Primary
Rehabilitation
Secondary
Serratus Anterior, Shoulders
Equipment
Bodyweight
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Push
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This page is not medical advice or a rehabilitation protocol. Ely's personal review applies to purchased workout plans and does not replace an in-person assessment by a licensed healthcare professional.
Scapular push-ups isolate protraction and retraction of the shoulder blades without bending the elbows. This exercise strengthens the serratus anterior, a muscle critical for healthy scapular mechanics and shoulder stability during pressing.
When to use it
Use for shoulder health and warm-up.
Who it's for
All levels. Great for shoulder stability.
Keep your arms completely straight throughout. At the bottom, squeeze your shoulder blades together. At the top, push the floor away and round your upper back, spreading your shoulder blades apart.
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Also targets: Serratus Anterior, Shoulders
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Get in push-up position with arms straight.
Keep arms locked and straight throughout.
Squeeze shoulder blades together, lowering chest.
Then push shoulder blades apart, rounding upper back.
Move only at the shoulder blades, not elbows.
Repeat for desired reps.
Targets serratus anterior for shoulder health.
Arms stay locked throughout.
Great for shoulder stability.
Use scapular push-ups as warm-up before pressing or as a corrective exercise for scapular winging. Program 3 sets of 12-15 reps. Progress to weighted versions or push-up plus for additional challenge.
Bending elbows when they should remain straight.
Letting your elbows drift away from the intended path during the Scapular Push-Up can change which muscles carry the load. Use the elbow position described in the setup cues and keep it consistent through each rep.
Moving too little which limits range of motion benefits.
Cutting the range of motion short on the Scapular Push-Up can reduce the training stimulus for your Serratus anterior. Use the largest comfortable range you can control without changing the intended setup.
Not full protraction.
Cutting the range of motion short on the Scapular Push-Up can reduce the training stimulus for your Serratus anterior. Use the largest comfortable range you can control without changing the intended setup.
All levels. Great for shoulder stability.
Lower reps with heavier weight builds raw strength. Your muscles and nervous system adapt to handle more load over time. This range is best for strength-focused goals.
This rep range keeps your muscles under tension long enough to trigger growth. Most people see the best muscle-building results in this zone. It balances strength and muscle size.
Higher reps with lighter weight builds muscular endurance and improves conditioning. This range is good for joint health and building work capacity.
General guideline: For general fitness, start Scapular Push-Up with 1-2 light, controlled sets and increase only when the movement remains comfortable. This is not rehabilitation dosage; use the frequency and progression given by your licensed healthcare professional for an injury or surgery.
This is one example of how Scapular Push-Up could sit inside a complete workout. Your plan may use different movements after Ely checks your assessment.
Sample workout
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Scapular Push-Up
The Scapular Push-Up primarily targets the Serratus anterior, making it an effective exercise for rehabilitation development. Secondary muscles worked during the Scapular Push-Up include Pectorals, Trapezius, providing additional training stimulus. Stabilizer muscles engaged include Core.
Yes, the Scapular Push-Up is an excellent choice for beginners due to its straightforward movement pattern and lower technical demands. All levels. Great for shoulder stability. Start with lighter weights to master proper form before progressing.
For the Scapular Push-Up, the recommended approach depends on your goals. For general fitness, start Scapular Push-Up with 1-2 light, controlled sets and increase only when the movement remains comfortable. This is not rehabilitation dosage; use the frequency and progression given by your licensed healthcare professional for an injury or surgery. For strength, use 10-12 reps. For muscle growth, perform 12-15 reps. For endurance, complete 15-20 reps.
Yes, the Scapular Push-Up can be done at home with no equipment. It requires minimal space and is a great option for home workouts targeting rehabilitation.
Good alternatives to the Scapular Push-Up include: Incline Push-Up, External Rotation. These exercises target similar muscle groups as the Scapular Push-Up and can be used as substitutes based on your equipment availability, gym setup, or training preferences.