Chest · Bodyweight
Half Push-up Max Rep
How to do the half push-up max rep, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Reps
- Movement
- HorizontalPush
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Set up in a standard push-up position with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders and your body in a straight line. Lower only halfway down, stopping when your upper arms are roughly parallel to the floor, then press back up. Repeat for as many reps as possible while keeping form tight.
- 1Feel your chest and triceps drive you back up
- 2Keep your core braced so your body stays rigid
- 3Squeeze your chest at the top of each rep
Common mistakes
- Don't let your hips sag toward the floor
- Avoid flaring your elbows out wide
- Don't let your head drop; keep your neck neutral
Muscles worked
The half push-up max rep mainly works the mid chest and triceps, with the upper chest, front delts, lower chest, and upper abs assisting.
- Mid ChestPrimary
- TricepsPrimary
- Upper ChestSupport
- Front DeltsSupport
- Lower ChestSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- Lower AbsMinor
- ObliquesMinor
- GlutesMinor
Kovo programs the half push-up max rep 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 June 2026.