Is the Bicep Push-up Any Good?
The bicep pushup is the type of movement that has controversy around when it comes to the different types of activity: calisthenics, weightlifting, etc. In this article, I’m going to explain how to perform the bicep pushup and when you should and shouldn’t use it.
So about 4 years back when the world was under attack by the coronavirus, Athlean X, Calisthenic Movement, as well as fitness FAQ chimed in and started throwing hands in a 1v2 match-up together over the bicep pushup.
For those that don’t know, the bicep pushup is an exercise that is similar to the pseudo-planche pushup( watch the video to see) except for more supination within the wrist. You supinated the hands entirely on the floor, depress protract the scapula, lean forward and squeeze the butt, and descend.
Basically, Athlean X was saying that exercise isn’t a great one to develop the bicep and it’s dangerous for the wrist due to the supination.
Calisthenic movement was stated to best activate the bicep you need to have a proper form(which Jeff wasn’t using proper form).
Fitness FAQ said to start within the neutral grip and as you get better you can work with the supinated grip as you get used to the exercise.
The thing is that any exercise can be dangerous if your body isn’t used to it. If you were a personal trainer coaching a beginner, you wouldn’t have them lift heavy weights when they first start. This is because their muscles and bones aren’t used to this, but as they train their body becomes more accustomed to load.
Honestly, Athlean X was coming for more of a bodybuilding perspective while Fitness FAQs and calisthenic movement were thinking of the functional implications of calisthenics.
So, your goals will depend on whether or not you should use this exercise. when it comes to building up your biceps, it’s better to do chin-ups, bicep curls, and peclian curls(shown in the video). The bicep pushup is good for stabilization and tendon development of the bicep, building straight arm strength for skills and reducing injury, and if you ever do the exercise it hits the anterior deltoids.
