Push-Up Norms
How many can push-ups can you do?
The expected number of push-ups you can do varies with your age and sex. The older you are, the less muscle mass you will have, and joints will be stiffer. Bodyweight and height will also affect how many push-ups you can do.
If you have just started on a conditioning program, you will not be expected to be able to do many push-ups, maybe none. Don't get too disappointed, you will quickly improve with practice and training. See our Push-Up Workout.
Here are the general norms for the total number of continuous push-ups you can perform. There is no time limit, but the push-ups must be done without rest.
Push-up test norms for MEN
| Your Age | 17-19 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 57+ | 48+ | 42+ | 35+ | 32+ | 31+ |
| Good | 47-56 | 39-47 | 34-41 | 28-34 | 25-31 | 24-30 |
| Above average | 35-46 | 30-39 | 25-33 | 21-28 | 18-24 | 17-23 |
| Average | 19-34 | 17-29 | 13-24 | 11-20 | 9-17 | 6-16 |
| Below average | 11-18 | 10-16 | 8-12 | 6-10 | 5-8 | 3-5 |
| Poor | 4-10 | 4-9 | 2-7 | 1-5 | 1-4 | 1-2 |
| Very Poor | 0-3 | 0-3 | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Push-up test norms for WOMEN
| Your Age | 17-19 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 36+ | 37+ | 38+ | 32+ | 26+ | 24+ |
| Good | 27-35 | 30-36 | 30-37 | 25-31 | 21-25 | 19-23 |
| Above Average | 21-27 | 23-29 | 22-30 | 18-24 | 15-20 | 13-18 |
| Average | 11-20 | 12-22 | 10-21 | 8-17 | 7-14 | 5-12 |
| Below average | 6-10 | 7-11 | 5-9 | 4-7 | 3-6 | 2-4 |
| Poor | 2-5 | 2-6 | 1-4 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 1 |
| Very Poor | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* Source: adapted from Golding, et al. (1986). The Y's way to physical fitness (3rd ed.)
Resources
- More push-up results
- Push-Up Calculator
- Push-Up Records
- Push-Up Fitness Testing
- Description of the standard traditional push-up technique
- Push-Up Equipment
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