Check Your Fitness Level: Pushup Targets by Age for Men and Women

Check Your Fitness Level: Pushup Targets by Age for Men and Women

November 29, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Health

Want to know how fit you are? Try doing pushups. The number of pushups you can do is a good sign of your muscular strength and endurance.

According to guidelines from the Mayo Clinic, here are the target pushup counts by age and gender:

  • Age 25: Women should aim for 20 pushups; men, 28.
  • Age 35: Women should do 19 pushups; men, 21.
  • Age 45: Women should target 14 pushups; men, 16.
  • Age 55: Women should perform 10 pushups; men, 12.
  • Age 65: Both men and women should aim for 10 pushups.

If you can’t reach these numbers, try doing pushups on your knees to build your strength. Make sure to keep the right form: your back should be straight, and you should lower your body until your chin touches the floor.

There are other fitness tests recommended by the Mayo Clinic:

  • Running Test for Age 25: Women should run 1.5 miles in under 13 minutes; men should aim for 11 minutes.
  • Running Test for Age 45: Women should aim for 14 minutes; men should aim for 12 minutes.
  • Running Test for Age 65: Women should aim for 17.5 minutes; men should aim for 14 minutes.

These fitness tests can help you set goals for staying active. If you struggle with pushups, remember that practice helps. Maintain good form, take breaks between sets, and stop if you feel pain.