Push-ups are a great bodyweight exercise, but did you know you can make them even more effective? Push-up boards are the answer – they take the exercise to a whole new level and can implement a newfound intensity to your workouts. As far as home gym equipment goes, push-up boards are a brilliant inclusion. They can maximise gains, are space-conscious, and don’t break the bank. It’s our pleasure at What’s the Best to bring you the hottest push-up boards on the market.
The push-up board opens up the potential for your home workouts, and you don’t have to go out and buy heaps of state-of-the-art gym equipment like Smith machines or other multi-stations. The push-up is already a very dynamic and demanding bodyweight exercise, but the push-up board doubles down on this. The boards come with grip handles that you can place at different points and angles on the surface. Each grip position claims to target a specific muscle, such as the pectorals or triceps. Couple a push-up board with a pull-up bar, and you've got the equipment for a comprehensive upper-body workout.
The best push-up boards at a glance:
• The best budget push-up board: Temu 12-in-1 Push-Up Board – View at Temu
• The best push-up board for beginners: Active Sport Push-Up Board -Active Sport Push-Up Board –View at The Range
• The best high-end push-up board: LALAHIGH Upgraded Push-Up Board: Multi-Functional 20 in 1 –View at Amazon
Push-up boards are a fruitful addition to any home gym set-up, and it doesn’t get much simpler than that. Add a bit of flavour and nuance to an already fantastic bodyweight exercise. Not all push-up boards are made equally, so be sure to keep an eye out for extra features and attachments that are increasingly common among push boards nowadays. It’s all about getting your money’s worth.
The best push-up boards of 2024:
Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
The best budget push-up board
www.temu.com
Elevate your fitness routine with this 12-in-1 Push Up Board. This versatile system targets various muscle groups, enabling a full-body workout. With colour-coded positions for different exercises, it's perfect for all fitness levels. Compact and portable, it transforms any space into a dynamic gym that's perfect for building your shoulders, chest and triceps. Sadly the instructions and board labels are only in Chinese, but it's not hard to work out what's going on.
Pros
- Incredible value
- Whopping 12 exercise options
- Helpful colour scheming
Cons
- Instructions and labels in Chinese
The best push-up board for exercise variations
Unleash the power of the Daxiongmao Push-Up Board, a 20-in-1 fitness solution for total body transformation. Designed to target specific muscle groups, this board allows you to customize your workout. It's a brilliant tool for achieving strength and definition at home or on the go. We just wish the resistance bands offered a little more challenge.
Pros
- So much workout potential
- Foldable board
- Includes extra kit like resistance bands and storage bag
Cons
- Resistance bands aren’t overly challenging to use
The best high-end push-up board
Experience the next level of home fitness with the LALAHIGH Upgraded Push-Up Board. Boasting 20-in-1 functionality, it maxes out your workout routine by targeting diverse muscle groups. Effective, compact, and built for durability, this push-up board is your go-to solution for physical self-improvement.
Pros
- Total full-body workout
- So many extra attachments
- Complete home workout kit
Cons
- Far pricier than the competition
- Could do with more ab workout options
The best push-up board for beginners
www.therange.co.uk
Maximize your workout potential with the Active Sport Push-Up Board. Featuring a totally diverse design, you can hit different muscle groups for a comprehensive upper-body workout.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great if you're short on space
Cons
- No extra attachments
The best electronic push-up board
Upgrade your fitness routine with the Locisne Portable Intelligent Timing Fitness Push-Up Board. Its intelligent timing system ensures precise workouts, while the portable design lets you exercise anywhere.
Pros
- Digital workout assist
- Extra attachments
- Decent value
Cons
- Non-digital boards offer more exercises
Push up bars
Perhaps push boards aren't your thing, and you want an alternative. Here are some of the best push-up bars/grips that offer more freedom than your standard board.
The best budget push-up bars
www.argos.co.uk
Opti Push-Up Bars take push-ups to the next level. Designed for comfort and stability, they reduce wrist strain, allowing for a more effective upper-body workout. Durable and lightweight, these bars are a must-have for those seeking enhanced push-up performance. Note that the maximum user weight is only 90kg.
Pros
- Simple but effective
- Great value for money
- Plenty of freedom for different exercises
Cons
- Only 90kg max user weight
The best push-up bars
www.decathlon.co.uk
Bump up your push-up game with Push-Up Bar Grips 500 in striking blue. These ergonomic grips reduce wrist strain and enhance stability, promoting proper form for a more effective upper-body workout. Strengthen your routine with these durable and stylish fitness essentials.
Pros
- Excellent value
- Sturdy and padded
Cons
- Firm padding might not be for everyone
FAQs
How to use push-up boards
Push-up boards are incredibly easy to get along with. You typically get a rectangular board with a pair of handles that fit into various holes. You'll target a specific muscle group depending on where you click your handles. You can bias your chest, triceps, or front delts. Most boards have clear labels indicating where to put the handles for each muscle group.
Can push-ups build muscle?
Push-ups, if done correctly, can undoubtedly build muscle. Of course, to build muscle, you need to eat in a caloric surplus and hit a substantial protein intake. If you’re nailing the diet, and you’re performing push-ups to the right intensity – basic progressive overload structures will do – you will build muscle.
Will push-ups build a chest?
Yes, push-ups are a brilliant exercise to build the chest. You'll see eventual results if you train to progressive overload and stay consistent. What's special about push-ups is that they’re convenient, but it's still very easy to engage hypertrophy.
You can up the ante with push-ups in a few ways, too. You can get any push-up boards we mentioned in this article; they’re a surefire way to keep things interesting. Performing push-ups with additional weight on your back is another method to intensify the exercise. This will require access to plates or dumbbells and, ideally, a second pair of hands to load and unload the weight.
Push-ups are technically a compound movement, meaning you won’t just build your chest. The triceps and the front delts come into play during push-ups, too. With the right consistency and intensity, you’re bound to see development in these muscle groups, too.
Do push-ups work biceps?
No, push-ups do not directly work the biceps, even though some push-up boards might suggest otherwise. The function of the bicep is to flex the elbow and rotate the forearm; only through these movements does the bicep take on any load. Instead, it’s your triceps which are worked through push-ups. The triceps significantly extend the elbow joint and push your body up, while the biceps are not actively engaged in this particular movement.
If you wanted to train biceps in a bodyweight exercise specifically, a sturdy pull-up bar would be a far more appropriate kit to achieve this. Pull-ups engage the biceps, back, and rear delts.
Jack Barrell is a Tech and Fitness Writer for What’s the Best. He is invested in all things entertainment and keeps well up to date with the latest sports and exercise trends too. On his off days Jack can usually be found doing one of two things; lifting heavy weights – or watching his favourite Star Wars for the thousandth time.