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Weight Plate Push

Beginner

A full-body conditioning exercise pushing a weight plate across a smooth surface, targeting quads, glutes, chest, and core to build endurance, power, and strength; scalable by adding weight or distance.

About Exercise

Equipment

Plates

Difficulty

3/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Quads, Glutes

Secondary Muscles

Triceps

Popularity Score

5

Goals

Strength
Power
Endurance
Conditioning

Training Style

CrossFit
HIIT
Functional Training

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Large

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Quads

9/10

Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis

Glutes

8/10

Glute Max

Hamstrings

7/10

Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus

Chest

7/10

Mid Chest

Abs

7/10

Rectus Abdominis

Calves

6/10

Gastrocnemius

Shoulders

6/10

Anterior Delts

Obliques

6/10

External Obliques

Lower Back

6/10

Erector Spinae

Triceps

5/10
Programming

Typical Rep Range

20-50 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-120 seconds • Adjust based on intensity

How to Perform

Place a weight plate flat on a smooth surface like turf or carpet. Assume a low athletic stance behind it with hands flat on the plate, back parallel to the ground, core braced, and hips low.

  1. Drive forward with your legs, extending the back leg fully.
  2. Keep arms straight and push the plate steadily.
  3. Take short, powerful steps while maintaining low hips.
  4. Ensure knees track outward over toes.
  5. Continue pushing for the set distance or time.
  6. Turn the plate at the end and return if needed.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Back flat
  • Drive with legs
  • Core braced
  • Hips low
  • Knees out

Breathing

Inhale during preparation and exhale forcefully with each leg drive; maintain steady breathing to support core stability.

Tempo

2-0-1

Range of Motion

Push until full leg extension with hips low and parallel to the ground; stop at designated distance without raising hips above shoulders.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if acute lower back pain exists
  • Use towel on rough surfaces to prevent sticking
  • Start light to master form
  • Protect hands from friction on abrasive surfaces
  • Ensure surface allows smooth sliding

Spotting

No spotting needed; perform solo in open space with optional partner for motivation.

Common Mistakes

  • Rounding the back
  • Raising hips too high
  • Knees caving inward
  • Pushing with arms only
  • Poor hand placement causing slippage

When to Avoid

  • Acute lower back injury
  • Severe knee issues
  • Wrist instability

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate ankle dorsiflexion for low stance
  • Hip mobility for squat position

Build Up First

  • Mastery of basic hip hinge and squat stance
  • Core bracing technique

Also known as

Plate Sled Push, Weighted Plate Push, Floor Plate Push

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