Pike Push up (between Benches)

Elevate your shoulder workout with Pike Push-ups between benches. This advanced bodyweight exercise builds impressive shoulder and triceps strength.

Advanced
Compound
Push
1 min per set2 min rest

Description

Pike Push up between Benches is a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the shoulders and to a lesser degree also targets the triceps and chest.

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How to Do Pike Push up (between Benches)

  1. 1
    Setup

    Place two benches parallel, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Position your hands on the edges of one bench and your feet on the edge of the other, forming an inverted V-shape.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Ensure your hips are directly above your shoulders, with your core engaged and legs straight, creating a strong, stable base.

  3. 3

    Inhale as you bend your elbows, lowering the crown of your head towards the floor between your hands. Maintain a stable core and keep your elbows pointing slightly backward, not flaring out.

  4. 4

    Push through your hands and extend your elbows, exhaling as you return to the starting inverted V-position. Focus on engaging your deltoids and triceps throughout the movement.

Tips

  • Control the Descent: Slowly lower your head, maintaining tension in your shoulders and triceps throughout the eccentric phase to maximize muscle engagement and minimize injury risk.
  • Elbow Position: Keep your elbows tucked slightly towards your body, preventing them from flaring out excessively, which protects your shoulder joints and better targets the triceps and anterior deltoids.
  • Full Range of Motion: Aim to touch your head lightly to the floor (or as low as comfortably possible) between your hands and fully extend your arms at the top for complete muscle activation.
  • Core Engagement: Actively brace your core throughout the entire movement to prevent your lower back from arching and maintain a rigid, stable body position.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Flared Elbows: Flaring your elbows out to the sides places undue stress on the shoulder joints; instead, keep them tucked in slightly to better target the triceps and deltoids.
  • ×Insufficient Range of Motion: Not lowering your head far enough reduces the effectiveness of the exercise; ensure you lower until your head is nearly touching the floor between your hands for optimal shoulder activation.
  • ×Arching Lower Back: Arching your lower back indicates a lack of core engagement and can lead to discomfort; keep your core braced and maintain a straight line from your head to your hips.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pike Push up (between Benches) good for beginners?
Pike Push up (between Benches) is rated advanced. Beginners can still attempt it with lighter weight and careful form, but it's best to master easier variations first.
What equipment do I need for Pike Push up (between Benches)?
You need Body weight to perform Pike Push up (between Benches). If you don't have this equipment, look for variations that target the same muscles with what you have available.
What are the best tips for Pike Push up (between Benches)?
Control the Descent: Slowly lower your head, maintaining tension in your shoulders and triceps throughout the eccentric phase to maximize muscle engagement and minimize injury risk. Elbow Position: Keep your elbows tucked slightly towards your body, preventing them from flaring out excessively, which protects your shoulder joints and better targets the triceps and anterior deltoids. Full Range of Motion: Aim to touch your head lightly to the floor (or as low as comfortably possible) between your hands and fully extend your arms at the top for complete muscle activation. Core Engagement: Actively brace your core throughout the entire movement to prevent your lower back from arching and maintain a rigid, stable body position.
What are common mistakes when doing Pike Push up (between Benches)?
Flared Elbows: Flaring your elbows out to the sides places undue stress on the shoulder joints; instead, keep them tucked in slightly to better target the triceps and deltoids. Insufficient Range of Motion: Not lowering your head far enough reduces the effectiveness of the exercise; ensure you lower until your head is nearly touching the floor between your hands for optimal shoulder activation. Arching Lower Back: Arching your lower back indicates a lack of core engagement and can lead to discomfort; keep your core braced and maintain a straight line from your head to your hips.

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Pike Push up (between Benches)

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