Pushups are one of the most relied upon exercises to build strength in the upper chest region.
Though if you have been diligent with your pushup routine for any length of time, you start to notice that the standard pushup loses its difficulty. Luckily, we have different ways of doing pushups that make them much harder. The human body is amazing in how it can perform some incredible feats of strength.
Hardest Pushups Ever!
Below you will find ten of the hardest pushups in the world. Some are based on the normal pushup but use plyometric movements. Others rely upon balance and coordination. And still, others will make you cringe in pain because all the pressure is on one or two fingers.
*Bonus Article: I am a huge proponent of compound movements. That’s why I love Pushups so much because they strengthen the entire body.
I found a great article that clearly lays out the basics as to the age-old argument of Body Part Isolation vs. Complex Movements in Strength Training, I highly recommend checking it out.
Let us know in the comment section, which one is the hardest pushup of the 10.
10. Walking Jump Pushups
This is a sweet video of two guys doing some of the hardest pushups across the floor. The walking jump pushup incorporates both plyometric and strength.
9. Muy Thai Pushup
The Muy Thai Pushup uses tremendous explosive strength in order to stay in the air long enough to clap your hands behind the back. It almost looks like he is levitating briefly at the peak point. A list showing the hardest pushups wouldn’t be complete without Muy Thai Pushups.
8. Triple Clap Pushups
Triple Clap Pushups are even more difficult than Muy Thai because you have to stay in the air long enough to clap three times.
7. 2 Fingers Pushup
The 2 Fingers Pushups was made popular by Bruce Lee. It takes tremendous strength in your fingers as well as your pec muscles.
6. 2 Fingers Handstand Pushups
This push is extremely difficult. I cringe every time I watch this video. This guy has to be insane.
5. Superman Pushup
The Superman Pushup is intense. It takes strength not only in the chest but also in your abs and back muscles to lift your body off the ground while your arms are fully extended.
4. Flying Superman Pushups
I love this one. It is crazy to watch this guy do this intense pushup. I am definitely working up toward this one.
3. Planche Pushup
The Planche Pushup takes great strength in the shoulder region to do. You can work your way up this hard pushup by doing the normal pushup but bringing your body up further. This will put more emphasis on your shoulders.
2. 90 Degree Pushups
The 90 Degree Pushup is a gymnastic pushup and is intense. It not only incorporates tremendous strength but also great balance in order to do this.
1. Aztec Pushup
This is my favorite and super intense. The Aztec Pushup is wickedly cool and really hard. I give this the number one spot not only because of how extreme it is but also because of it’s uniqueness.
One of the most important ways to progress in fitness is to work slowly. I’ve included a calisthenics progression guide here to help you gauge what level you are at.
Then, once you have a baseline, you can progress upward and eventually crank out some of these super difficult push-ups!
Bonus Workout! Try this Triple 5 Bodyweight Leg Workout in addition to working your upper body!
How many diamond push ups would a 14 years old that is physically fit should he be abe to do?
-Todd
Hi Todd, the older I get the more bodyweight exercise I do as it is much more gentle on my creaky old joints. It is excellent for strength and helps with issues such as arthritis, bad knees and back.
A quick question. What do you feel would be a reasonable number of superman push-ups for a 70 year old to be able to do?
Cheers – John
Hi John,
A reasonable number is whatever you got when you have absolutely nothing left ;). Make sure that number keeps going up every month.
– Todd
I’m only 12 and i can do a MUY THAI PUSHUP
Way to go, Erik, that’s really impressive.
– Todd
Thanks TODD KUSLIKIS
You’re welcome Erik Lawrence 🙂
– Todd
That’s really impressive, Erik. Can’t imagine what you’ll be able to do in 10 years 🙂
– Todd
Planche and 90 degree are the hardest. Aztec is really easy for me
Hi Ryan,
That’s really impressive. Got a video of you doing the Aztec?
Hello, can anyone tell me how can I increase explosiveness of my push-ups? I have been doing 130-150 push-ups every other day for year and a half, but I would like to “step the game up” a little bit and start doing these extreme push-ups. So I need some advice on what kind of push-ups I should be doing in order to be able to do some extreme push-ups. All I can do is 1 clap push-ups and walking jump push-ups out of all “tougher” ones.
Thank you in advance.
I’m trying to get back to muscle tone up . I’m not sure what is the best solution for excerzing my leg muscle without injuring my knees . .
Hi John,
Bodyweight squats are very gentle on the kneed, just make sure to stop immediately if you feel any discomfort.
– Todd
You should’ve included 1 armed ring pushups. I’m 13 and was messing around one day (I actually do calisthenics and have for a year), and did a pushup with one arm on one of my rings. It was excruciatingly difficult, but I did it!
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll consider this one if I ever decide to update the article.
– Todd
I would have the Kuki pushup on this list instead of the jump walking ones, it’s a combo of the flying superman and behind the back clap.
Please advise: I always feel very insecure and scared to do the handstand. Afraid I will fall or something. How to overcome this?
B.t.w: instead of the handstand pushups I do the pike pushups.
I saw this link looking for Omni Set push ups, great find.
Glad you like it Reynaldo!
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there are missing at least 2, the “one arm tiger bend superman push-up” and the “one arm planche push-up”
Hey Todd,
A fine display of some brute and manly “relative strength” with all the varieties of push-ups. Aside from how cool the human body looks doing these kind of exercises, I’m just wondering if you put out any regression exercises leading up to the big ones. Although cool looking, most men would fall short in performing perhaps two regression levels below what you’ve shown in the videos. Just wondering if there are progressions leading up to these exercises?
Otherwise, a fabulous display of body weight mastery and relative strength. Well done!!
J.L
Spectrum Therapy & Fitness
Hi JL,
Not sure what you mean by regression but in terms of progression, yes there are lots of them. I’ll have to create a post on them at some point. 🙂
Sorry, by regression I meant an easier version, or exercise variation one should do to prepare for the more difficult one.
Thanks
Hey man i was wondering how you can work up to those? Any suggestions?
where are full extension push-ups and one handed full extension push-ups?
What’s about combo of exercise number 6 and 2? 90 degrees pushup on two fingers each hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmdCAb9lizU
also 4 reps on 3fingers each hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEpPvz79SRY
Yes, I’ve been in touch to interview this guy. He’s pretty sweet! Thanks for the video links. 🙂
I’m 14 and I’m almost able to do every push-up, only ain’t able to do planche and 90 degrees pushup. (At 13 I was able to do 30 push-up with 20% fat, it seems my body capacity comes in the family)
Wow! That’s super impressive Afonso!!
I can do 5 of each and i m only 15.
Way to go Dominik!!
hindu pushups are the most effective pushups in the world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ndOPrcoUt8
They are pretty sweet Ajay!
Very impressive! I have to call the technique on those Muy Thai pushups though – backside way too high.
Yep, certainly not perfect form but still pretty impressive. 🙂
The Azteq pushup is sick! The dude must be proud to be able to do that.. esp. on camera!
Todd, please tell me which ones out of these ten you can do.I can do the walking jump but nothing else
I can get to about 7 and then I struggle with the rest.
Woah! I don’t come anywhere close to the muay thai pushup. But to think you can do a triple clap… AMAZING!!!!!!!
Todd, you should make a list of ten hardest handstands!
Great idea Devon!
What about the “One arm no legs pushup”? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_cc_nRQlec
Check it out there look freaking insane 🙂
Yeah, falling on your face is insane. What?
LOL! That’s hilarious.
It’s almost the same as one arm push-up, it isn’t that hard
Hi Jacob,
Its totally fine to alternate between upper and lower its just going to be easier. If that is your level than go ahead and stick with it. :). Hmmm… yes you are right, diamond is harder than heart push up. Never caught that. There is a 2nd version of this workout that I just wrote about. You can check it out here.
You are very welcome!!
you should have put one arm handstand push up
Yes, that is definitely a tough one Devon! I have that on my 100 hardest body weight exercises
Yes, I checked that list out first and before this list.Wow, these are hard but waling jump is easy.
WOW! The Aztec push – ups look insane! Have to try them out!
Yeah they are. I still can’t do them but are getting close! Good luck Nik!
I can barely even touch my feet jumping!
im only 10 and i can do twelve 2 finger push ups!
with improper form…
At 12 years of age, YOU SHOULD NOT BE DOING THEM. Your joints are not mature enough yet, and can be permanently damaged, not just your finger joints but your elbow joints as well. BTW, that is why some handling of a baseball by Little League pitchers is forbidden; permanent joint damage (See: Breaking Ball Pitch, Little League Elbow damage).
Im 12 and I started 1 thumb push ups at 8 he’s fine I have no damage at all instead I had an extremely healthy bosy, all you need is proper stretching and form and you can do it
you are strong but i do number one and two fingers rickyjblair
Hi Ricky,
That’s really impressive. Got any videos of that?
– Todd
bull crap alert
Ya that’s a lie it not hard but your ten I’m surprised if your 60 pounds yet
my name is Elijah, I can do 700 normal push ups and I am a runner
CAP