@Nurpur India,
Published on January 18, 2026,
By Pawan,
Think you’re strong enough? Learn what is the hardest pushup to do, what makes it so extreme, and how you can train to perform the world’s toughest upper-body strength move.
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| What is the Hardest Pushup to do? |
Highlight Key Points
- The Planche Pushup is widely recognized as the hardest pushup in the world.
- It requires full-body strength, balance, and extreme shoulder control.
- Progressions like pseudo planche and planche leans build the foundation safely.
- Patience, consistency, and joint conditioning are essential for progress.
- Training for this move enhances overall strength, coordination, and athletic performance.
What is the Hardest Pushup to do? -Can You Handle the Hardest Pushup in the World?
Discover what is the hardest pushup to do, why it challenges even professional athletes, how to build the strength to achieve it, and the progressions you need to master before attempting it.
Think you’re strong enough? Learn what is the hardest pushup to do, what makes it so extreme, and how you can train to perform the world’s toughest upper-body strength move.
Introduction- What is the Hardest Pushup to do?
Pushups are among the most classic exercises in any fitness routine. They build upper-body strength, sculpt the chest and shoulders, and can be done anywhere. But not all pushups are created equal — some push the limits of human strength, control, and balance.
If you’ve ever wondered what is the hardest pushup to do, get ready to explore the move that separates casual gym-goers from true strength legends.
Understanding Pushup Difficulty
The harder a pushup variation gets, the more it demands from your muscles, joints, and balance. The difficulty typically depends on:
- Load distribution: Less contact with the ground means more weight supported by fewer muscles.
- Range of motion: Deeper movements increase strength demands and flexibility.
- Core stability: The extreme pushup variations target not only arms and chest but also the abs, back, and even the legs.
- Explosiveness or balance: Plyometric or balance-based pushups test control and reactivity.
So, What Is the Hardest Pushup to Do?
The answer most experts agree on: the Planche Pushup. This move is not just a demonstration of strength — it’s a complete test of muscular control, gymnastic precision, and full-body coordination.
In a Planche Pushup, the athlete lifts the entire body parallel to the ground using only the hands, maintaining a completely horizontal position as they lower the chest and push back up — without letting the feet or knees touch the ground.
In other words, your arms and shoulders support 100% of your body weight. A true planche pushup looks almost like you’re floating above the floor.
Why the Planche Pushup Is So Hard
The Planche Pushup demands incredible strength from:
- Shoulders and chest to support and press the body.
- Core and lower back to stabilize and maintain horizontal alignment.
- Wrists and forearms to handle intense pressure and balance.
Even gymnasts take years to perfect this skill — it’s not just a test of muscle, but of precision, patience, and neural muscle control.
Also Read : What Do Decline Pushups Work? The Forgotten Move That Explodes Upper Chest Gains Fast!,
Progressions to Reach the Hardest Pushup
Before you attempt the Planche Pushup, it’s crucial to master several foundational steps. Each progression builds strength and balance for the next stage:
- Regular Pushups: Build endurance and chest strength.
- Pseudo Planche Pushups: Hands rotated outward slightly, leaning forward to shift more weight onto arms.
- Tucked Planche Holds: Knees tucked close to chest while supporting yourself on your hands to train balance.
- Planche Lean Pushups: Gradually extend legs while leaning forward, increasing bodyweight pressure.
- Full Planche Holds: Achieve a static horizontal position before adding pushup motion.
Common Mistakes and Safety Tips
Mastering the hardest pushup requires time and patience. Here’s what you must avoid:
- Rushing progression: Training too quickly leads to wrist and shoulder injuries.
- Poor wrist mobility: Always warm up wrists before beginning planche training.
- Weak scapular control: Keep your shoulder blades stable to protect joints and build power.
- Imbalanced core strength: A weak midsection makes the planche almost impossible — train abs and lower back consistently.
- Overtraining: Give your body recovery time between sessions to strengthen tendons and ligaments safely.
How to Train for the Hardest Pushup
A weekly strength plan focused on full-body control will move you closer to the Planche Pushup.
Workout Focus Areas:
- Planche leans and holds (balance and endurance)
- Handstand pushups (shoulder and triceps overload)
- Hollow body holds (core stability)
- Resistance band-assisted planche holds (technique training)
- Wrist conditioning (build resilience and prevent injury)
Combining these movements with a consistent stretching routine will help you stay mobile and prevent overuse pain.
Also Read : You Won’t Believe the Results! Here’s How to Do Decline Pushups at Home for a Stronger Chest and Shoulders,
Alternative Extremely Hard Pushups
Although the Planche Pushup holds the crown, several others push human strength limits too:
- One-Arm Pushup: Balance and stability challenge; isolates one side of the body.
- Superman Pushup: Full upper-body explosiveness.
- Hindu Pushup: Increases mobility with dynamic chest and back engagement.
- Clap or Triple Clap Pushup: Fast-twitch and plyometric power training.
- 90-Degree Handstand Pushup: Gymnast-level shoulder and core control.
Each of these variations strengthens different muscle groups, and mastering them paves the way toward the hardest pushup in the world.
The Mental and Physical Challenge
The Planche Pushup is more than a move — it’s a milestone of physical mastery and mental toughness. It teaches discipline, patience, and awareness of your body’s limits. For many athletes, achieving this pushup represents years of training and resilience.
Also Read : Stop Doing Push-Ups Wrong! Learn 'How to Do Decline Push Ups for Beginners' Like the Pros,
Bottom Line
So, what is the hardest pushup to do? Without a doubt — the Planche Pushup. It’s a combination of raw power, balance, and total-body coordination only achieved through disciplined practice.
Even if you never perform one perfectly, training toward it will dramatically increase your overall strength, control, and body awareness.
Keep pushing — literally — and remember: every regular pushup is one step closer to mastering one of the most advanced strength moves in the world.
Read More : What is the Hardest Pushup to do? -Can You Handle the Hardest Pushup in the World?