Do dips work the rear delts?

Dips primarily target the chest, triceps, and front delts (anterior deltoids). They don’t significantly engage the rear delts (posterior deltoids). To target the rear delts, exercises such as reverse flyes, face pulls, and rear delt raises are more effective. For more anterior deltoid exercises to incorporate into your strength training sessions check out our previous post: Front Delts Workout .

Do push-ups work the side delts?

Push-ups mainly work the chest, triceps, and front delts ( 3 ). While they engage the shoulders for stabilization, they don’t significantly work the side delts (lateral deltoids). To effectively target the side delts, shoulder-specific exercises such as lateral raises and upright rows are recommended.

Can you hit every muscle with calisthenics?

Yes, you can target every muscle group using calisthenics. Here’s how you can hit each major muscle group: Chest: Push-ups, dips Back: Pull-ups, chin-ups, inverted rows Shoulders: Pike push-ups, handstand push-ups Arms: Tricep dips, body weight bicep curls Core: Planks, leg raises, mountain climbers Legs: Squats, lunges, step-ups Calisthenics can provide a comprehensive full-body workout with the right combination of exercises, thereby building strength and improving body composition ( 5 ).

Do push-ups work the shoulders?

Yes, push-ups work the shoulders, particularly the front delts (anterior deltoids). They serve as a stabilizing muscle and help with the pushing motion. However, push-ups aren’t the most effective exercise for isolating the side or rear delts. For a more rounded shoulder workout, incorporating exercises such as lateral raises, rear delt presses, reverse flyes, and shoulder presses can help ( 2 ).