Body-Up — start position
Start
Body-Up — end position
End

Arms / Intermediate / Isolation (single joint)

Body-Up

An isolation bodyweight exercise for the triceps, with the abs and forearms assisting.

At a glance

Primary
Triceps
Secondary
Abs, Forearms & grip
Equipment
Bodyweight
Movement pattern
Elbow extension
Level
Intermediate
Type
Arms, Isolation (single joint)

How to do it

  1. Assume a plank position on the ground. You should be supporting your bodyweight on your toes and forearms, keeping your torso straight. Your forearms should be shoulder-width apart. This will be your starting position.
  2. Pressing your palms firmly into the ground, extend through the elbows to raise your body from the ground. Keep your torso rigid as you perform the movement.
  3. Slowly lower your forearms back to the ground by allowing the elbows to flex.
  4. Repeat.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip — secondary (Front)Abs — secondary (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps — primary (Back)Forearms & grip — secondary (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Triceps
  • Secondary: Abs, Forearms & grip

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Photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (github.com/yuhonas/free-exercise-db), public domain.