Shoulders · Bodyweight
Handstand Push-up
How to do the handstand 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
- Vertical 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 shoulders, triceps, and core pressing your body up and down in a handstand
- 2Keep your body tight and legs together for balance
- 3Lower until your head gently touches the ground and press back up
Common mistakes
- Avoid arching your back or flaring your elbows
- Don't kick off the wall violently; use controlled movements
- Avoid collapsing at the bottom; maintain tension
Muscles worked
The handstand push-up mainly works the front delts, triceps, forearms, upper abs, and side delts, with the lower abs, upper chest, upper traps, and obliques assisting.
- Front DeltsPrimary
- TricepsPrimary
- ForearmsPrimary
- Upper AbsPrimary
- Side DeltsPrimary
- Lower AbsSupport
- Upper ChestSupport
- Upper TrapsSupport
- ObliquesSupport
- Lower TrapsMinor
Kovo programs the handstand 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 shoulders exercises
- How to do the battle rope alternating waves
- How to do the arm circles
- How to do the arnold press
- How to do the resistance band front raise
- How to do the resistance band lateral raise
- How to do the resistance band overhead press
Last reviewed April 2026.