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Coach Abuzaid Exercise Guide

Push Ups

Push Ups is a compound exercise that primarily trains pectoralis major. It is commonly used to develop movement quality, strength, muscular capacity or conditioning depending on the load, tempo and volume selected.

Difficulty: intermediateEquipment: BodyweightPattern: compound

What is the Push Ups?

Push Ups is a compound exercise that primarily trains pectoralis major. It is commonly used to develop movement quality, strength, muscular capacity or conditioning depending on the load, tempo and volume selected.

Muscles Worked

Primary
Pectoralis major
Secondary
Anterior deltoid and triceps brachii
Stabilizers
Rotator cuff, serratus anterior and trunk

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How to Perform

  1. Set the shoulder blades in a stable position and place the hands at the grip width required by the variation.
  2. Brace the trunk and keep the wrists stacked over the forearms.
  3. Lower the resistance under control toward the chest or working depth.
  4. Press away smoothly while keeping the shoulders controlled and the elbows tracking consistently.
  5. Finish the repetition without forcing the shoulders forward, then reset.

Coach Abuzaid Technique Cues

  • Keep the shoulder blades controlled.
  • Stack wrists over forearms.
  • Maintain steady foot pressure.
  • Press without losing rib control.

Common Mistakes

  • Flaring the elbows without control.
  • Letting the shoulders roll forward.
  • Bouncing the load or rushing the bottom position.
  • Losing foot or trunk stability.

Benefits

  • Develops capacity in pectoralis major through a compound pattern.
  • Builds repeatable movement control and position awareness.
  • Can be progressed through load, range, tempo, volume or complexity.
  • Fits structured strength, hypertrophy, skill or conditioning work depending on how it is programmed.

When to Use It

Use Push Ups when the program calls for a compound pattern that emphasizes pectoralis major. Adjust load, repetitions, rest and range to match the session goal rather than treating the exercise as a fixed prescription.

Progression

Progress by improving control first, then increasing range, repetitions, resistance, speed or movement complexity only when the current version remains technically consistent.

Regression

Regress by reducing load, range, speed or complexity, using more external support, or selecting a simpler variation of the same movement pattern.

Safety Notes

  • Use a load and range you can control with consistent technique.
  • Keep the equipment setup secure before beginning the set.
  • Do not force painful range or continue through sharp, sudden or unusual pain.
  • Increase load or complexity only after the current variation is repeatable.