Chest exercises

Single-arm Push-up

Also known as: Pompes à un bras · Κάμψεις με ένα χέρι · one arm push-up

Primary
Chest
Equipment
Bodyweight
Level
Intermediate
Type
Compound
Force
Push
Suggested rest
1.5 min
 
One side at a time

How to do the Single-arm Push-up

  1. Begin laying prone on the ground. Move yourself into a position supporting your weight on your toes and one arm. Your working arm should be placed directly under the shoulder, fully extended. Your legs should be extended, and for this movement you may need a wider base, placing your feet further apart than in a normal push-up.

  2. Maintain good posture, and place your free hand behind your back. This will be your starting position.

  3. Lower yourself by allowing the elbow to flex until you touch the ground.

  4. Descend slowly, and reverse direction be extending the arm to return to the starting position.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth3–46–151.5 min
Muscular endurance2–315–201 min

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add a rep or a harder variation next session.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Chest

Secondary

Shoulders, Triceps

The pecs push your arms forward and across your body. Presses build the most mass; flyes and cable work load the stretch the presses miss.

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Bodyweight chest exercises