During a push-up, which muscles are primarily being worked?

The primary muscles being targeted during a push-up are the Pectoralis Major and the Triceps Brachii. The Pectoralis Major is the largest muscle in the chest and is heavily engaged during the pushing motion, helping to lift the body upwards as you push away from the ground. The Triceps Brachii, located on the back of the upper arm, plays a crucial role in extending the elbows, which is necessary for the pushing action of the push-up.

This combination effectively promotes chest strength and arm development, making the push-up a popular exercise for enhancing upper body muscular endurance and strength. The involvement of these muscle groups is fundamental to executing the push-up correctly and efficiently.