Pike push-up
A push-up variation with hips high that shifts the emphasis onto the shoulders.
Overview
The pike push-up is a bodyweight pressing exercise that shifts emphasis toward the shoulders. From a downward-facing position with hips high and body in an inverted V, you bend your elbows to lower the top of your head toward the floor, then press back up.
The high-hip angle means you press more of your bodyweight in a near-vertical line, which is why it is often used as a step toward overhead pressing strength. It is usually introduced once standard push-ups feel comfortable.
The movement
- 1Start in a push-up position, then walk your feet in and lift your hips into an inverted V.
- 2Bend your elbows to lower the top of your head toward the floor.
- 3Keep your hips high throughout the movement.
- 4Press back up until your arms are straight.
Beginner notes
- The higher you pike the hips, the more the shoulders take on.
- Often used as a stepping stone toward overhead pressing.
- Usually introduced after standard push-ups feel comfortable.
A note on training information
Where it’s used
Sports this relates to:
Calisthenics
Bodyweight strength training — push-ups, pull-ups, dips and progressions you can do almost anywhere.
Fitness
Strength and general fitness training — the foundation that supports every other sport.
Functional Fitness
Varied, whole-body training built around everyday movement patterns like squatting, lifting and carrying.
Related exercises
Squat
A foundational lower-body movement where you bend at the hips and knees to lower down and stand back up.
Goblet squat
A squat variation where you hold a single weight close to your chest for balance and control.
Jump squat
An explosive squat variation where you spring off the floor at the top of the movement.
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Movement patterns
- PushPressing a load or the body away from the torso — horizontally or overhead — by extending the shoulders and elbows, developing the chest, shoulders and triceps.
- LungeA split-stance, single-leg-emphasis pattern: stepping or dropping into a staggered stance and pushing back up to build single-leg strength, balance and stability.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Exercise
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-07-06
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