Short answer: A reverse-grip push-up uses palms turned so the fingers point partly or fully toward the feet. The position requires substantial wrist extension and shoulder control. Use an incline and partial rotation first, and stop if the setup is uncomfortable.
Reverse-grip push-ups are sometimes promoted as a biceps exercise. They may create a different sensation, but the movement remains a press led mainly by chest, triceps and front shoulders.
How to test the position
Warm the wrists, start on a wall or high counter and rotate the hands only as far as comfortable. Keep elbows controlled and lower through a small range. Do not force the fingers to point perfectly backward.
What muscles does it work?
The main pressing chain remains active. Biceps may stabilize, but reverse grip does not turn a push-up into a curl. Read do push-ups work biceps? for the anatomy.
Wrist considerations
This variation can demand more wrist mobility than a standard rep. Neutral-grip bars or ordinary close-grip push-ups are clearer alternatives when wrists feel strained.
Better options by goal
Choose close-grip or diamond reps for triceps, standard or deficit reps for chest, and chin-ups or curls for biceps. Novelty is not automatically better progression.
If comfortable, use 2–3 sets of 5–10 incline reps. Keep it optional rather than forcing it into every program.
Choose the variation your joints can repeat
RepSaga rewards consistent push-up work, whether your best setup is standard, close-grip or another pain-free option.
Frequently asked
Do reverse-grip push-ups build biceps?
Not as a primary exercise. They remain a pressing movement.
Are reverse-grip push-ups bad for wrists?
They require substantial wrist range and may be uncomfortable. Do not force the position.