Exercise Profile
  • Target Muscle Group
  • Exercise TypeStrength
  • Equipment RequiredExercise Ball
  • MechanicsCompound
  • Force TypePush (Bilateral)
  • Experience LevelIntermediate
  • Secondary Muscles
    Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
Target Muscle Group

Chest

Chest Muscle Anatomy Diagram

Exercise Ball Push Up Overview

The exercise ball push up is a variation of the push up and an exercise used to build the push muscles of the upper body including the chest, shoulders, and triceps.

Performing the exercise ball push up provides an excellent core and shoulder stability challenge. However, it is important to master the traditional push up prior to moving to more advanced variations.

Exercise Ball Push Up Instructions

  1. Assume a quadruped position on the floor with your hands on a physioball, toes tucked, and knees under hips.
  2. Extend one leg at a time and assume a pushup position with the legs straight, elbows extended, and head in a neutral position looking at the floor.
  3. Slowly descend to the floor by retracting the shoulder blades and unlocking the elbows.
  4. Descend until the upper arms are parallel or your chest touches the ball.
  5. Push back to the starting point by extending the elbows and driving your palms into the ball.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Exercise Ball Push Up Tips

  1. Your arms should resemble an arrow in the bottom position, not a “T”.
  2. Your spine should remain rigid throughout the entire exercise, think of the pushup as a moving plank.
  3. Squeeze your glutes and brace your abs before descending to keep the ribcage neutral.
  4. Keep the chin down and don’t look forward.
  5. Imagine you’re trying to push your thumbs together while completing the movement, this will improve activation of the pecs.
  6. Don’t allow the head to jut forward, the chest should touch at the same time as your nose.
  7. Think about trying to push yourself as far away from the floor as possible.
    • Ensure you push all the way through the floor at the top of the repetition and allow your shoulder blades to move around your ribcage.
    • Most folks cut the repetition short and don’t garner the full benefits.
2 Comments
narjes
Posted on: Mon, 11/12/2012 - 03:39

i am on good weight without any extra weight. i do exercise everyday but i would like to concentrate on abs workout to have beautiful body

narjes
Posted on: Mon, 11/12/2012 - 03:37

your exercise was so good for me .i used it to be more good looking.