What is a press up?

In everyday fitness language, a press up is the same movement many people call a push up: a plank-based upper-body exercise where you bend the elbows, lower the body under control, and press the floor away to return to the starting position. In the UK and some other regions, “press-up” is the common term; in the US, “push-up” is more common.

However, in physical therapy, a press-up may also refer to a prone back-extension movement, often used in McKenzie-style rehab for some types of low back pain. That version is not the same as a push-up and should be used only when it fits your program and symptoms.

What is a push up?

A push up is a classic bodyweight strength exercise that targets the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core while also training full-body stiffness and control. It can be done on the toes, on the knees, elevated on a bench or wall, or with tempo changes to make it easier or harder.

For general fitness, push-ups are one of the most useful no-equipment upper-body exercises because they’re scalable, easy to test, and easy to program. If you want help tracking reps or checking whether your form is consistent, an app like Fitnit can use your phone camera to count reps and analyze technique during at-home workouts.

Press up vs push up: the key differences

For most people, there is no practical difference at all. A press up and a push up are usually the same exercise with different names. The main difference is terminology and regional usage, not mechanics.

The important exception is the rehab meaning of press-up. In that context, the movement is done face-down and involves lifting the chest to extend the spine, which is aimed at back symptoms rather than chest and arm strength. So if someone says “press up,” always confirm whether they mean the bodyweight upper-body exercise or a back-extension drill.

The other difference is how the exercise is modified. People sometimes say “press-up” when referring to a gentler variation or a beginner-friendly option, but that’s not a universal rule. What matters more is the angle, range of motion, and how much body weight you’re moving.

Pros, cons, and which one to choose

If your goal is upper-body strength, muscle endurance, or a simple home workout, choose the standard push-up/press-up. It trains multiple muscles at once, needs no equipment, and can be progressed from wall push-ups to floor push-ups to harder variations.

Pros: simple, scalable, time-efficient, and great for building pressing strength. Cons: it can be too difficult for true beginners, and poor form can stress the wrists, shoulders, or lower back if you rush the movement or let the hips sag.

Choose a modified push-up if your goal is to build up to full floor reps, improve consistency, or train safely after a long break. Choose the rehab-style press-up only if a clinician has told you to use that specific back-extension exercise. For general strength training guidance, keep reps controlled and use a version that lets you maintain a straight line from head to heels.

How to decide: quick guidance by goal

Pick "push up" if you want the standard bodyweight upper-body exercise, especially for chest, triceps, shoulder, and core strength. Pick "press up" only if that is the regional term you use for the same movement, or if you are following a rehab plan that specifically names the spinal extension exercise.

If you’re training at home, aim for the version you can perform with full control and repeatable form. Start higher than the floor if needed, and progress gradually as you get stronger. The best variation is the one you can do well, not the one with the toughest name.

Tips

• Keep your body in a straight line and avoid letting your hips drop during the rep.
• Use a wall, countertop, or bench if full push-ups are too hard right now.
• Lower under control and press up without bouncing off the floor.
• Stop if the movement causes shoulder, wrist, or back pain, especially if you may be doing the rehab-style press-up by mistake.
• Track reps and form over time so you can progress gradually instead of guessing.