BLUF: Airmen will have one minute to complete as many push ups as they are able. A complete push up is defined as moving your body all the way to the up position and then bringing you arms down to at least a 90 degree angle.

Reference: The reference for the Air Force pushup standards are outlined in Air Force Instruction 36-2905 which can be found on our reference page. This information was verified current as of December 2018.

Air Force Push-Up Verbal Instructions

Air Force Push-Up Verbal Instructions. The Test Administrator must read the following instructions to all Airmen and demonstrate the proper technique, or show the Air Force instructional video. If the instructional video is shown, instructions reading and demonstration is not required. The push-up is one assessment of muscular fitness. Place your palms or fists on the floor, hands will be slightly wider than shoulder width apart with your elbows fully extended. Your feet may be no more than 12 inches apart and should not be supported, braced or crossed. Your body should maintain a rigid head to heel form. This is the up/starting position. Begin by lowering your body to the ground until your upper arms are at least parallel to the floor (elbows bent at 90 degrees) then return to the up position (arms fully extended but not locked). This is one repetition. Your chest may touch, but not rest or bounce on the floor. If you do not come down parallel to the floor, the push-up will not count. Resting can only be done in the up position. You may remove your hands or feet from the floor or bridge or bow your back, but only in the up/rest position, resting any other body part on the floor is not allowed. If resting occurs in the down position, the push-up portion of test will be terminated and your score will be based on the correct number of push-ups performed up to that point. Your breathing should be as normal as possible. Make sure you do not hold your breath. You have one minute to perform as many correct push-ups as you are able. Your counter will count the correct number of push-ups aloud. Your counter will not count incorrect push-ups. Your counter will tell you what you are doing wrong and will repeat the last number of correct push-ups until you correct the error. The total number of correct pushups in one minute is recorded as your score.