Push Up vs Barbell Pullover
Which one fits your Chest workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Push Up more often — 10,535 sessions vs 147. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Push Up and Barbell Pullover and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.
Push Up vs Barbell Pullover: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Push Up more often — 10,535 sessions compared to 147 for Barbell Pullover.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Push Up and Barbell Pullover differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Push Up and Barbell Pullover Differ
| What differs | Push Up | Barbell Pullover |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | chest, triceps, and front delts | chest, back, and triceps |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 10,535 sessions | 147 sessions |
How to Do Push Up
Push Up Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Please lower yourself until your chest is just about to touch the floor.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 3. Engage your chest and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please go down only as much as you can without straining your shoulders.
- 2. Keep your core engaged to prevent your hips from dropping.
For a full Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Push Up exercise guide.
How to Do Barbell Pullover
Barbell Pullover Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the barbell over your head.
- 2. At this time, your chest and back should be sufficiently stretched.
- 3. Slowly lift the barbell to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- If you can't lower the barbell all the way to the top of your head, please lower it as much as you can without overexerting yourself.
For a full Barbell Pullover guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Pullover exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Push Up or Barbell Pullover?
Planfit users log Push Up more often — 10,535 sessions against 147 for Barbell Pullover. Both train Chest, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Push Up and Barbell Pullover work the same muscles?
Not quite. Push Up loads chest, triceps, and front delts, and Barbell Pullover loads chest, back, and triceps.
What equipment do Push Up and Barbell Pullover need?
Push Up needs bodyweight only, and Barbell Pullover needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Push Up is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Pullover once your form holds up.
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