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Exercise 0471 · REF rQxwMxO

Handstand Push-Up exercise animation

Handstand Push-Up

Category
Upper Arms
Equipment
Body Weight
Target
Triceps

The handstand push-up takes vertical pressing to its hardest bodyweight version, loading the shoulders with close to full bodyweight through a range that a standing overhead press never asks for. Most lifters need a wall for balance and a long runway of pike push-ups and shoulder work before this is realistic without support.

How to Do the Handstand Push-Up

  1. Find a wall and face away from it, standing a few feet away.
  2. Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart and kick your feet up against the wall, coming into a handstand position.
  3. Bend your elbows and lower your head towards the ground, keeping your body in a straight line.
  4. Push through your hands and extend your arms to return to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

The Handstand Push-Up primarily targets the Triceps, with Shoulders as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Chest, Core.

More Upper Arms Exercises

Assisted Standing Triceps Extension (with Towel) Assisted Standing Triceps Extension (with Towel) Assisted · Triceps Assisted Triceps Dip (kneeling) Assisted Triceps Dip (kneeling) Leverage Machine · Triceps Band Alternating Biceps Curl Band Alternating Biceps Curl Band · Biceps Band Close-Grip Push-Up Band Close-Grip Push-Up Band · Triceps Band Concentration Curl Band Concentration Curl Band · Biceps Band One Arm Overhead Biceps Curl Band One Arm Overhead Biceps Curl Band · Biceps

More Triceps Exercises

Band Side Triceps Extension Band Side Triceps Extension Band · Triceps Barbell Close-Grip Bench Press Barbell Close-Grip Bench Press Barbell · Triceps Barbell Decline Close Grip To Skull Press Barbell Decline Close Grip To Skull Press Barbell · Triceps Barbell Incline Close Grip Bench Press Barbell Incline Close Grip Bench Press Barbell · Triceps Barbell Incline Reverse-Grip Press Barbell Incline Reverse-Grip Press Barbell · Triceps Barbell Jm Bench Press Barbell Jm Bench Press Barbell · Triceps

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have body weight? These target the same triceps with different equipment.

Assisted Standing Triceps Extension (with Towel) Assisted Standing Triceps Extension (with Towel) Assisted · Triceps Assisted Triceps Dip (kneeling) Assisted Triceps Dip (kneeling) Leverage Machine · Triceps Band Close-Grip Push-Up Band Close-Grip Push-Up Band · Triceps Barbell Close-Grip Bench Press Barbell Close-Grip Bench Press Barbell · Triceps

FAQ

What muscles does the Handstand Push-Up work?
The Handstand Push-Up primarily targets the triceps, with the shoulders and chest, core assisting.
What equipment do I need for the Handstand Push-Up?
The Handstand Push-Up is done with no equipment — just body weight.
What's a good alternative to the Handstand Push-Up?
If you don't have access to the space or setup it needs, the Assisted Standing Triceps Extension (with Towel) targets the same triceps using assisted instead.