Push-up FAQ
How many push-ups should I be able to do?
It depends on your age and sex. For men aged 20 to 29, 17 push-ups in a row is fair and 36 or more is excellent, and the numbers go down with each decade. Women are rated with their own table, doing knee push-ups.
See the full table →How much weight do I push in a push-up?
About 65% of your body weight in a standard push-up, according to force-plate measurements by Ebben et al. (2011). On your knees it drops to about 50%, and with your feet raised on a high box it reaches about 75%.
Open the load calculator →Why do women take the test on their knees?
Because the ACSM norms were built that way: men on their toes, women on their knees. If you are a woman and did standard push-ups, your level is conservative, and the result page tells you so.
Does the test work if I am under 20 or over 69?
Yes, as an approximation. The norms cover ages 20 to 69, so the test uses the closest age group and marks your result as approximate.
How can I do more push-ups?
Train them two or three times a week. Do a few sets that stop one or two reps short of failure, and move from easier variations, like incline or knee push-ups, to harder ones as you get stronger. Retest every four to six weeks to see your level move.
Do knee push-ups count less?
They move less weight: about 50% of your body weight, against 65% in a standard push-up. They are a good way to build up to full push-ups, and they are the official test position for women.
Do you store my data?
No. The test runs in your browser and your result lives only in the page address, which is what makes it shareable. There is no account and nothing is saved on a server. Ads on the site are served by Google.
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