Sphinx Push-ups

Start in forearm plank, elbows under shoulders. Press palms into floor to extend elbows into a straight-arm plank, keeping body in one line and elbows tucked; lower back with control. Builds triceps strength and core stability.

Muscles worked

Primary
Secondary

Equipment

Sphinx Push-ups exercise demonstration

How to do it

  1. Set your hands under the shoulders in a high plank with feet about hip-width.
  2. Brace the core and keep the ribs stacked over the pelvis.
  3. Lower by bending the elbows until the forearms rest on the floor.
  4. Stop with elbows under the shoulders in a sphinx position.
  5. Press back up by extending the elbows to the high plank.
  6. Finish each rep with the triceps, not a shrug.

Watch for

  • Shoulders rolling forward at the bottom.
  • Elbows flaring wide under fatigue.
  • Using the hips to bounce out of the bottom.

Breathing

Inhale as you lower, exhale as you press up.

Tip

Use a shorter range before adding depth if the front of the shoulder feels pinched.

Track this exercise in the SmartReps app

Log sets, reps and weight, and let the AI coach plan your progression — free on iOS and Android.

Log this exercise in SmartReps

Related exercises