Push-ups primarily work the following muscle groups:
Chest (Pectoralis Major)
Push-ups are excellent for targeting the chest muscles. They engage the pectoralis major, helping to build chest strength and size.
Shoulders (Deltoids)
Push-ups involve the anterior (front) deltoid muscles which contribute to shoulder strength and stability.
Arms (Triceps Brachii)
The triceps, located on the back of the upper arm, are heavily engaged during push-ups. They play a significant role in extending the elbow joint as you push your body up.
Additionally, push-ups also engage several other muscles to maintain good posture and stability throughout the exercise:
Core Muscles: Your core muscles (rectus abdominis, erector spinae and transverse abdominis) work to stabilize your torso and connect your body during the exercise.
Lower Body Muscles: While not the primary focus the muscles in your hips and legs, including the glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings are engaged to keep your body straight, connected and stable.
In summary, push-ups are a compound exercise that primarily targets the chest, shoulders and triceps but they also engage various other muscle groups for overall upper body and core strength.