Wide Push-Up

The wide push-up places the hands further apart than standard, increasing the range of motion through horizontal adduction and placing greater emphasis on the chest muscle fibres.

Beginner 💪 Chest Compound Push
3
Sets
10–20
Reps
60 sec
Rest
Compound
Type
🏋️ Bodyweight
Wide Push-Up — start and finish positionsSTARTFINISH
Bodyweight
Chest Beginner Compound
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Muscles Worked

Learn more in the Chest training guide →

Primary
Chest
Secondary
Front Delts
Highlighted muscles

How To Perform

  1. 1 Place hands wider than shoulder-width — roughly 1.5x shoulder width.
  2. 2 Maintain a straight body line from head to heels.
  3. 3 Lower to the floor with elbows travelling outward.
  4. 4 Press back up to full extension.

Form Cues

  • ✓ A wider grip creates more chest stretch at the bottom.
  • ✓ Keep elbows from going completely perpendicular to the body.

Common Mistakes

  • ✗ Going so wide that there is wrist or shoulder strain.
  • ✗ Partial range of motion.
💡 Professor Splits Says:

Progressive overload is the engine of muscle growth. Track your weights and aim to add small increments weekly. For Wide Push-Up, this means gradually increasing load, volume (sets × reps), or decreasing rest periods over time.

Exercise Alternatives

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Where This Exercise Fits

FAQ

How many sets of Wide Push-Up should I do?▾
3 sets of 10–20 reps is a solid starting point. Adjust based on your training frequency and overall weekly volume for chest. Beginners should start with the lower end; advanced trainees can push toward the upper range.
What muscles does Wide Push-Up target?▾
Wide Push-Up primarily targets the Chest. Secondary muscles include Front Delts.
Is Wide Push-Up good for beginners?▾
Wide Push-Up is beginner-friendly. Focus on technique with lighter loads before adding weight.
How much rest between sets?▾
For Wide Push-Up, 60 sec of rest between sets is recommended. Compound exercises require more recovery — longer rests (2–3 min) allow better performance on the next set.