Chest · Bodyweight
Rotational Push-up
How to do the rotational push-up, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Reps
- Movement
- HorizontalPush
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Start in a high plank with hands under your shoulders. Lower into a push-up, then as you press back up, rotate your torso to one side and reach that arm toward the ceiling into a side plank. Return the hand to the floor and repeat, alternating sides each rep.
- 1Feel your chest, shoulders, and triceps drive the push-up
- 2Feel your obliques and core control the rotation as you open to the ceiling
- 3Keep your hips level and body in one line through the turn
Common mistakes
- Do not let your hips sag or pike as you rotate
- Avoid rushing the turn; control the open and the return
- Do not flare your elbows wide on the push-up portion
Muscles worked
The rotational push-up mainly works the mid chest and obliques, with the triceps, lower chest, lower abs, front delts, upper chest, upper abs, and side delts assisting.
- Mid ChestPrimary
- ObliquesPrimary
- TricepsSupport
- Lower ChestSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- Front DeltsSupport
- Upper ChestSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- Side DeltsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- Lower BackMinor
- GlutesMinor
Kovo programs the rotational 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 June 2026.