A short video posted by the NFL this week caught plenty of eyes. Christian McCaffrey moved through a series of low, controlled pushup variations on an outdoor court under bright sun. His body stayed tight to the surface, weight shifting in deliberate patterns that looked nothing like basic gym reps. The league’s caption said it plainly: regular pushups are apparently too easy for CMC.
The clip, shared via his own account, spread quickly across social media. It gave fans a brief look at how the San Francisco 49ers running back spends part of his offseason as he heads into year 10.
The Method Behind These Christian McCaffrey Pushups
McCaffrey has used animal-style movements for years. These include spider-man and gorilla-inspired pushup and crawl variations that blend raw strength with mobility and rotational control. The idea is to train the body in the same awkward positions and angles it will face during games.
Football rarely happens in clean lines. A running back plants and cuts, absorbs hits while off balance, and explodes from piles. Training that forces the shoulders, hips, and core to stabilize in those spots builds the kind of resilience that shows up when it counts.
apparently regular pushups are too easy for CMC 👀
(via @CMC_22) pic.twitter.com/MoWK92GIEn
— NFL (@NFL) July 7, 2026
Last season McCaffrey handled 413 touches and finished with more than 2,100 scrimmage yards. That kind of workload leaves a mark. Sessions like the one in the video, done a couple times a week, focus on full range of motion and joint prep rather than just adding plates to a barbell.
The 49ers have already talked about managing his touches more carefully in 2026. They added depth in the backfield and brought in veteran receiver Mike Evans to spread the offense. McCaffrey’s own training choices fit the same thinking: stay durable, stay available deep into winter.
Fans reacted with the usual mix online. Some praised the obvious work ethic. Others posted shoulder jokes and rotator cuff memes. Most of it stayed light, more respect than real concern.
What stands out is the consistency. Plenty of players film big lifts. McCaffrey’s clips often show the quieter, more functional side of staying ready. That steady work on a random court might not trend every day, but it helps explain how he keeps producing at an elite level season after season.
Training camp is still weeks away. This video offered one small reminder that the 49ers’ most explosive offensive weapon is already putting in the kind of work that doesn’t always make highlight shows.
