Incline Push Up Medium

Put your paws on a sturdy log or bench and do a friendly push-up climb. The incline makes it easier than floor push-ups, so you can practice strong, smooth reps. Keep your belly tight like you are protecting a honey pot, and press the ground away with proud bear power.

Instructions

1. Place hands on a stable elevated surface (bench, box, or countertop), slightly wider than shoulder-width.
2. Walk feet back until your body forms a straight line from head to heels.
3. Brace your core and squeeze glutes to keep hips from sagging.
4. Lower your chest toward the edge of the surface by bending elbows, keeping elbows about 30 to 60 degrees from your torso.
5. Pause briefly near the bottom without collapsing the shoulders.
6. Press through your palms to return to the start, fully extending elbows without locking aggressively.
7. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

Benefits

• Builds pushing strength for chest, shoulders, and triceps
• Improves core bracing and full-body tension
• Easier progression toward standard floor push-ups
• Low equipment requirement and easy to scale
• Reinforces shoulder stability and scapular control

Key Points

• Maintain a straight line from head to heels; avoid sagging or piking.
• Keep shoulders down and back; do not shrug toward ears.
• Control the descent and press up smoothly.
• Choose an incline height that allows full range of motion with good form.
• Keep wrists stacked under shoulders and hands firmly planted.

Common Mistakes

• Letting hips sag or piking the hips up
• Flaring elbows straight out to the sides
• Bouncing off the surface or using partial range of motion
• Shrugging shoulders toward the ears
• Hands placed too far forward, stressing shoulders
• Dropping the head or craning the neck