Guide
How many push ups should you be able to do?
How many push ups should I be able to do? Read published age references, compare the test rules, and record a full set you can repeat.
Push up contest
- Winner
- Most reps in one go
- Measured in
- Reps
- Boards
- Gym, city, country, world
Count full push ups in one set, with a straight body, arms locked at the top and upper arms at least parallel to the floor at the bottom. Film one unbroken take and record the accepted count. OpenContest is prelaunch, and these written rules are available to use today.
The rules
What counts
- Lower until your upper arms are at least parallel to the floor.
- Push back up until your arms are straight.
- Keep a straight line from your shoulders to your heels on every rep.
- You can rest at the top with your arms straight, as long as nothing but hands and feet touch the floor.
What doesn’t count
- Half reps that stop above parallel or short of locked arms.
- Reps with sagging hips or a piked bottom.
- Knees touching the floor. The set ends there.
- Resting with your chest or hips on the floor.
How to film it
- Film from the side at floor level, so your elbows and body line are easy to see.
- Keep your head, hands and feet in frame for the whole set.
- Start recording before your first rep.
Choose the depth, lockout and body line before you count a set. These published rules give you a consistent test to film and review. OpenContest is prelaunch, with a waitlist for updates about the planned app.
For context on a result, our push-up benchmark guide explains published age references, community figures and the test behind each count.
How it works
Set your phone on the floor, side-on, and start recording. Keep your whole body in frame. Review the recording yourself or ask a training partner to check the depth, lockout and body line. Rest at the top if you need to. The set ends when your knees, chest or hips touch down, or when you stop.
Write the date and accepted count on a scorecard, together with any details that changed the attempt. If you are testing with friends, agree on the same rule and a deadline before anyone starts.
Who checks the reps
A continuous video lets another person inspect the same attempt. Check each repetition against the written rules and note the timestamp of any attempt you leave out. For a group challenge, choose who handles a disputed count before the first set. The filming guide explains how to keep the relevant positions visible.
Getting more reps
Keep records for full, knee-supported and elevated-hand push ups separately. A change in variation can change the count, so write down the surface and movement you used. Stop if you feel pain or cannot maintain the position safely. When you repeat a full-set test, use the same rule and camera angle.
Questions
Do knee push ups count?
Not on this board. Every rep is on your hands and toes. Knee push ups are a good way to train towards it.
Does my chest have to touch the floor?
No. Your upper arms need to reach parallel to the floor, which for most people puts the chest a few centimetres off the ground.
Can I use push up handles?
No. Hands go flat on the floor so the depth is the same for everyone.
Read more about push ups
Guide
How to film a take that counts
How to film a contest take that counts: phone placement, framing, light, the right angle for each contest, and why takes are not counted.
