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Exercise Guide

How to do decline push up

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

The decline push up is a powerful bodyweight exercise that shifts the focus of the movement toward the upper pectoral muscles and the anterior deltoids. By elevating your feet on a bench or platform, you increase the resistance placed on your upper body. This variation is excellent for building chest definition and enhancing overall upper body pushing strength and core stability.

Stats

TIER
3
DIFFICULTY
Beginner to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Bench
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Triceps, Front Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Elevated Surface: Find a stable elevated surface such as a bench, box, or step.
  2. Starting Position: Begin in a push-up position with your hands on the floor, shoulder-width apart, and your feet elevated on the bench. Ensure your body forms a straight line from head to heels.

The Lift:

  1. Lower Down: Bend your elbows and lower your chest towards the floor, keeping your elbows tucked in close to your body at about a 45-degree angle.
  2. Depth: Lower yourself until your chest nearly touches the floor or as far as you comfortably can.
  3. Push Upward: Press through your palms to push your body back up to the starting position, extending your arms fully.

Tips:

  • Body Alignment: Maintain a straight line from head to heels throughout the movement. Avoid letting your hips sag or your back arch.
  • Engage Your Core: Tighten your abdominal muscles to stabilize your spine and prevent lower back pain.
  • Elbow Position: Keep your elbows tucked in close to your body as you lower yourself down, not flared out.

Variations:

  • Feet Elevation: Adjust the height of the elevated surface to change the intensity of the exercise.
  • Close Grip: Bring your hands closer together to emphasize your triceps.
  • Diamond Push-Up: Touch your thumbs and index fingers together to form a diamond shape, placing increased emphasis on your triceps.

Common mistakes: Arching the lower back, sagging the hips, and placing the hands too far forward which puts excessive strain on the shoulders.

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