If you subscribe to the Mercola newsletter or frequent the website, you may have read this article a few weeks ago that highlighted a recent study on a possible link between pushups and heart disease. The study, which involved 1,100 male firefighters with an average age of 40, found that the number of pushups you can complete appears to be an accurate way to gauge your heart health, as well as your fitness level.
After learning this, several male Mercola staff members agreed to be put to the test. They set a time limit of three minutes, and aimed to do as many pushups as they could before the timer ran out. Check out this article to see how their challenge went!
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While the original study was conducted with men, three women from the Mercola team also agreed to take the pushup challenge to gauge their heart health and fitness level. Each performed a different pushup variation to take the challenge.
If pushups aren’t currently part of your workout routine, they should be! When done correctly, pushups can offer many benefits, including:
Build strength — Pushups target your chest muscles, shoulders, abdominals, the back of your arms and the serratus anterior (the muscles under your armpits). A typical pushup requires you to lift 50% to 75% of your body weight, which will help you build strength in your upper body and core.
Boost your metabolism — Bodyweight exercises like pushups work multiple muscle groups at the same time, requiring your heart to work harder and ultimately raising your metabolic rate for increased fat burning and weight loss.
Build stronger bones — Weight-bearing exercise like pushups is one of the most effective remedies against osteoporosis, because as you put more tension on your muscles it puts more pressure on your bones, which then respond by continuously creating fresh, new bone.
Think you have what it takes to try the pushup challenge yourself? Gauge your heart health and fitness level by performing your own pushup challenge at home! Set a timer for three minutes and perform your pushups, resting as needed. From there send your challenge video to [email protected].