transfers to daily activities and athletic performance.
Safety Tips and Precautions
Performing Wide Hand Push Up safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.
- Warm Up Properly: Before performing Wide Hand Push Up, complete 5-10 minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic stretches targeting the Pectorals and surrounding muscles.
- Prioritize Form Over Weight: Never sacrifice proper technique for heavier weights. Poor form significantly increases injury risk and reduces the exercise's effectiveness.
- Progress Gradually: Master easier progressions before attempting advanced variations. Ensure your supporting surface is stable.
- Shoulder Protection: Avoid flaring your elbows excessively, which can strain the shoulder joint. Keep your shoulders packed and stable.
- Respect Your Range of Motion: Work within your current mobility limits. Gradually improve flexibility over time rather than forcing deeper positions.
- Don't Hold Your Breath: Maintain consistent breathing throughout the exercise. Exhale during the exertion phase and inhale during the easier phase.
- Know When to Stop: End your set when you can no longer maintain proper form. Training to absolute failure on every set increases injury risk.
- Allow Adequate Recovery: The Pectorals typically need 48-72 hours to recover after intense training. Avoid training the same muscle group on consecutive days.
Tracking Your Progress
To make consistent gains with Wide Hand Push Up, track these metrics during your workouts:
Track the number of sets you complete. Most training programs recommend 3-5 sets per exercise.
Record your repetitions per set. Adjust rep ranges based on your goals: 1-5 for strength, 6-12 for hypertrophy, 12+ for endurance.