Which Special Forces Have the Toughest Push-Up Standards?

When it comes to elite military units, physical fitness is a critical component of their selection process. One of the fundamental exercises used to assess upper body endurance and strength is the push-up. Just like pull-ups, different special forces around the world have their own rigorous push-up standards that candidates must meet or exceed to qualify. In this article, we’ll compare the push-up requirements of some of the toughest special forces.

Source : US Army

 

Push-Up Requirements of Elite Special Forces

Special Forces	Country	Minimum Reps	Features
French GIGN	France	100	No time limit specified
Russian Spetsnaz	Russia	60	One set requirement
Rangers	United States	49	Must be done within 2 minutes
British SAS	United Kingdom	45	Must be done within 2 minutes
United States Navy SEALs	United States	42	Must be done within 2 minutes
Australian Commando	Australia	40	Fixed tempo
JTF-2	Canada	40	No rest allowed
Para SF	India	40	Must be done within 1 minute
ROK Special Warfare Command	South Korea	40	Must be done within 2 minutes
ROK UDT / SEAL	South Korea	30	Fixed tempo
KSK	Germany	22	Hand release, within 30 seconds

The unit with the highest number of push-ups is the French GIGN, which, just like the pull-up standards previously discussed, requires candidates to complete at least 100 push-ups. While there are no known time limits or specific rules, performing 100 pushups is already incredibly difficult, even without a time limit.

Next in line is Russia's Spetsnaz, with the second-highest push-up requirement of 60 reps. While there is no time limit, the push-ups must be completed in one set, which demands a high level of muscular endurance.

Special Warfare Command (ROKA) operator in cold weather training : Source

The units with the lowest push-up requirements are South Korea’s UDT SEAL and Germany’s KSK, but both have specific testing methods. South Korea’s UDT SEAL tests push-ups with a fixed tempo, making 30 reps more challenging than it seems. Germany’s KSK requires hand-release push-ups to be completed at a rapid pace within 30 seconds, so even though the minimum is 22 reps, it’s still an intense test that requires significant stamina.

The icon of special forces, the British SAS : Source

Conclusion

Push-up standards vary across special forces, but one thing is clear: achieving elite status requires exceptional physical fitness. Since candidates must perform different exercises with minimal rest, the push-up test is even more demanding than usual. This means that just meeting the minimum isn’t enough—you need to train beyond that standard. If you want to prepare like these elite warriors, push yourself to exceed the minimum by training for at least 50-70 push-ups in a single session.

Would you survive the push-up test of these elite warriors? Let us know in the comments below!