Push-up Toe Touch

Perform a dynamic push-up followed by an alternating toe touch to build upper body strength, improve core stability, and enhance full-body coordination.

Intermediate
Compound
Push
1 min per set30s rest

Description

Push-up Toe Touch is a beneficial workout that primarily targets the chest and secondary muscles like the core and shoulders. Start in a high plank position, do a push-up, and then lift one hand off the ground to touch the opposite toe, then return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.

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How to Do Push-up Toe Touch

  1. 1
    Setup

    Assume a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward, and body forming a straight line from head to heels.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Engage your core and glutes to maintain a rigid torso, ensuring your hips are neither sagging nor piking upwards.

  3. 3

    Lower your chest towards the floor by bending your elbows, keeping them tucked slightly towards your body, until your chest is just above the ground; inhale during this phase.

  4. 4

    Explosively push through your palms to return to the high plank position, exhaling as you press up.

  5. 5

    Immediately after the push-up, lift one hand off the ground and simultaneously pike your hips upwards, reaching across your body to touch the opposite foot or ankle.

  6. 6

    Return the hand and foot to the high plank position, then repeat the push-up and toe touch on the other side, alternating hands and feet with each repetition.

Tips

  • Focus on maintaining a stable core throughout the entire movement, especially during the toe touch, to prevent excessive hip rotation or sagging.
  • Control the eccentric (lowering) phase of the push-up to maximize muscle engagement and prevent simply dropping to the floor.
  • For the toe touch, actively drive your hips high to create enough space and leverage to reach your opposite foot comfortably.
  • Coordinate your breath: inhale on the way down for the push-up, exhale on the way up, and maintain steady breathing during the toe touch phase.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Sagging hips during the push-up compromises spinal alignment; fix this by actively engaging your core and glutes to keep your body in a straight line.
  • ×Rushing the toe touch without control reduces core engagement; correct this by performing the reach with deliberate control, focusing on stability rather than speed.
  • ×Not fully extending the elbows at the top of the push-up reduces triceps activation; ensure a complete lockout at the top of each push-up repetition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Push-up Toe Touch good for beginners?
Push-up Toe Touch is rated intermediate. 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 Push-up Toe Touch?
You need Body weight to perform Push-up Toe Touch. 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 Push-up Toe Touch?
Focus on maintaining a stable core throughout the entire movement, especially during the toe touch, to prevent excessive hip rotation or sagging. Control the eccentric (lowering) phase of the push-up to maximize muscle engagement and prevent simply dropping to the floor. For the toe touch, actively drive your hips high to create enough space and leverage to reach your opposite foot comfortably. Coordinate your breath: inhale on the way down for the push-up, exhale on the way up, and maintain steady breathing during the toe touch phase.
What are common mistakes when doing Push-up Toe Touch?
Sagging hips during the push-up compromises spinal alignment; fix this by actively engaging your core and glutes to keep your body in a straight line. Rushing the toe touch without control reduces core engagement; correct this by performing the reach with deliberate control, focusing on stability rather than speed. Not fully extending the elbows at the top of the push-up reduces triceps activation; ensure a complete lockout at the top of each push-up repetition.

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Push-up Toe Touch

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