Tricep press-up

Target the backs of your arms with one small adjustment to the press-up – try the tricep press-up, instead

Press-ups are, without a doubt, one of our favourite exercises. They’re an exercise that really packs a punch thanks to its requirement to engage the core throughout, as well as being an upper body move. The tricep press-up – or narrow press-up, as it’s also known – is just like a regular press-up but with the hands positioned closer together. This recruits more of the muscles at the backs of the arms, taking some of the pressure away from the chest. You might find these more challenging at first, so you could always start with hands on a bench or raised surface to begin with.

Instructions

Start in a high plank position with hands no wider than shoulder-width apart.

Keeping your body in a straight line from head to heel, bend your arms to lower your chest towards the floor. Keep your elbows close to your body throughout, directing them out behind you rather than to the side.

Push back up to the start and repeat.

Top tips:

If you find your hips drop during the exercise, place your hands on a bench or table to ease the pressure on your core.

Keep your gaze between your hands throughout.

Don’t strain your neck.

Squeeze your glutes throughout.