11/06/2026
Press-ups are one of the most versatile exercises for shoulder rehabilitation. By simply changing your body position and the range of movement, they can be adapted to suit almost every stage of recovery—from early rehab with wall press-ups, through work surface and bench variations, to knee press-ups and full press-ups as strength and confidence improve.
Another major advantage is that press-ups can be done almost anywhere and require little to no equipment. Whether you're at home, in the gym, at work, or travelling, you can easily find a wall, countertop, bench, or simply use the floor to perform the exercise and continue your rehabilitation.
These exercises do much more than strengthen the chest and arms. Press-ups challenge the shoulder stabilising muscles, particularly the rotator cuff, helping to improve shoulder control, stability, and function. They also work the muscles around the shoulder blade, including the serratus anterior, trapezius, and rhomboids, which play a crucial role in healthy shoulder movement.
Start with the variation that feels comfortable and progress as your strength, control, and symptoms allow.