Push-ups are a fundamental bodyweight exercise renowned for their ability to target multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Understanding which muscles are activated during push-ups can help optimize your workout routine.

Primarily, push-ups target the chest muscles, particularly the pectoralis major and minor. These muscles are responsible for the pressing motion involved in push-ups. Additionally, the deltoids, or shoulder muscles, are heavily engaged to stabilize the arms throughout the movement.

Furthermore, push-ups engage the triceps brachii, located on the back of the upper arm, which assist in extending the elbows during the exercise. The core muscles, including the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis, play a crucial role in maintaining stability and proper form throughout each repetition.

Incorporating push-ups into your workout routine can effectively strengthen and tone various muscle groups simultaneously, making it a versatile and efficient exercise choice. Understanding what muscles do push ups work can help you tailor your workouts for maximum effectiveness and results.