Exercises Involved in Liebacks: A Look at the Involved Muscles

Push-ups are a popular exercise that many people incorporate into their fitness routine. But have you ever wondered which muscles you're actually working when you're doing push-ups? Here's a breakdown of the muscles involved.

Firstly, the pectoral muscles – both the large pectoralis major and the smaller pectoralis minor – play a significant role in push-ups. These muscles, located in the chest, help to move the arms and shoulders.

Shoulder muscles are also involved in push-ups. The deltoid muscle, responsible for shoulder movement, is engaged during this exercise. The arm muscles, specifically the biceps and triceps, are also trained during push-ups.

The triceps brachii muscle, located at the back of the upper arm, is particularly important in the push-up movement. It helps to extend the elbow joint and is crucial in pushing the body up during a push-up.

However, there are some muscles that are not primarily trained during push-ups. For instance, the gluteal muscles, which make up the buttocks, are not the main focus of this exercise. The large gluteal muscle (Musculus gluteus maximus) and the smaller gluteal muscles (Musculus gluteus medius and Musculus gluteus minimus) are not significantly worked during push-ups.

Similarly, the quadriceps femoris muscle, located at the front of the thigh, is not primarily trained during push-ups. The rectus abdominis muscle, which forms the "six-pack" in the abdomen, is not significantly trained during push-ups either.

The abdominal muscles are engaged during push-ups, but their primary function is to stabilize the body, rather than to move it. The same goes for the back muscles, especially the spinal erectors, and the core muscles. These muscles help to stabilize the body and maintain proper form during push-ups.

It's also worth noting that depending on the variation of the push-up, muscles around the hips and shoulders may be engaged as well. For example, during a wide-grip push-up, the serratus anterior muscle, which runs along the sides of the ribs and helps to rotate the scapula, may be more involved.

Finally, the pommuskulatur, or the muscle group for the lower back, is not significantly trained during push-ups. This is because the primary focus of push-ups is on the upper body, and the lower back is mainly used for stabilization.

In conclusion, push-ups are a versatile exercise that primarily targets the chest, shoulders, and arm muscles. However, it's important to remember that other muscles, such as the back and core, are also engaged to stabilize the body during this exercise.