Chest · Bodyweight
Clap Push-up
How to do the clap push-up, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Horizontal Press
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Start in a plank position with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width. Bend your elbows to lower your chest toward the floor while keeping your body straight. Press back up to the starting position.
- 1Feel your chest, triceps, and shoulders generate explosive power to lift your hands off the ground
- 2Engage your core and glutes to keep your body straight during takeoff and landing
- 3Land softly and absorb the impact through your arms
Common mistakes
- Avoid letting your lower back sag or hips drop
- Don't flare your elbows too wide; keep them at a moderate angle
- Avoid collapsing on landing; control your descent after the clap
Muscles worked
The clap push-up mainly works the mid chest, with the triceps, upper chest, lower chest, upper abs, and front delts assisting.
- Mid ChestPrimary
- TricepsSupport
- Upper ChestSupport
- Lower ChestSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- Front DeltsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- Lower AbsMinor
- ObliquesMinor
Kovo programs the clap push-up for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More chest exercises
- How to do the archer push-up
- How to do the assisted dip
- How to do the resistance band chest flyes
- How to do the resistance band push-up
- How to do the barbell bench press
- How to do the paused bench press
Last reviewed April 2026.