Best Beginner Push Day Workouts To Power Lift
About
Power Lifting is centered around the Bench Press, Back Squat, and Deadlift.
These exercises aim to enhance maximal strength via targeted strength training.
Beginner routines utilize simpler movements and reduced weights, tailored for individuals with less than one year of experience.
Push Day focuses on pushing movement patterns, emphasizing exercises like the bench press and shoulder press, which target the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
Combining these elements, this Push Day Power Lift routine is ideal for newcomers to powerlifting, providing challenging yet approachable workouts with a focus on PPL methodologies.
The 15 Best Beginner Push Day Exercises to Power Lift
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Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More
1. Dumbbell Bench Press
Dumbbell Bench Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED8,452,674Chest Strength99 mScoreChest
Dumbbells
Flat BenchThe Dumbbell Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Using dumbbells helps improve stability and ensures both sides of the body work equally without compensating for weaknesses.
How to do it
- Lie back on a bench, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Place your feet flat on the ground, under your knees.
- Hold the dumbbells outside shoulder-width apart, above your chest.
- Keep your elbows at a 45-degree angle and engage your core.
- Extend your arms fully and then lower the dumbbells back to starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps20lbs28reps20lbs38reps20lbs2. Dumbbell Fly
Dumbbell Fly demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED6,618,981Chest Strength98 mScoreChest
Dumbbells
Flat BenchThe Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening and building the chest muscles. It also engages the shoulders for support. This exercise helps to develop muscle balance by working each side of the body independently.
How to do it
- Lie on your back on a bench, squeezing your shoulder blades together and keeping your feet flat on the ground.
- Ensure the bench supports your head, shoulders, and buttocks.
- Hold the dumbbells above your shoulders with palms facing inward and elbows slightly bent.
- Engage your core and slowly lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- When the dumbbells are level with your chest, exhale and lift them back to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps17.5lbs28reps17.5lbs38reps17.5lbs3. Dip
Dip demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED2,690,853Triceps Strength92 mScoreTriceps
Dip (Parallel) BarDips are a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the triceps. You lift and lower your body using your arms while keeping your core engaged.
How to do it
- Hold onto the dip bars with straight arms and slightly bent elbows.
- Suspended above the ground, brace your core and keep your back straight.
- Lean your body forward slightly and pull your elbows down to lower yourself.
- Keep your elbows close to your sides until they reach a 90-degree angle.
- Push back up to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight16reps26reps36reps4. Dumbbell Skullcrusher
Dumbbell Skullcrusher demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED5,879,914Triceps Strength98 mScoreTriceps
Dumbbells
Flat BenchThe Dumbbell Skullcrusher is a great exercise for strengthening your triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure both arms work equally and adds a challenge to your stability.
How to do it
- Lie on your back on a bench with your shoulder blades squeezed together and feet flat on the floor.
- Ensure the bench supports your head, shoulders, and hips.
- Hold dumbbells above your shoulders with palms facing each other and elbows slightly bent.
- Engage your core and lower the dumbbells behind your head by bending your elbows, keeping your upper arms stable.
- When the dumbbells are just above your forehead, exhale and lift them back to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps17.5lbs28reps17.5lbs38reps17.5lbs5. Skullcrusher
Skullcrusher demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED2,594,390Triceps Strength97 mScoreTriceps
EZ Bar
Flat BenchSkullcrushers are a triceps exercise performed while lying on a bench. This movement focuses on isolating the triceps and can be done with an EZ-Bar for better grip and stability.
How to do it
- Lie back on a bench, keeping your shoulder blades squeezed and your heels flat on the ground.
- Ensure the bench supports your head, shoulders, and buttocks at all times.
- Hold the EZ-Bar above your shoulders with hands shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your upper arms still and bend your elbows to lower the bar just above your forehead.
- Exhale as you extend your arms to lift the bar back to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps25lbs28reps25lbs38reps25lbs6. Dumbbell Back Fly
Dumbbell Back Fly demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED1,248,270Shoulders Strength97 mScoreShoulders
Dumbbells
Incline BenchThe Dumbbell Back Fly targets the back of your shoulders while providing stability from an incline bench. This exercise helps strengthen your posterior deltoid by isolating the muscle effectively.
How to do it
- Grab a pair of dumbbells.
- Lie chest-down on an incline bench with your knees slightly bent.
- Hold the dumbbells in front of your shoulders, palms facing forward.
- Keep your elbows slightly bent and back straight.
- Lift the dumbbells out to the sides until shoulder height, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Lower the dumbbells back to the starting position slowly.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps15lbs28reps15lbs38reps15lbs7. Dumbbell Front Raise
Dumbbell Front Raise demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED5,823,163Shoulders Strength98 mScoreShoulders
DumbbellsThe Dumbbell Front Raise is an exercise that strengthens the front part of your shoulders. It helps build muscle and balance strength between both sides of your body using dumbbells.
How to do it
- Stand upright holding a dumbbell in each hand at waist height, palms facing inward.
- Keep your arms slightly bent and lift the dumbbells in front of you to just above shoulder height.
- Lower the dumbbells back to waist height, maintaining a neutral back.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps12.5lbs28reps12.5lbs38reps12.5lbs8. Dumbbell Shoulder Press
Dumbbell Shoulder Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED6,772,064Shoulders Strength99 mScoreShoulders
Dumbbells
Flat BenchThe Dumbbell Shoulder Press is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the shoulders. Using dumbbells helps engage stabilizing muscles and can improve balance between both sides of the body.
How to do it
- Sit on a bench with your back straight.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand, just outside shoulder-width, palms facing forward.
- Bend your elbows and keep them close to your sides.
- Press the dumbbells overhead until your arms are fully extended, keeping your wrists straight.
- Lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps20lbs28reps20lbs38reps20lbs9. Dumbbell Shoulder Raise
Dumbbell Shoulder Raise demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED3,935,648Shoulders Strength98 mScoreShoulders
DumbbellsThe Dumbbell Shoulder Raise is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the middle part of your shoulders. It helps improve muscle balance and can enhance shoulder strength by using dumbbells.
How to do it
- Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing in at your hips.
- Tighten your core by breathing deeply and engaging your abs.
- With a slight bend in your elbows, raise the dumbbells to the sides until they reach shoulder height.
- Lower the dumbbells back to the starting position in a controlled manner.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps12.5lbs28reps12.5lbs38reps12.5lbs10. Hand Release Push Up
Hand Release Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED806,763Chest Strength94 mScoreChestThe Hand Release Push Up is a modified version of the standard push up that helps improve your strength by ensuring full range of motion. By lifting your hands off the ground at the bottom of the movement, you engage your muscles more effectively during the exercise.
How to do it
- Lie on the floor face down.
- Position your hands in line with your chest, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your legs straight and your toes pointed down.
- Engage your core to maintain a straight line from head to heels.
- Bend your elbows and lower your chest to the floor.
- Lift your hands off the ground for a moment, then place them back down.
- Push your body back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
Sets, Reps, Weight16reps26reps36reps11. Seated Tricep Press
Seated Tricep Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED4,537,026Triceps Strength98 mScoreTriceps
DumbbellsThe Seated Tricep Press is an exercise that strengthens your triceps by using a dumbbell. It helps improve your range of motion by pressing the weight overhead, adding variety to your workouts.
How to do it
- Sit upright on a bench with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold a dumbbell vertically at chest height with palms facing up.
- Brace your core and press the dumbbell overhead, keeping elbows forward.
- Lower the dumbbell behind your head until your forearms touch your biceps.
- Lift the dumbbell back to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps20lbs28reps20lbs38reps20lbs12. Push Up on Knees
Push Up on Knees demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED2,002,263Chest Strength86 mScoreChestPush Up on Knees is an easier version of the regular Push Up, suitable for beginners. It works your chest, shoulders, and triceps while helping you build strength to eventually do full Push Ups.
How to do it
- Start on your knees with your hands on the floor under your shoulders.
- Keep your body straight from your shoulders to your knees.
- Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows at about a 45-degree angle.
- Push back up to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps28reps38reps13. Incline Dumbbell Squeeze Press
Incline Dumbbell Squeeze Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED712,970Chest Strength79 mScoreChest
Incline Bench
DumbbellsThe Incline Dumbbell Squeeze Press is a great exercise to strengthen your upper chest, shoulders, and triceps. By using an incline bench and squeezing the dumbbells, you can effectively work your muscles while maintaining tension in your chest.
How to do it
- Set the bench to a 45-degree incline.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing in, resting them on your chest.
- Press the dumbbells together as you extend your arms above your chest.
- Squeeze the dumbbells as you lower them back to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps20lbs28reps20lbs38reps20lbs14. Dumbbell Squeeze Press
Dumbbell Squeeze Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED1,242,901Chest Strength90 mScoreChest
Flat Bench
DumbbellsThe Dumbbell Squeeze Press is an exercise that mainly works your chest, shoulders, and triceps. By pressing the dumbbells together, you keep constant tension on your chest, making it effective without needing extra equipment.
How to do it
- Lie flat on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing in, resting on your chest.
- Press the dumbbells together and raise them above your chest, extending your arms.
- Keep pressing the dumbbells together as you lower them back to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps20lbs28reps20lbs38reps20lbs15. Standing Single Arm Dumbbell Shoulder Press
Standing Single Arm Dumbbell Shoulder Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED135,459Shoulders Strength86 mScoreShoulders
DumbbellsThe Standing Single Arm Dumbbell Shoulder Press works your shoulder muscles and helps improve stability by focusing on one side at a time. This standing exercise also engages your core for better posture and balance.
How to do it
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and slightly bend your knees.
- Hold a dumbbell in one hand at head level, palm facing forward.
- Engage your core and keep your back straight.
- Press the dumbbell overhead using your shoulder muscle.
- Optionally, place your opposite hand on your hip for stability.
- Pause at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.
- Complete the desired number of reps, then switch sides and repeat.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps20lbs28reps20lbs38reps20lbs
Alternative Workouts
Alternative Beginner Push Day Workouts
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Garage Gym
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Smith Machine
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Weight Machines
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts To Build Strength
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts For Men
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Barbells
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts To Olympic Lift
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Dumbbells
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Cable Machines
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Bodyweight
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Flat Bench
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Resistance Bands
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts For Women
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts To Get Lean And Burn Fat
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Trx
- Best Beginner Push Day Workouts To Build Muscle Mass
Alternative Beginner Workouts to Power Lift
- Best Beginner Chest And Back Workouts To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Pull Day Workouts To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Workouts With Dumbbells To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Quadriceps Workouts To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Workouts To Power Lift For Women
- Best Beginner Workouts With Barbells To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Workouts With Garage Gym To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Chest Workouts To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Workouts To Power Lift For Men
- Best Beginner Hamstrings Workouts To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Chest And Tricep Workouts To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Legs Workouts To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Full Body Workouts To Power Lift
- Best Beginner Upper Body Workouts To Power Lift





