10 Best Return Push From Stance Alternatives for Shoulder Strength

The Return Push From Stance is done standing with a medicine ball. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Left Hook. Boxing.

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

Original Exercise: Return Push From Stance

Return Push From Stance
Primary muscle
Delts
Equipment
Medicine-ball
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Chest, Triceps

How to perform Return Push From Stance
  1. You will need a partner for this drill.
  2. Begin in an athletic 2 or 3 point stance.
  3. At the signal, move into a position to receive the pass from your partner.
  4. Catch the medicine ball with both hands and immediately throw it back to your partner.
  5. You can modify this drill by running different routes.
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Ranked Return Push From Stance Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Return Push From Stance 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.

  1. Best match
    Left Hook. BoxingPlay demonstration

    1. Left Hook. Boxing

    80% match
    • Delts
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    Pick this when you want to work the delts one side at a time.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
    2. Keep your left hand up to protect your face and your right hand by your chin.
    3. Rotate your hips and pivot on your left foot as you extend your left arm forward in a punching motion.
    4. Twist your torso and engage your core muscles to generate power in the punch.
    5. Snap your arm back to the starting position and 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: delts, the same as the Return Push From Stance
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Return Push From Stance
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Return Push From Stance
  2. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)Play demonstration

    2. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)

    66% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the delts.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge of the bench, fingers pointing forward.
    2. Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
    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: triceps, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Return Push From Stance
  3. Modified Hindu Push-upPlay demonstration

    3. Modified Hindu Push-up

    66% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the pectorals rather than the delts.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Lower your body towards the ground, bending your elbows and keeping your core engaged.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    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, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Return Push From Stance
  4. Chest Tap Push-upPlay demonstration

    4. Chest Tap Push-up

    61% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    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.
    2. Lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    3. As you lower yourself, tap your chest with your right hand.
    4. Push yourself back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat the movement, this time tapping your chest with your left hand.
    6. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
  5. Clap Push UpPlay demonstration

    5. Clap Push Up

    60% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • 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 body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your core engaged.
    3. Push through your palms explosively to propel your body off the ground.
    4. While in mid-air, clap your hands together before landing back in the starting position.
    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, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
  6. Full Planche Push-upPlay demonstration

    6. Full Planche Push-up

    60% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Engage your core and lower your body down towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
    3. As you lower yourself, lean your body forward and lift your feet off the ground, balancing on your hands.
    4. Continue to lower your body until your chest is just above the ground.
    5. Push through your hands and extend your arms to lift your body back up to the starting position.
    6. Maintain a straight line from your head to your heels throughout the movement.
    7. 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, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Return Push From Stance
  7. Triceps DipPlay demonstration

    7. Triceps Dip

    60% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge, fingers pointing forward.
    2. Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
    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: triceps, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Return Push From Stance
  8. Plyo Push-up

    8. Plyo Push-up

    60% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Move into a prone position on the floor, supporting your weight on your hands and toes.
    2. Your arms should be fully extended with the hands around shoulder width. Keep your body straight throughout the movement. This will be your starting position.
    3. Descend by flexing at the elbow, lowering your chest towards the ground.
    4. At the bottom, reverse the motion by pushing yourself up through elbow extension as quickly as possible. Attempt to push your upper body up until your hands leave the ground.
    5. Return to the starting position and repeat the exercise.
    6. For added difficulty, add claps into the movement while you are air borne.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
  9. Spider Crawl Push UpPlay demonstration

    9. Spider Crawl Push Up

    59% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • 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. Bring your right knee towards your right elbow, keeping it off the ground.
    3. As you bring your right knee back, simultaneously lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows.
    4. Push back up to the starting position and repeat with your left knee towards your left elbow.
    5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Return Push From Stance
  10. Body-upPlay demonstration

    10. Body-up

    58% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by placing your hands on a raised surface, such as a bench or parallel bars, with your palms facing down and fingers pointing forward.
    2. Extend your legs out in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground and your body straight.
    3. Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides, until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
    4. Pause for a moment, then push through your palms to straighten your arms and lift your body back up to the starting position.
    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: triceps, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing

Return Push From Stance FAQ

What muscles does Return Push From Stance work?

Return Push From Stance primarily targets the anterior and medial deltoids while recruiting the triceps and serratus anterior for scapular control. Your core and lower body stabilize the stance, and the movement combines horizontal and vertical push mechanics, so cue scapular protraction on the concentric to maximize deltoid drive.

Can I build muscle without doing Return Push From Stance?

Yes, you can hypertrophy the delts with many other presses, raises, and throwing variations that preserve mechanical tension and progressive overload. Use controlled eccentrics (2–3 seconds), full range of motion, and exercises like dumbbell presses, landmine presses, and medicine-ball throws while cueing consistent scapular control to target the deltoids effectively.

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