Pushups done consistently over a period of time will improve muscle tone, increase muscular endurance and increase strength and lean muscle tissue in the upper body, including the pectorals, or pecs. To gain muscle, you have to apply the principle of continuous overload -- increase the load on a muscle by using more weight or doing more repetitions. The ability to do this with pushups is limited. Consequently, there is a limit to how much you can build your pecs with pushups.
Muscles Targeted
The pushup is a comprehensive upper-body exercise. The primary muscles targeted are the pectorals, or chest, the front and mid-deltoids, or shoulders, and the triceps. Some of the secondary muscles targeted include the erector spinae, or lower back, rear deltoids and abdominals.
Considerations
If you are new to strength training, particularly if you are under 18, pushups can be a useful exercise to increase your strength, work your chest muscles and build your pecs. If you find pushups difficult, do knee pushups. Assume the pushup position, but keep your knees on the floor. Push up with your arms, and do a maximum number of repetitions. Rest for two minutes and repeat the exercise. Do three to five sets of maximum reps. Within a week or two, you should be strong enough to do one set of normal pushups. Do more sets as you get stronger. The progressive overload should help you get more muscular pectorals, front deltoids and triceps.
Increase Intensity and Difficulty
If your goal is to get bigger pectoral muscles, increase the intensity and difficulty of your pushups as you get stronger. Wear a weighted vest to add resistance. Alternatively, reduce your rest between sets. As you approach an advanced level, do super-sets by doing two sets of maximum-rep pushups back to back without a rest. Do three sets of super-sets. Ramp up your intensity with tri-sets -- three sets of maximum rep pushups back to back without a rest. Do two sets of tri-sets.
Variations
Add variations to your pushups by varying the width of your hands on the floor. Alternatively, place your hands on an elevated surface such as a bench, chair or stability ball. Another option is to elevate your feet. These variations will enable you to hit your pectorals from different angles, vary the resistance and apply a different stimulus. Your pecs should adapt by getting stronger and bigger.
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