Pushups are an effective multi-joint movement that uses your body weight as resistance. Boot camp programs and sports trainers include pushups in their programs because no equipment is necessary and they are an excellent way to develop strength and cardiovascular endurance. Pushups maximize your workout time by working multiple muscle groups and can be varied for increased difficulty.
Chest
The same muscles are used in a pushup as in the bench press, according to Human Kinetics. The chest muscles are responsible for shoulder rotation and moving the arms in close or away from the body. Pectroalis Major, Sternal head -- also called the lower pecs -- is the targeted chest muscle in a pushup. The pectoralis major, clavicular, also called the upper chest or upper pecs, aids the pectoralis major.
Shoulders
Other muscles that are strengthened using pushups include the deltoid, anterior, according to Georgia State University. These are the front delts, located on the front part of the shoulder. The deltoid assists the pectoralis major during pushups.
Triceps
Triceps brachii are the muscles on the back of the arm. The triceps consist of a long head, lateral head and medial head. These muscles assist the targeted chest muscles while performing a pushup.
Biceps
The biceps brachii, short head, is another muscle activated during pushups. Biceps come into play during a pushup as a dynamic stabilizer. Dynamic stabilizers assist the rotator during exercises that use compound movements such as pushups.
Abdominals
The rectus abdominis, the group of muscles that form what is commonly called the "six pack" and the obliques are activated during a pushup. They help stabilize the body during the exercise.
Member Comments