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Exercise Guide

How to do chest tap push up

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

The chest tap push up is a dynamic bodyweight exercise that adds an element of stability and explosive power to the standard push up. By tapping your chest with one hand at the top of the movement, you force the opposite side of your chest, shoulder, and core to stabilize your weight. This variation increases the intensity, improves coordination, and builds functional upper body strength and core control.

Stats

TIER
3
DIFFICULTY
Intermediate to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
None
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Triceps, Front Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Starting Position: Begin in a standard push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, body in a straight line from head to heels.

The Lift:

  1. Lower Down: Lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
  2. Explode Up: Push yourself up explosively, generating enough force to lift your hands off the ground.
  3. Tap Your Chest: While in the air, quickly tap your chest with both hands.
  4. Catch and Control: Immediately place your hands back on the floor and absorb the impact by lowering into the next push-up.
  5. Repeat: Continue for the desired number of repetitions.

Tips:

  • Explosive Power: Focus on generating enough force to lift your hands completely off the ground.
  • Quick Tap: The chest tap should be quick and light, not a hard slap.
  • Maintain Control: Control your descent after the tap to avoid injuring your wrists or elbows.

Common mistakes: Allowing the hips to sag or hike up, rushing the movement and losing control, and rotating the body too much when lifting the hand for the tap.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Seated Fly Machine

machine seated fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench

cable lying fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable incline fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Cable

cable low chest fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Barbell

barbell bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Chest Press Machine

machine chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Incline Chest Press Machine

machine incline chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Crossover Cable

cable standing fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Dumbbell

dumbbell fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable standing crossovers

ChestFront Shoulder
High Incline Chest Press Machine

machine high incline hammer chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell paused incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

clap push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

bench dip

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench Press

barbell paused bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

chest tap push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

decline push up

ChestTriceps+1
None

dips between chair

ChestTriceps+1
Resistance Band

resistance band push up

ChestTriceps+1
Seated Dip Machine

machine seated dip

ChestTriceps+1
None

wide grip push-up

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell paused decline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Dip Bar

chest dips

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

bench dip on floor

ChestTriceps+1
None

push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

cable lying pullover

ChestBack
Bench

dumbbell close grip bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Dumbbell

push-up row

ChestBack+5
Cable

cable incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Decline Chest Press Machine

machine decline chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Cable

cable bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

dumbbell incline fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench

dumbbell incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine

smit-machine bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine

smit-machine incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

diamond push up

ChestTriceps+1
None

incline push-up

ChestTriceps+1
None

floor triceps dips

ChestFront Shoulder+1
Resistance Band

assisted chest dip

ChestTriceps+1
Decline Bench

barbell decline bench press

ChestFront Shoulder+2
None

burpee

ChestTriceps+7