The standard push-up: high plank position, hands set-up below the shoulders, lower the body down and push back up, full extension. Yes, it’s just that simple. And though many perceive this exercise as a form of punishment, experts say that the ability to perform a push-up can be a significant indicator of overall health.
While the push-up primarily targets the muscles of the chest, shoulders, and back, it engages most of the main muscle groups of the entire body, including the arms, legs, and abs. In many respects, it is the perfect workout, and as such, the push-up can prove a measure of one’s muscular strength and endurance.
So many push-ups ought one be able to perform to be considered in “good” fitness? The Mayo Clinic breaks it down like this:
At age 25: 20 push-ups for women, 28 for men
At age 35: 19 push-ups for women, 21 for men
At age 45: 14 push-ups for women, 16 for men
At age 55: 10 push-ups for women, 12 for men
At age 65: 10 and 10
Of course there are many other factors to consider when analyzing one’s overall fitness level, but the push-up challenge is one place to start.
[Mayo Clinic] [New York Post] [YouTube: Well+Good]
