Desk Push-Up
50
/100
Best when...
- You need something you can do near your desk without much setup.
- Your energy is dipping and you want a more activating break.
- You only have about a minute between tasks or meetings.
Not ideal when...
- You want a nearly effortless reset that will not elevate breathing much.
Pairs well with...
a short walk or lower-body movement after a long typing block
Better than X when...
Longer break routines when you only have 60 seconds and need immediate value.
Office-clothes alternative
Sit-to-Stand or Wall Push-Up are easy alternatives when you want something even more office-friendly.
Compound movement primarily engaging pectorals, deltoids, triceps
MET 3.8 (derived), 1.1x walking
Joint ROM: 55%, posture benefit: 55%
Can be performed at or near a desk
pectorals
triceps
deltoids
rectus abdominis
for 10 reps · roughly 0.5 min of brisk walking for a 70 kg person
50
5 reps
50
10 reps
50
15 reps
50
20 reps
50
30 reps
“Desk Push-Up scores 50/100, strongest in metabolic cost. Suitable for a desk break.”
- Metabolic cost varies with body weight and fitness level
- mobility value, desk practicality are estimated, not directly measured
Measured (0)
Derived (5)
- MET value
- pectorals activation
- triceps activation
- deltoids activation
- caloric expenditure
Modeled (4)
- rectus abdominis activation
- joint ROM
- posture correction
- desk practicality
Estimating energy expenditure during bodyweight resistance exercise
Journal of Sports Sciences (2019)
MET values specific to bodyweight resistance exercises at various intensities