Clap Push-Up
A push-up that presses hard enough for the hands to leave the floor for one clap.
This page is a working draft. A coach has not reviewed it, so read it as a starting point, not as checked instruction.
- Pattern
- Horizontal push
- Modality
- Calisthenics
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Mechanic
- Unknown
- Force
- Unknown
- Laterality
- Bilateral
- Impact
- Moderate
- Trains where
- Gym, Home
- At home
- Yes
How to do it
Set up
- Place the hands under the shoulders on a floor that does not slip.
- Step the feet back until the body is in one line from head to heels.
Do the rep
- Lower until the chest is a fist's height above the floor.
- Press up fast so that the hands leave the floor, and clap once.
- Land on soft, slightly bent elbows with the hands under the shoulders.
What counts as a rep
A rep counts when the hands clap in the air and land under the shoulders with the body still in one line.
One rep lowers to a fist's height above the floor, presses so the hands leave the floor and clap once, and ends in a controlled landing on bent elbows.
Breathing
Inhale as you lower; exhale hard as you press off the floor.
Cues
- Press the floor away fast.
- Clap once, then bring the hands back under the shoulders.
- Land with soft elbows.
Common mistakes
Landing on locked arms
What you seeThe elbows are straight when the hands land, and the body jars.
FixBend the elbows a little as the hands land.
Soft elbows absorb the landing and protect the elbows and wrists.
Sagging hips
What you seeThe hips drop as the hands leave the floor.
FixBrace the trunk before each press.
A rigid body lets the press lift the whole body.
Stop the set if
- Stop if you feel sharp pain.
- Stop if a wrist or elbow hurts on landing.
- End the set when the hands no longer leave the floor with time to clap.
General educational content, not individual coaching or medical advice.
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