Exercise guide
Mountain Climbers
Mountain Climbers alternate the knees toward the torso from a push-up position. The quadriceps and hamstrings cycle the legs, while the chest, shoulders, and trunk support the upper body.
Training context
Before Adding Mountain Climbers
The exercise can be used as conditioning, a warm-up, or a trunk-stability drill. Pace should match the athlete's ability to keep the push-up position controlled.
Slower step-ins are a useful starting variation. Speed should increase only when the hands remain planted and the hips do not rise or bounce excessively.
Technique overview
Keep the shoulders supported as the legs switch
Begin in a strong push-up position with one knee drawn forward. Switch the legs by extending one as the other moves beneath the torso. Land lightly through the toes and reduce speed when the hips rise, the back sags, or the hands begin to shift.
Treat this as an overview and use a range, pace, and setup you can control.