10 Best Modified Hindu Push-up Alternatives for Home Workouts
The Modified Hindu Push-up is done standing. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Chest Dip On Straight Bar, the Push And Pull Bodyweight and the Push-up On Lower Arms.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Modified Hindu Push-up
- Primary muscle
- Pectorals
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Triceps, Shoulders, Core
How to perform Modified Hindu Push-up
- Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart.
- Lower your body towards the ground, bending your elbows and keeping your core engaged.
- As you lower your body, shift your weight back and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, creating an inverted V shape with your body.
- Continue to lower your body until your chest is just above the ground, then reverse the movement, pushing your hips back down and extending your arms to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked Modified Hindu Push-up Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Modified Hindu Push-up on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.
Best match 1. Chest Dip On Straight Bar
91% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
The same equipment, done hanging instead.
How to perform this exercise
- Grab the parallel bars with your palms facing down and your arms fully extended.
- Bend your knees and cross your ankles.
- Lower your body by bending your arms until your shoulders are below your elbows.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: hanging, not standing
2. Push And Pull Bodyweight
91% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
The same equipment, done lying face down instead.
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line.
- Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
- Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
- From the push-up position, pull your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
- Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: lying face down, not standing
3. Push-up On Lower Arms
91% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the pectorals.
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a plank position with your forearms on the ground and elbows directly below your shoulders.
- Engage your core and keep your body in a straight line from head to toe.
- Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: lying face down, not standing

4. Drop Push
91% match- Pectorals
- Other
- Intermediate
- Compound
A straight swap when you want to keep working the pectorals.
How to perform this exercise
- Position low boxes or other platforms 2-3 feet apart.
- Move to a pushup position between them, supporting yourself by placing your hands on the boxes.
- With good posture, drop from the platforms by pressing up and moving your hands to shoulder width, cushioning your landing by absorbing the impact through the arm.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: lying face down, not standing
5. Drop Push Up
91% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your chest towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- Once your chest is just above the ground, quickly drop your knees to the ground.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: lying face down, not standing
6. Pike-to-cobra Push-up
91% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
- Engage your core and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, forming an inverted V shape with your body.
- Lower your upper body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
- As you lower down, shift your weight forward and transition into a cobra pose by straightening your arms and lifting your chest up.
- Reverse the movement by bending your elbows and lowering your chest back down towards the ground.
- Push through your hands to return to the inverted V position.
- Continue the movement by lowering your hips back down towards the ground, returning to the starting push-up position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: lying face down, not standing
7. Push-up
91% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
- Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
- Pause for a moment when your chest is just above the ground, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: lying face down, not standing
8. Push-up Plus
91% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line from head to heels.
- Lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
- Once your chest is just above the ground, push through your hands to extend your arms and lift your upper body up.
- At the top of the movement, protract your shoulder blades by pushing your upper back towards the ceiling.
- Pause for a moment, then reverse the movement by retracting your shoulder blades and lowering your body back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: lying face down, not standing

9. Pushups
90% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie on the floor face down and place your hands about 36 inches apart while holding your torso up at arms length.
- Next, lower yourself downward until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
- Now breathe out and press your upper body back up to the starting position while squeezing your chest.
- After a brief pause at the top contracted position, you can begin to lower yourself downward again for as many repetitions as needed.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: lying face down, not standing
10. Push Up On Bosu Ball
90% match- Pectorals
- Stability-ball
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Place the bosu ball on the ground with the flat side facing up.
- Position yourself in a push-up position with your hands on the outer edges of the bosu ball.
- Engage your core and lower your body down towards the bosu ball by bending your elbows.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Modified Hindu Push-up
- Body position: lying face down, not standing
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Modified Hindu Push-up
Why You Might Need a Modified Hindu Push-up Alternative
You may substitute the Modified Hindu Push-up due to shoulder pain, limited mobility, or a need to scale intensity for progressive overload. The Hindu pattern emphasizes scapular protraction and deep horizontal adduction; if you feel impingement, switch to incline variations to reduce peak shoulder flexion. For unilateral strength or to correct imbalances, choose archer or single-arm progressions to increase pectoral loading while keeping the elbow at about 45 degrees. For mobility work, use the dive bomber with a smooth hip hinge to preserve thoracic extension and reduce stress on the glenohumeral joint. Each swap alters the moment arm and muscle activation profile, so pick the variant that preserves chest stimulus without compromising joint mechanics.
Modified Hindu Push-up FAQ
What muscles does Modified Hindu Push-up (male) work?
It primarily targets the pectoralis major (sternal and clavicular heads), anterior deltoids, and triceps while engaging the serratus anterior through scapular protraction. Keep hips low and drive through the palms to emphasize chest loading and maintain thoracic extension for proper biomechanics.
What is the best bodyweight alternative to Modified Hindu Push-up (male)?
The Dive Bomber (traditional Hindu push-up) is the closest bodyweight alternative because it preserves the dynamic shoulder travel and horizontal adduction pattern. Cue to lead with the chest, maintain a long thoracic spine, and push through your palms to bias pec activation while protecting the shoulders.
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