Fitness Expert Explains Push vs. Pull Exercises

As seen in a Today.com article, Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Alexander Rothstein, Ed.D., explains the difference between “push” and “pull” exercises, and how to incorporate them into a weekly workout regimen.

While push exercises—like bench press, push-ups, and squats—engage arm or leg muscles as weight is driven away from the body, pull movements—such as biceps curls, pull-ups, and deadlifts—bring weight toward the body, says Rothstein, who adds that the weight can be pushed or pulled either horizontally or vertically. Daily workouts can include both push and pull movements, or gym goers can dedicate one day to push exercises and another day to pull work; both options are an effective plan for training muscle groups, Rothstein notes.