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Best Chest Workouts With Bodyweight To Build Strength

About

This workout focuses on chest muscle development using bodyweight exercises to enhance overall strength.

Bodyweight exercises utilize your own mass for resistance, eliminating the need for additional equipment and promoting functional movements.

Targeting the pectoral muscles, this routine incorporates pressing motions and shoulder adduction movements to train the primary functional patterns of the chest.

By emphasizing higher repetitions with controlled form, this workout is tailored for individuals aiming to improve their strength sustainably and effectively.

The 6 Best Chest Exercises with Bodyweight to Build Strength

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Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Push Up

    Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    5,895,818
    Chest Strength
    95 mScore
    Chest

    Push ups are a simple and effective exercise for strengthening your upper body using just your body weight. They are easy to do anywhere and are great for beginners and advanced exercisers alike.

    How to do it

    1. Start with your hands on the floor, slightly wider than your shoulders.
    2. Keep your body straight, with your core engaged and hips extended.
    3. Bend your elbows, lowering your chest towards the floor at a 45-degree angle with your arms.
    4. Push back up to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 2. Tricep Push Up

    Tricep Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    2,257,713
    Chest Strength
    69 mScore
    Chest

    The Tricep Push Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your chest, triceps, and shoulders. By keeping your elbows close to your sides, you emphasize the tricep muscles more than regular push ups.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down with your legs straight and hands below your chest, elbows tucked in.
    2. Push up by straightening your arms, keeping your body in a straight line from head to heels.
    3. Lower your chest back down by bending your elbows.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 3. Hand Release Push Up

    Hand Release Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    806,763
    Chest Strength
    94 mScore
    Chest

    The 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

    1. Lie on the floor face down.
    2. Position your hands in line with your chest, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    3. Keep your legs straight and your toes pointed down.
    4. Engage your core to maintain a straight line from head to heels.
    5. Bend your elbows and lower your chest to the floor.
    6. Lift your hands off the ground for a moment, then place them back down.
    7. Push your body back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 4. Push Up on Knees

    Push Up on Knees demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    2,002,263
    Chest Strength
    86 mScore
    Chest

    Push 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

    1. Start on your knees with your hands on the floor under your shoulders.
    2. Keep your body straight from your shoulders to your knees.
    3. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows at about a 45-degree angle.
    4. Push back up to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 5. Rotation Push Up

    Rotation Push Up demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    424,054
    Chest Strength
    69 mScore
    Chest

    The Rotation Push Up adds a twist to the regular push-up, working your chest, shoulders, and side muscles (obliques). This exercise improves core strength and stability while making your workout more functional.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down with your legs straight and hands on the ground beside your chest.
    2. Push up until your body forms a straight line from head to heels.
    3. Shift your weight to your right arm and lift your left arm up towards the ceiling.
    4. Lower your left arm back to the ground and do a push-up.
    5. Switch sides and repeat.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 6. Svend Press

    Svend Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    406,647
    Chest Strength
    90 mScore
    Chest

    The Svend Press is an exercise that strengthens the chest, shoulders, and triceps by pressing two plates together. It helps activate the chest muscles more effectively, making it a valuable addition to your chest workout.

    How to do it

    1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Hold two light barbell plates together with both hands at chest height.
    3. Press the plates together and push them forward in front of your chest.
    4. Return to the starting position by bending your elbows and keeping the plates pressed.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Workouts with Bodyweight to Build Strength

Alternative Chest Workouts to Build Strength

Alternative Chest Workouts with Bodyweight