The New York Times reports that one of the best ways of pinpointing your true fitness level is to try doing push-ups. The exercise uses your body weight to raise and lower your entire body in a plank position, testing numerous muscles—such as core, arms, chest, hips and legs.
Based on national averages, a 40-year-old woman should be able to do 16 push-ups and a man the same age should be able to do 27. Among 60-year-olds, men should be able to do 17 and women 6. But we all know that dropping and giving 20 ain’t easy at any age, especially for those lacking upper arm strength. A 2001 study administered push-up tests to about 70 students ages 10 to 13. Almost half the boys and three quarters of the girls didn’t pass.
Strength training is key to building better bones, burning fat, speeding up metabolism and maintaining balance. Unfortunately, over the years, people lose about 30 percent of their strength. But no worries, with regular exercise you build the strength of the muscles you have left. The Times suggests, “If the floor-based push-up is too difficult, start by leaning against a countertop at a 45-degree angle and pressing up and down. Eventually move to stairs and then the floor.” So get to lifting!
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