Body-Up
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, needing no equipment.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Body-Up
- Assume a plank position on the ground. You should be supporting your bodyweight on your toes and forearms, keeping your torso straight. Your forearms should be shoulder-width apart. This will be your starting position.
- Pressing your palms firmly into the ground, extend through the elbows to raise your body from the ground. Keep your torso rigid as you perform the movement.
- Slowly lower your forearms back to the ground by allowing the elbows to flex.
- Repeat.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Body-Up
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Bench Press
The bench press is the most popular upper body exercise for building chest strength and muscle mass. It's a compound movement that also develops the triceps and anterior deltoids.
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2
Incline Barbell Triceps Extension
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a barbell.
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3
Body Tricep Press
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, needing no equipment.
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4
Decline Close-Grip Bench To Skull Crusher
An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the triceps, using a barbell.
-
5
Dumbbell One-Arm Triceps Extension
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.
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6
Kneeling Cable Triceps Extension
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a cable machine.
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7
Lying Close-Grip Barbell Triceps Extension Behind The Head
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a barbell.
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8
Lying Close-Grip Barbell Triceps Press To Chin
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using an E-Z curl bar.
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9
Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.
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10
Lying Triceps Press
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using an E-Z curl bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do body-up work?
Body-Up primarily works the triceps. The abs and forearms assist as secondary muscles.
What equipment do I need for body-up?
None. Body-Up is a bodyweight movement you can do anywhere you have floor space.
Body-Up: is it suitable for beginners?
Body-Up is rated intermediate. Movements that assume you already own the basic pattern and are ready to load it.
What can I do instead of body-up?
Bench Press, Incline Barbell Triceps Extension, Body Tricep Press train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my body-up reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; body-up can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Body-Up with AI
Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.