Appears in642 Workouts*

Bird Dog Push-Up

The Bird Dog Push-Up mainly works the chest, triceps and core, with help from the glutes & hips and lower back. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.

Liney Bezuidenhout
Liney Bezuidenhout
@Liney Bezuidenhout

Optional Equipment

Yoga Mat
Yoga Mat

Bird Dog Push-Up Muscles Worked

Primary

Chest (pectoralis major, sternal head); Triceps (triceps brachii); Abdominals (rectus abdominis)

Secondary

Glutes (gluteus maximus); Spinal Erectors (erector spinae)

How to do the Bird Dog Push-Up

Setup

  • Begin in a tabletop position on your hands and knees.

Movement

  1. From the tabletop position, extend your opposite arm forward and your opposite leg straight back, balancing in a traditional bird dog position.

  2. While maintaining this balanced position, perform a push-up by lowering your chest toward the floor by bending your elbows.

  3. Push back up to the starting extended position, maintaining core engagement throughout the entire range of motion.

  4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed number of repetitions, then switch the opposite arm and leg position for the next set.

Bird Dog Push-Up FAQs

What muscles does the Bird Dog Push-Up work?

The Bird Dog Push-Up mainly works the chest, triceps and core, with help from the glutes & hips and lower back. The main muscles are the pectoralis major, triceps brachii and rectus abdominis.

What equipment do you need for the Bird Dog Push-Up?

None. The Bird Dog Push-Up is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.

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