Exercise Library

Push-Up (floor)

Upper Bodycompound

45

/100

moderate (0.72)
Decision Guide

Best when...

  • 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 cannot leave your desk area or need something very office-subtle.
  • You want a nearly effortless reset that will not elevate breathing much.
  • You are in a crowded office or tight workspace.

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 Seated March are easier alternatives when office clothes or limited space make this awkward.

Movement Profile
Muscular Demand
36measured

Compound movement primarily engaging pectorals, deltoids, triceps

Metabolic Cost
62measured

MET 3.8 (measured), 1.1x walking

Mobility Value
58modeled

Joint ROM: 60%, posture benefit: 55%

Desk Practicality
30modeled

Requires open floor space

Muscle Activations

pectorals

75%measured

triceps

65%measured

deltoids

50%measured

rectus abdominis

35%derived
Energy Estimate
~1.9kcal

for 10 reps · roughly 0.5 min of brisk walking for a 70 kg person

Score by Rep Count

45

5 reps

45

10 reps

45

15 reps

45

20 reps

45

30 reps

Push-Up (floor) scores 45/100, strongest in metabolic cost. Needs open space.

Caveats
  • Metabolic cost varies with body weight and fitness level
  • mobility value, desk practicality are estimated, not directly measured
Data Provenance

Measured (4)

  • MET value
  • pectorals activation
  • triceps activation
  • deltoids activation

Derived (2)

  • rectus abdominis activation
  • caloric expenditure

Modeled (3)

  • joint ROM
  • posture correction
  • desk practicality
References

Estimating energy expenditure during bodyweight resistance exercise

Journal of Sports Sciences (2019)

MET values specific to bodyweight resistance exercises at various intensities