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Exercise Guide

How to do pike push-up

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

The pike push-up is a fundamental bodyweight exercise designed to build shoulder strength and improve vertical pressing mechanics. By placing your body in an inverted V-shape, you shift more weight onto your deltoids compared to a standard push-up. This exercise serves as a progression toward more advanced movements like handstand push-ups while also engaging your core and upper chest for stability.

Stats

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

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Pike Position: Start in a standard push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and feet hip-width apart.
  2. Elevate Hips: Walk your feet towards your hands as far as you comfortably can, raising your hips high into the air, forming an inverted "V" shape with your body.

The Lift:

  1. Initiate the bend: Slowly bend your elbows, lowering your head towards the floor. Maintain a straight line from your shoulders down to your hips.
  2. Control the descent: Descend until your head nearly touches the floor. Focus on your shoulders and triceps working.
  3. Powerful press: Press back up to the starting pike position, extending your elbows fully.
  4. Repeat: Perform the desired number of repetitions with smooth, focused movements.

Tips:

  • Engage your core: Keep your core tight and hips high throughout the exercise to maintain body position and stability.
  • Keep Elbows In: Tuck your elbows relatively close to your body for optimal shoulder and tricep activation.

Variations:

  • Wall Pike: Easier variation performed with your feet closer to a wall and hips lower.

Common mistakes: Flaring the elbows out wide, tucking the chin to the chest instead of aiming the crown of the head toward the floor, and keeping the hips too low.

Alternatives

Cable

cable front raise

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder
Barbell

barbell overhead press

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder+2
Dumbbell

dumbbell standing alternate press

Front ShoulderRear Shoulder+2
Barbell

barbell seated behind the neck press

Front ShoulderRear Shoulder+2
Dumbbell

dumbbell standing overhead press

Front ShoulderRear Shoulder+2
Bench

barbell seated overhead press

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder+2
Bench

dumbbell seated press

Front ShoulderRear Shoulder+2
Dumbbell

dumbbell standing alternate raise

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder
Bench

dumbbell incline y raise

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder
Seated Shoulder Press Machine

machine hammer grip shoulder press

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder+2
Bench

dumbbell seated alternate shoulder press

Front ShoulderRear Shoulder+2
Seated Shoulder Press Machine

machine seated shoulder press

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder+2
Kettlebell

kettlebell strict press

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder+2
Barbell

barbell front raise

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder
Kettlebell

kettlebell upright row

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder+1
None

pike push-up

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder+2
Resistance Band

resistance band overhead press

Front ShoulderRear Shoulder+2
Dumbbell

dumbbell push press

Front ShoulderRear Shoulder+2
Bench

dumbbell arnold press

Front ShoulderRear Shoulder+2
Smith Machine

smit-machine seated shoulder press

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder+2
Smith Machine

smit-machine standing shoulder press

Front ShoulderLateral Shoulder+2