Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
  • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
  • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
Home » Muscle-Building
Fact Checked
Fact Checked
This article was written by one of our team of experienced writers, and fact-checked by our experts or our editors. The numbers in parentheses (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.) throughout the article are reference links to peer-reviewed studies.
Our team of experts includes a board-certified physician, nutritionists, dietitians, certified personal trainers, strength training experts, and exercise specialists.
Read Our Editorial Process

Push-up Board — How To Use, Benefits, and Workouts

A push-board is training equipment you didn't know you needed — until now. 

Written by Vidur Saini

Fact Checked by Tom Miller, CSCS

Last Updated on22 February, 2022 | 12:51 AM EDT

Ask Question?

It is no secret that push-up is one of the most versatile exercises. The newbies mostly use the exercise as a foundational movement to build upper body strength and advanced lifters benefit from it by using it as a warmup or a way to annihilate their muscles during or after a workout as a finisher. 

When it comes to building upper body muscle mass, strength, and endurance, there’s more than one way to skin the cat. You could get a membership to your fancy local gym for access to sophisticated training equipment, or you could buy a budget-friendly push-up board for your home gym and workout at your convenience. 

The push-up board has gained popularity over the past few years. Not only is it making its way into the homes of fitness enthusiasts, but many gyms are adding it to their arsenal for its versatility. 

What is a Push-up Board?

Push-up Board
Push-up Board

A push-up board leverages the benefits of the push-up and supercharges them to target your upper body more efficiently. 

But why push-up, you ask?

Push-up is a compound movement that primarily strengthens the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Additionally, it strengthens the stabilizer muscle groups like the biceps, back, core, and erector spinae. 

Get Fitter, Faster

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!

Please wait...
You're In! Let's Crush Your Fitness Goals Together

Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way.

It would be safe to say that push-up is one of the most effective pushing movements and only a few other bodyweight exercises can target so many different muscle groups using the same movement pattern.

The best part about the push-up is that most of us have performed the functional lift growing up — either in our PT classes or to show off our strength to our friends. 

A push-up board is a stable and sturdy platform with color-coded handle adjustments. An individual can use the different hand placement options to train his upper body from different angles.

You could perform more than 30 different push-up variations using the push-up board and take your workout intensity to the next level by incorporating HIIT circuits. 

Check Out: Calories Burned Push-Ups Calculator

Benefits and Disadvantages of Push-up Board

Before we get into the pros and cons of using a push-up board, let’s talk about the health benefits of performing push-ups. You should consider performing push-ups every day as it helps in:

  • Protecting your shoulders and lower back from injuries
  • Improving your flexibility
  • Improving your performance in sports and athletic activities
  • Building core strength
  • Burning calories
  • Improving your balance and posture
Push Up Board Muscle Worked
Push Up Board Muscle Worked

Now that you are up to speed with the advantages of adding the push-up to your daily routine, here is everything you need to know before you buy a push-up board:

Benefits of Push-up Board

1. Budget-Friendly 

Most push-up boards cost less than $70, making them a great piece of training equipment to have at your home. You could find a pushup board starting at $30, but investing in a better quality board will pay dividends in the long run. 

2. Versatile 

The versatile workout equipment is great for people of all ages and experience levels. 

While you do not necessarily need the pushup board to perform all variations, the board makes it easier to perform the exercises without putting your joints and wrists in vulnerable positions. 

Since you do not have to stress about getting your hand placement right, you can better focus on establishing a mind-muscle connection and contracting your target muscles with every repetition. 

3. Great For Beginners 

The correct hand placement can make all the difference when it comes to the pushup. 

The inbuilt color-coded patterns help a newbie perform pushups with the correct form. A push-up board ensures there is no unnecessary stress on the individual’s joints. 

Research suggests that push-up bars can help increase the range of motion of your push-up, which can help you gain strength and build muscle faster. (1)

If a beginner lacks the upper-body strength to perform a push-up, they could make the exercise easier by planting their knees on the floor. 

4. Home Gym

A push-up board is easy to assemble, and most boards on the market are made with high-quality material that make them long-lasting and a great value for your hard-earned money. On top of that, the push-up board is compact and won’t take up too much storage space in your home. 

Having a push-up board at home ensures that you never skip a workout. Most people use snow, storm, or rain as an excuse to miss the gym. However, having a push-up board in your closet renders these excuses useless. 

Related: Best Compact Home Gyms

Get Fitter, Faster

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!

Please wait...
You're In! Let's Crush Your Fitness Goals Together

Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way.

5. Double as Parallettes

The pushup board doubles as parallettes, which makes it a great tool for calisthenics and gymnastics. 

Performing handstand, planche push-up, and L-sit are easier on the push-up board than the floor because of the handles. The board also gives you a little extra height that could make it easier for you to execute the exercises. 

6. Wrist Health

Although the orthodox pushup is a great upper body exercise, it puts your wrists in a compromising position. The pain is largely due to a lack of wrist mobility and grip strength. 

Additionally, performing handstands and planche push-ups puts your entire body weight on your wrists, which can be extremely painful for people dealing with wrist injuries. 

Using a push-up puts your wrists in a neutral (palms facing each other) position and increases your range of motion. This technique can be incredibly effective in elevating unnecessary stress from your wrists.

Related: Bench Press vs Push-Ups: Which One Should You Do?

Disadvantages of Push-up Board 

1. Fixed Hand Placements 

While using a push-up board, you are constricted to the hand placements designed into the board. You also cannot do without the handles that come with it. 

People who like tweaking their hand positions to target their muscles differently might have a hard time adjusting to the board. On top of that, losing even one handle can render the board useless as finding a replacement handle can be hard. 

2. Plateaus

This is not a pushup board problem but rather a bodyweight exercise problem. While using the pushup board, your muscle and strength gain will most certainly plateau over time. 

You could add resistance by placing weight plates on top of your back, but that could damage the board. However, you could delay the plateau by performing HIIT workouts. 

3. Not Too Different From Push-up Bars 

One of the biggest drawbacks of a push-up board is that it is not too different from push-up handles. If you know how to use the pushup handles to target your chest, shoulders, triceps, and back, you could skip buying a push-up board. 

How To Use a Push-up Board

Here is how to use a push-up board:

  1. Set up the push-up board on an even surface. 
  2. Secure the handles in the appropriate color-coded position based on the muscle you are planning to target. 
  3. Once you have the board ready, get into the starting position by grabbing the handles with an overhand (pronated) grip. 
  4. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders, and your body should be in a straight line throughout the movement. 
  5. Slowly lower your torso towards the board until your shoulders are a few inches away from the handles.
  6. Return to the starting position explosively. 
  7. Pause and contract your target muscles at the top. 

How To Use A Push Up Board

Push-up Board Tips:

  1. Do not lock out your arms at the top of the movement as it will take away the tension from your target muscles and put it on your elbows. 
  2. If you are a beginner, you could perform the exercise by balancing your lower body on your knees instead of your feet. 
  3. Gripping the bars tightly will help you generate more power. 
  4. Make sure your neck and spine are aligned while performing the exercise. 
  5. Do not shrug your shoulders. 
  6. Keep your core and glutes braced throughout the movement.
  7. Breathe in while lowering your body towards the floor and exhale sharply as you return to the starting position. 
  8. Don’t flare your elbows too wide as it will put unnecessary tension on your shoulders and rotator cuffs. 

Who should be using the push-up board?

Many people have the same question while talking about the pushup board — “Is it good for beginners, intermediate, or advanced?”

While it is great for beginners, people with all experience levels could benefit from the board. 

A newbie could learn the correct technique of performing the pushup on the board. On the other hand, an advanced lifter could use it to exhaust his muscles using supersets or by performing the different pushup variations at the end of a workout. 

Additionally, COVID-19 taught us the importance of having training equipment at home, and the pushup board is a budget-friendly option that will not burn a hole in your pocket. 

Push-up Board Workout

You’ll be performing high-intensity workouts four days a week. Your daily training regimen will include hitting two muscle groups, core, and cardio. 

Pushup Board Workout Split

  • Day 1: Chest and Back
  • Day 2: Tricep and Shoulders 
  • Day 3: Rest
  • Day 4: Back and Triceps
  • Day 5: Shoulders and Chest 
  • Day 6: Rest
  • Day 7: Rest

Day 1: Chest and Back

  • Warm-Up
    • Jog in place: 15 seconds 
    • Air punches: 20 reps
    • Jumping jack: 15 reps
  • Chest Superset 1
    • Wide pushup (overhand grip): 8-12 reps
    • Squat (floor to ceiling explosion): 10-15 reps
    • Crunch: 25 reps
  • Chest Superset 2
    • Wide angled push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Bent-knee jumping jack: 15 reps
    • Bicycle crunch: 15 reps
  • Chest Superset 3 
    • Vertical push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Mountain climber: 30 seconds
    • Windshield wiper: 15 reps
  • Chest Superset 4
    • Horizontal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Squat: 15 reps
    • Cross-legged sit-up: 20 reps
  • Chest Superset 5
    • Inside diagonal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • High-knees: 15 reps
    • Side crunch: 15 (per side)
  • Back Superset 1
    • Outside Diagonal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Burpee: 10 reps
    • Side plank raise: 10 reps (per side)
  • Back Superset 2
    • Horizontal push-up (supinated grip): 8-12 reps
    • Lunge: 10 reps (per side)
    • Hip raise: 25 reps

* Perform the same warm-up routine at the beginning of every day.

Benefits Of Push Up Board

Day 2: Shoulders and Triceps

  • Shoulder Superset 1
    • Outside vertical push-up: 8-12 reps 
    • Burpee: 10 reps
    • V-crunch: 10 reps
  • Shoulder Superset 2
    • Outside-diagonal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Lunge jump: 10 reps (each side)
    • Floor kick-out: 10 reps
  • Shoulder Superset 3
    • Vertical (inside) push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Jumping jack: 25 reps
    • Floor leg raise: 15 reps
  • Shoulder Superset 4
    • Inside-angled push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Ski jump: 10 reps (each side)
    • Russian twist: 15 reps (each side)
  • Tricep Superset 1
    • Outside vertical push-up: 8-15 reps
    • Burpee: 10 reps
    • Leg climber: 10 reps (each side)
  • Tricep Superset 2
    • Horizontal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • High knees: 20 seconds
    • Russian Twist: 10 reps (each side)
  • Tricep Superset 3
    • Inside vertical push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Squat jump: 10 reps
    • Toe-touch crunch: 10 reps
Pro Tip: Push-ups to activate shoulders need a different technique than conventional pushups. To put more emphasis on your shoulders, you will need to drop forward and press back instead of moving up and down — like performing a downward dog. 

Day 3: Rest

Day 4: Back and Triceps

  • Back Superset 1
    • Outside Diagonal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Burpee: 10 reps
    • Side plank raise: 10 reps (per side)
  • Back Superset 2
    • Horizontal push-up (supinated grip): 8-12 reps
    • Lunge: 10 reps (per side)
    • Hip raise: 25 reps
  • Tricep Superset 1
    • Outside vertical push-up: 8-15 reps
    • Burpee: 10 reps
    • Leg climber: 10 reps (each side)
  • Tricep Superset 2
    • Horizontal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • High knees: 20 seconds
    • Russian Twist: 10 reps (each side)
  • Tricep Superset 3
    • Inside vertical push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Squat jump: 10 reps
    • Toe-touch crunch: 10 reps

Day 5: Shoulders and Chest 

  • Shoulder Superset 1
    • Outside vertical push-up: 8-12 reps 
    • Burpee: 10 reps
    • V-crunch: 10 reps
  • Shoulder Superset 2
    • Outside-diagonal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Cycle split jump: 10 reps (each side)
    • Floor kick-out: 10 reps
  • Shoulder Superset 3
    • Vertical (inside) push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Jumping jack: 25 reps
    • Floor leg raise: 15 reps
  • Shoulder Superset 4
    • Inside-angled push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Ski jump: 10 reps (each side)
    • Russian twist: 15 reps (each side)
  • Chest Superset 1
    • Wide push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Squat (floor to ceiling explosion): 10-15 reps
    • Crunch: 25 reps
  • Chest Superset 2
    • Wide angled push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Bent-knee jack: 15 reps
    • Bicycle crunch: 15 reps
  • Chest Superset 3 
    • Vertical push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Mountain climber: 30 seconds
    • Windshield wiper: 15 reps
  • Chest Superset 4
    • Horizontal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • Squat: 15 reps
    • Cross-legged sit-up: 20 reps
  • Chest Superset 5
    • Inside diagonal push-up: 8-12 reps
    • High-knees: 15 reps
    • Side crunch: 15 (per side)

You’ll be ending your week with the hardest and the longest workout routine. The two rest days after the fifth day are well deserved. 

Day 6: Rest

Day 7: Rest

Wrapping Up 

The push-up board is a great tool for people of any experience level. Used in a HIIT training routine — like the one mentioned above — it can help you carve a chiseled physique while building endurance and stamina. 

If you train at home, a pushup board and a pull-up bar are must-haves in your arsenal. These pieces of training equipment will make you realize the power of bodyweight exercises. 

Next Read: 11 Best Wall Mounted Pull-Up Bars Reviewed for 2024 

References

Fitness Volt is committed to providing our readers with science-based information. We use only credible and peer-reviewed sources to support the information we share in our articles.
  1. McMahon GE, Morse CI, Burden A, Winwood K, Onambélé GL. Impact of range of motion during ecologically valid resistance training protocols on muscle size, subcutaneous fat, and strength. J Strength Cond Res. 2014 Jan;28(1):245-55. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318297143a. PMID: 23629583.

If you have any questions or need further clarification about this article, please leave a comment below, and Vidur will get back to you as soon as possible.

Stay on top of the latest fitness news and updates by adding Fitness Volt to your Google News feed: Follow us on Google News You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more content.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn Pinterest
Categories: Muscle-Building Workout Plans Workouts
Previous Post

Calories Burned Playing Tennis Calculator

Next Post

Calories Burned on a Trampoline Calculator

Vidur Saini

Vidur Saini

Vidur is an ACE-certified personal trainer, writer, and editor at FitnessVolt.com. He has been lifting since 2007 and loves sharing his hard-earned knowledge and passion for strength sports with anyone who lends him an ear. An expert at giving unsolicited advice, his writings benefit the readers and infuriate the bros. Vidur's work has appeared in leading publications such as BarBend and Generation Iron.

Related

Sam Sulek
Bodybuilding

Urs Kalecinski Trains Back with IFBB Pro Sam Sulek in Intense Pump and Posing Session

Jeff Cavaliere
Bodybuilding

Jeff Cavaliere Shares 6 Push-Up Variations That Improve Joint Mobility and Flexibility in ‘Overlooked Areas of the Body’

Burpees Every Day
Training

I Did 100 Burpees a Day for 30 Days — This Is What Happened

Jay Cutler
Bodybuilding

Jay Cutler Reveals What It Really Takes to Develop a Championship Back

How To Watch 2025 World S Strongest Man
Strongman

How to Watch 2025 World’s Strongest Man

Jay Cutler
Bodybuilding

Jay Cutler Coaches Larry Wheels on Back Training and Posing to Help Him Earn an IFBB Pro Card

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Unlocking Anabolic Sleep: 3 Simple Pre-Bed Habits to Maximize Muscle Repair Overnight

Urs Kalecinski Trains Back with IFBB Pro Sam Sulek in Intense Pump and Posing Session

Nick Walker Talks New York Pro Win & Plans for Olympia: ‘4-5 Pounds Heavier, Tighter Waist, Better Conditioning — I Think I’ll Win Hands Down’

Jeff Cavaliere Shares 6 Push-Up Variations That Improve Joint Mobility and Flexibility in ‘Overlooked Areas of the Body’

I Did 100 Burpees a Day for 30 Days — This Is What Happened

Stop Drinking Gallons of Water? Why Electrolyte Balance Might Be MORE Important for Hydration & Performance

Fitness Volt

At Fitness Volt, our mission is to empower every individual on their fitness journey by providing expert advice, the latest research, and comprehensive resources. Whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete, we are here to support your goals with trustworthy and up-to-date information in strength, fitness, and nutrition. Read more.

For inquiries, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]

About Us | Careers | Contact Form

Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • WSM
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Exercises
  • Training
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Discussion Forum

More

  • Calculators
  • Fasting
  • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Workout Plans
  • At-Home Workouts
  • Programs
  • Supplements
  • Newsletter
  • Review Process
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Disclaimer

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Powerlifting
    • Strongman
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2024 WSM
    • Arnold Classic
  • Forum
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Muscle Groups
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Supplements
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Fitness Calculator
  • More
    • DIY
    • Strength Standards
    • Motivation
    • Videos

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.