Wide Push Up vs Jackhammer Pushdown
Which one fits your Chest workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Wide Push Up more often — 494 sessions vs 13. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Wide Push Up and Jackhammer Pushdown and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.
Wide Push Up vs Jackhammer Pushdown: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Wide Push Up more often — 494 sessions compared to 13 for Jackhammer Pushdown.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Wide Push Up and Jackhammer Pushdown differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Wide Push Up and Jackhammer Pushdown Differ
| What differs | Wide Push Up | Jackhammer Pushdown |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | chest, front delts, and triceps | chest and triceps |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 494 sessions | 13 sessions |
How to Do Wide Push Up
Wide Push Up Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Please lower yourself until your chest is just about to touch the ground.
- 2. 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 Wide Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Wide Push Up exercise guide.
How to Do Jackhammer Pushdown
Jackhammer Pushdown Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Keep your elbow fixed and push the handle down to straighten your arm.
- 2. Hold the feeling of contraction in your triceps at the bottom position for a moment.
- 3. While keeping your elbow from moving back, slowly return the handle to the starting position.
- 4. Repeat the same motion smoothly without any bouncing.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Keep your elbows fixed so they don't move back and forth, and be careful not to push with your shoulders.
- 2. Keep your wrists straight so they don't bend.
- 3. Avoid weights that are too heavy to the point of compromising your form.
For a full Jackhammer Pushdown guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Jackhammer Pushdown exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Wide Push Up or Jackhammer Pushdown?
Planfit users log Wide Push Up more often — 494 sessions against 13 for Jackhammer Pushdown. Both train Chest, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Wide Push Up and Jackhammer Pushdown work the same muscles?
Not quite. Wide Push Up loads chest, front delts, and triceps, and Jackhammer Pushdown loads chest and triceps.
What equipment do Wide Push Up and Jackhammer Pushdown need?
Wide Push Up needs bodyweight only, and Jackhammer Pushdown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Wide Push Up is the easier place to start. Move to Jackhammer Pushdown once your form holds up.
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