10 Best Push-up Inside Leg Kick Alternatives for Home Workouts

The Push-up Inside Leg Kick is done lying face down. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Push Up To Side Plank, the Shoulder Tap Push-up and the Push-up (Bosu Ball). Two harder versions, the Archer Push Up and the Single-arm Push-up, are listed below as progressions rather than swaps.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Push-up Inside Leg Kick

Primary muscle
Pectorals
Equipment
Bodyweight
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Calves, Core

How to perform Push-up Inside Leg Kick
  1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
  2. Lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
  3. As you push back up, lift one leg off the ground and kick it out to the side, keeping it straight.
  4. Lower your leg back down and repeat the push-up, then switch to the other leg.
  5. Continue alternating leg kicks with each push-up repetition.
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Ranked Push-up Inside Leg Kick Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Push-up Inside Leg Kick 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. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    The same equipment, taken with a neutral grip.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. 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.
    2. Lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    3. As you push back up, lift your right hand off the ground and tap your left shoulder.
    4. Return your right hand to the ground and repeat the push-up, this time lifting your left hand and tapping your right shoulder.
    5. Continue alternating shoulder taps with each push-up repetition.
    6. Maintain a stable core and avoid excessive hip rotation throughout the exercise.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
  1. Progression

    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the pectorals.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend one arm straight out to the side, parallel to the ground.
    3. Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
    4. Push back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat on the other side, extending the opposite arm out to the side.
    6. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Pectorals
    • Stability-ball
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A good swap when you have a stability ball to work with, and it still works the pectorals.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place the bosu ball on the ground with the flat side facing up.
    2. Position yourself in a push-up position with your hands on the outer edges of the bosu ball.
    3. Engage your core and lower your body down towards the bosu ball by bending your elbows.
    4. Push yourself back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
    5. 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 Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
  2. Push-ups With Feet On An Exercise Ball
    • Pectorals
    • Stability-ball
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie on the floor face down and place your hands about 36 inches apart from each other holding your torso up at arms length.
    2. Place your toes on top of an exercise ball. This will allow your body to be elevated.
    3. Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
    4. Using your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position and squeeze your chest. Breathe out as you perform this step.
    5. After a second pause at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Pectorals
    • Stability-ball
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place the bosu ball on the ground with the flat side facing up.
    2. Position yourself in a push-up position with your hands on the outer edges of the bosu ball.
    3. Engage your core and lower your body down towards the bosu ball by bending your elbows.
    4. Push yourself back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
    5. 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 Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Pectorals
    • Stability-ball
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place the stability ball on the ground and position yourself facing down with your hands on the ball, shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs straight out behind you, balancing on your toes.
    3. Engage your core and lower your chest towards the ball by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. 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 Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
  3. Single-arm Push-up

    Progression

    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Begin laying prone on the ground. Move yourself into a position supporting your weight on your toes and one arm. Your working arm should be placed directly under the shoulder, fully extended. Your legs should be extended, and for this movement you may need a wider base, placing your feet further apart than in a normal push-up.
    2. Maintain good posture, and place your free hand behind your back. This will be your starting position.
    3. Lower yourself by allowing the elbow to flex until you touch the ground.
    4. Descend slowly, and reverse direction be extending the arm to return to the starting position.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Lower your chest towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your body.
    3. Once your chest is just above the ground, quickly drop your knees to the ground.
    4. Push yourself back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
    5. 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 Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
    2. Engage your core and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, forming an inverted V shape with your body.
    3. Lower your upper body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
    4. As you lower down, shift your weight forward and transition into a cobra pose by straightening your arms and lifting your chest up.
    5. Reverse the movement by bending your elbows and lowering your chest back down towards the ground.
    6. Push through your hands to return to the inverted V position.
    7. Continue the movement by lowering your hips back down towards the ground, returning to the starting push-up position.
    8. 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 Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Push-up Inside Leg Kick
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Push-up Inside Leg Kick

Why You Might Need a Push-up Inside Leg Kick Alternative

You may substitute the Push-up Inside Leg Kick for several reasons: shoulder discomfort from the rotational load, limited hip mobility for the leg kick, balance deficits, or lack of progressions. Replacing it preserves the horizontal-adduction pattern that loads the pectoralis major while reducing destabilizing rotation. Choose movements that limit scapular winging (cue: pack the shoulder blades) and keep elbows tucked ~45° to the torso to shift load to the chest instead of overloading the anterior deltoid. For rehab or strength focus, opt for controlled tempo and reduced ROM; for hypertrophy, increase time under tension and reps.

Push-up Inside Leg Kick FAQ

What muscles does Push-up Inside Leg Kick work?

The exercise primarily targets the pectoralis major through horizontal adduction while the serratus anterior and triceps assist. The leg kick adds anti-rotation demand that engages obliques and glutes for stability; cue core bracing to transmit force between upper and lower body.

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