How Many Push-ups Should I Do a Day?

Vary your push-up routine!

Push-ups are one of the most basic and classic of all strength building exercises. It seems that they are incorporated into all kinds of workout programs, including the ones that top flight athletes and the military use. The best part about push-ups is that you can do them anywhere; you don't need equipment; and you can try many alterations and varying workout programs.

No Perfect Number

There's no perfect number for how many push-ups a person should do in a day. It depends on current strength levels, as well as goals and comfort.

Perform Three to Five Sets

Instead of worrying about achieving a number that somebody else set for you, work on performing between three and five sets of pushups every day. Rest for 60 seconds between each set and if you're sore on the following day, skip doing them until the next day.

Increase Your Personal Number

If the first time you did five sets of pushups, meaning you could do 50 total, or 10 per set, set a goal of improving that to 100 total, or 20 per set. Once you reach that, set a new goal that you can set your sights on. Don't worry about following somebody else's numbers; work on improving your own goals and abilities.

Should You Go to Failure?

Going to failure means performing as many repetitions as you can before you literally cannot do any more. Going to failure is a great way to encourage your muscles to grow. However, vary this approach by sometimes only doing a prescribed number of reps per set.

Use Variations

Aside from the standard push-up, there are many simple variations that can increase success. Place your hands on the floor wider than shoulder width for one variation. Other variations include resting your foot on a bench or incline and clapping push-ups, where you clap your hands at the top of the movement before bracing yourself for another repetition.