The Mayo Clinic is back and making us all feel bad about ourselves again. This week they revealed the total number of push ups the average person should be able to do.
The number has proved pretty divisive. As a goal, it makes sense, but considering the average American struggles to do just five push ups, we can’t help but feel like it’s a little unrealistic. Maybe us Brits are a little better, but there’s no current data to prove that.
Apparently this push up count is a perfectly good measure of how healthy you are. The exercise engages most of the major muscle groups throughout the body, including your legs, abs, shoulders, back and arms.
That is – if you’re doing them right. For most people, the issue with push ups is form. Done correctly, the move requires a person to begin face down on the ground, with their toes tucked, elbows bent and hands about shoulder height. Then… you get the picture. What goes up must come down.
The Mayo Clinic has outlined a target number for push up counts that people should be able to do, beginning with 25-year-old men and women.
According to the private healthcare provider, men should be able to achieve 28 push ups at one time and women should be able to do 20 to “show a good fitness level.”
As the age bracket rises by ten years to 35 years old, the number drops by one for women, whereas men should be able to perform 21 push ups, according to the Mayo Clinic.
This means men are getting a comparatively bigger rest than women as they age, but then, what else is new?
By the time we reach 45, the Mayo Clinic says women should be able to do 14 push ups, while men should be able to do 16.
As for 55-year-olds, 10 push ups should be possible for women and 12 is the ability level for men.
And if you were looking forward to a chill retirement, don’t – the Mayo Clinic has got you down to do a grand total of 10 push ups in one go (for both men and women) right the way up to age 65.
Meanwhile, a viral video from Nick Symmonds last year showed the actual state of things, with young and older people alike struggling to manage a single push up where they fully reach the ground and return to form. So don’t beat yourself up too much. Maybe aim for a gentle four to start with.
