Why I Don’t Like Scap Push-ups

Written on August 1, 2017 at 9:05 am, by Eric Cressey

I used to regularly program scap push-ups in training programs in an attempt to improve shoulder health. Nowadays, though, I realize there are much better ways to get the job done. Check out today's video to learn the problems with scap push-ups as well as some better alternatives:

If you're looking for some good serratus anterior activation drills in place of scap push-ups, check out these videos:

If you're interested in learning all my favorite strategies for getting serratus anterior firing, be sure to check out my popular resource, Sturdy Shoulder Solutions at www.SturdyShoulders.com.

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10 Responses to “Why I Don’t Like Scap Push-ups”

1. Rich P Says:
   August 1st, 2017 at 11:25 am

   Is the scap pushup harmful? If I wanted to train Football Offensive Linemen for an OL punch, which is elbow inside the frame, thumbs up palm heel strike where the arms are locked with elbows down, where the last two inches of the punch is scap activation- which is a really powerful force, I would have them do the scap push up because its really close to the motion. Thoughts?

2. Zeek Fit Freak Says:
   August 1st, 2017 at 11:42 am

   Awesome Eric! You did a fantastic job explaining this. Thanks

3. Lance Goyke Says:
   August 2nd, 2017 at 4:46 am

   It’s a really good thing to post this and clear the air. Respect.

   Hopefully now I’ll have to talk fewer people out of doing them!

   -Lance

4. Jon C Fischetti Says:
   August 2nd, 2017 at 6:08 am

   I appreciate this because I often found my myself fighting my pec minors to keep the scaps from anterior tilting at the top of the scap push up. Great stuff as always Eric.

5. Tim Vagen Says:
   August 2nd, 2017 at 12:23 pm

   Great stuff as always EC! We used a lot of med ball rolls and slides on the walls with our swimmers. This allowed a great amount of control as the GH changed position in the sagittal plane. It certainly saved a lot of shoulders at the time and gave a great “anchoring” action to the pull through. Hope things are well.

6. TMMerrick Says:
   August 2nd, 2017 at 2:34 pm

   Good info, Eric! I’ve always suspected that the (scap) push-up plus was not quite doing what I needed. These movements will help me do a better job of fine-tuning my scapular control.

7. Eric Cressey Says:
   August 2nd, 2017 at 8:24 pm

   Rich – I still think there are better ways to get the job done.

8. Lydia Says:
   August 3rd, 2017 at 3:33 pm

   Interesting, I’ve been including these all the time in my shoulder warm ups :O Do you have any alternatives that *don’t* require any equipment (like a foam roller, ball, wall sliders, landmine, etc)?

9. Kristin Veria-Danieli Says:
   August 13th, 2017 at 4:35 am

   I sincerely enjoy everything you do. You’re a ground breaker. Thank you for sharing this. I, myself, have shoulder impingement and the routine physio exercises aren’t quite doing it. I’ll be trying these for sure as my issue is arising from the fact that my pec minor is tight and my shoulder blade is frozen in place. Thanks again mate.

10. Eric Cressey Says:
    August 24th, 2017 at 4:33 am

    Lydia – a yoga push-up is a pretty good alternative.