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Push-Up (Wall) V. 2

A harder wall push-up variation with the feet stepped farther back and elbows tucked, increasing chest and triceps load while staying joint friendly.

ChestBodyweightHorizontal press
GoLightWeight mediapush-up-wall-v-2

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

Pectoralis major

Secondary

TricepsAnterior deltoidsCore

Equipment

Bodyweight

Pattern

Horizontal press

Setup

  1. 01Place the hands on a wall at shoulder height, slightly narrower than shoulder width.
  2. 02Walk the feet back until the body leans noticeably into the wall.
  3. 03Rise onto the balls of the feet if needed to hold the steeper angle.
  4. 04Brace the trunk into one straight line before the first rep.

Execution

  1. 01Lower the chest toward the wall with the elbows tucked close to the ribs.
  2. 02Descend slowly for 2 to 3 seconds, keeping the body rigid.
  3. 03Touch the chest lightly toward the wall between the hands.
  4. 04Press back to full elbow extension without shrugging.

Checkpoints

  • -The lean angle is steep enough that reps feel genuinely loaded.
  • -Elbows brush the ribs rather than flaring.
  • -The body moves as one plank; no hip break at either end.
  • -Heels stay in the same spot for every rep.

Common mistakes

  • -Creeping the feet forward mid-set to make reps easier.
  • -Cutting range and only bending the elbows halfway.
  • -Sagging through the hips as fatigue builds.
  • -Turning the tucked press into a wide-elbow shove.

Programming notes

  • -Use 2 to 4 sets of 8 to 15 slow reps.
  • -Progress from the standard wall push-up by stepping back farther, then to an incline push-up on a bench.
  • -The tucked elbows bias the triceps, making this a useful pre-dip builder.

Related exercises

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