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in: Fitness, Health & Fitness, Visual Guides

• Last updated: January 6, 2025

Skill of the Week: Do a Perfect Push-Up

Visual guide showing how to do a push-up

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

It’s hard to beat the burn of an old-school push-up. The push-up works multiple muscles in a single movement: chest, shoulders, triceps, and core. It requires no special equipment and can be done anywhere, anytime. But while most people have been doing push-ups since their first P.E. class, mastering the subtleties of correct technique can help you get the most out of this exercise. In this illustrated guide, we walk you through those subtleties from beginning to end. Pay attention to the details and push your way through to a stronger upper body.

Once you’ve mastered the standard push-up, here’s what to do when the muscle-gaining results you get from them plateau, as well as 35+ variations to work into your routine.

Like this illustrated guide? Then you’re going to love our book The Illustrated Art of Manliness! Pick up a copy on Amazon.

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