Handstand push-up

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title: "Handstand push-up" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["bodyweight-exercises", "weight-training-exercises"] description: "Type of push-up exercise" topic_path: "general/bodyweight-exercises" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handstand_push-up" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Type of push-up exercise ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Handstand_pushup.jpg" caption="The body is vertical in a handstand"] ::

The handstand push-up (press-up) - also called the vertical push-up (press-up) or the inverted push-up (press-up), also called "commandos" - is a type of push-up exercise where the body is positioned in a handstand. For a true handstand, the exercise is performed free-standing, held in the air. The Handstand Push Up (HSPU) is an advanced bodyweight exercise that is highly effective for hypertrophy and explosive strength, particularly in the shoulders, arms, and triceps. To prepare the strength until one has built adequate balance, the feet are often placed against a wall, held by a partner, or secured in some other way from falling. Handstand pushups require significant strength, as well as balance and control if performed free-standing.

Similar exercises

The movement can be considered a bodyweight exercise similar to the military press, while the regular push-up is similar to the bench press.

Muscles

The primary muscles used in the handstand push-up are the anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, posterior deltoid, pectoralis major, upper trapezius, and triceps brachii.

Ability

The handstand push-up is measured in the Men's Gymnastics Functional Measurement Tool (MGFMT). According to one test on competitive male gymnasts in the United States, those competing at Level 4 averaged 3.0 handstand push-ups while those at Level 10 averaged 15.7.

References

References

1. (2026-01-12). "Handstand Push Up: How to Do It, Benefits, and Progression – SVRG".
2. (2019). "Exercise Technique: Handstand Push-up". Strength & Conditioning Journal.
3. (2016). "Measuring Sport-Specific Physical Abilities in Male Gymnasts: The Men's Gymnastics Functional Measurement Tool". International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy.

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