The Push-Up Test is a field-based assessment of upper-body muscular endurance. It records the number of valid push-ups completed using a defined protocol. A large cohort study of 1,104 occupationally active adult men found that higher push-up capacity was associated with lower cardiovascular disease event risk over 10 years, although this should not be used as a diagnostic rule.
The push-up is widely used to assess upper-body muscular endurance. It challenges the chest, shoulders, triceps and trunk stabilisers while requiring whole-body control.
The test is simple and practical, but results are strongly affected by protocol, range of motion, cadence, sex, age, body mass, technique and whether a standard or modified version is used.
Test name: Push-Up Test
Category: Upper-body muscular endurance
Primary score: Valid repetitions completed
Equipment: Flat surface, optional mat, Measurz rep counter, optional metronome
Best suited to: Fitness, sport and occupational performance monitoring
Key limitation: Norms vary widely by protocol and version.
The Push-Up Test records how many push-ups a client can complete using a defined protocol. Some versions are performed to technical failure, while others use a time limit or cadence.
The Push-Up Test may be used to assess:
Upper-body muscular endurance
Trunk control under repeated loading
Relative bodyweight strength endurance
Fitness changes over time
Training response
General physical capacity
The primary score is:
Number of correctly completed push-ups
The result may reflect:
Chest endurance
Triceps endurance
Shoulder endurance
Trunk stability
Relative strength
Body mass influence
Technique and motivation
It does not isolate one muscle group or assess overall fitness on its own.
The Push-Up Test may be useful for:
General fitness clients
Field and court sport clients
Tactical or occupational groups
Gym and strength-training clients
Exercise professionals monitoring upper-body endurance
Modified versions may suit clients who cannot perform standard push-ups safely or consistently.
Flat, non-slip surface
Optional mat
Optional foam block, towel or target for depth
Measurz rep counter
Measurz metronome for cadence-controlled testing
Measurz stopwatch for timed versions
Optional Measurz AR measurement to document hand placement or setup
MAT tools such as Anker, Gripper and Muscle Meter for related upper-limb isometric strength testing
Measurz platform for reps, version, symptoms, technique notes and progress tracking
The client begins in a push-up position.
Hands are placed under or slightly outside the shoulders.
Body forms a straight line from shoulders to ankles.
Feet position is standardised.
Head remains neutral.
Explain depth, lockout and stopping rules.
Start the test.
Count only valid repetitions.
Stop when the client reaches technical failure, rests beyond the protocol allowance or loses form.
Record total valid repetitions.
The score is:
Total valid push-ups completed
Interpretation should consider:
Standard or modified version
Depth standard
Cadence
Time limit
Body mass
Sex and age
Pain or symptoms
Technique
Use only when the same protocol is used:
Men
Excellent: 40+ reps
Good: 30–39 reps
Moderate: 20–29 reps
Developing: 10–19 reps
Low current endurance: under 10 reps
Women
Excellent: 30+ reps
Good: 20–29 reps
Moderate: 10–19 reps
Developing: 5–9 reps
Low current endurance: under 5 reps
These are practical bands, not universal norms.
In the JAMA Network Open cohort study, men able to complete more than 40 push-ups had a lower rate of incident cardiovascular disease events compared with those completing fewer than 10. This was an association in occupationally active adult men and should not be used diagnostically.
Push-up testing can be reliable when range of motion, cadence and scoring rules are standardised. Research on 90-degree push-up testing reported high reliability in a student sample, reinforcing the importance of defined repetition standards.
Common errors include:
Partial range of motion
Hips sagging or piking
Inconsistent depth
Changing hand position
Resting without recording it
Comparing modified and standard versions
Counting reps after technical failure
The Push-Up Test can help monitor upper-body endurance, track training response, compare baseline and retest scores, and combine findings with shoulder endurance, plank and upper-limb strength testing.
Record:
Test name
Version: standard or modified
Total valid repetitions
Cadence
Time limit if used
Hand position
Depth standard
Pain score
Symptoms
Technical failure reason
Compensations
Retest date
The Measurz rep counter supports repetition tracking, the metronome supports cadence control, and MAT isometric tools can support related upper-limb strength testing.
Plank Test
Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test
Shoulder Isometric Endurance Tests
Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test
Athletic Shoulder Test
It measures upper-body muscular endurance and trunk control during repeated bodyweight pushing.
For general adult comparison, 30–39 reps may be good for men and 20–29 reps may be good for women, but protocol and age matter.
One study found an association between higher push-up capacity and lower cardiovascular event risk in active adult men, but this should not be used as a diagnostic rule.
The Push-Up Test is a practical upper-body endurance assessment.
The score is valid repetitions completed.
Protocol details strongly affect results.
Measurz can track version, reps, cadence, symptoms and progress.
Yang, J., Christophi, C. A., Farioli, A., Baur, D. M., Moffatt, S., Zollinger, T. W., & Kales, S. N. (2019). Association between push-up exercise capacity and future cardiovascular events among active adult men. JAMA Network Open, 2(2), e188341. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.8341
Hashim, A., et al. (2018). Reliability and validity of the 90º push-ups test protocol.
