It never ceases to amaze me how few people have the ability to do one arm pushups. Over the years I’ve only met a couple that can.
I’ve personally had the ability since January 2015.
My First One Arm Pushup
I was with a buddy doing calisthenics one night, and the idea to try a one arm pushup struck him.
Hilariously he fell on his face,and then again a second time.Then it was my turn. At first I too fell on my face,but felt like it was due to not knowing the technique,not because I couldn’t do one. I tried again and got it.Took a rest period. Then tried on the other side, and hit a couple reps there now that I knew the technique. I went back to the first side and repped out. I believe I went 8 with my right arm,and 4 on my left arm that first night.
Requisite Strength
But how did I get the strength for this?
I’d been doing pushups practically daily since 2008, and had a roughly 300 bench at 235. The strength required for this isn’t hard, it’s more of a gymnastic skill than a strength feat.
Run the numbers, a pushup’s resistance is roughly 60% of bodyweight being pressed. Factoring in twist, and comparing my max reps with bodyweight on bench to max reps of one arms I’d say it’s closer to 50% bodyweight on one hand. ( Range of 10-20 reps depending on how/whether I train either) The strength required is a bodyweight bench press. All men should be able to do these.
Round Up
Give it a try,if you fail but have the requisite strength give it another shot, realize you have to twist towards your hand. They’re a fun party trick, and a great tool to have should you ever lack equipment. Build the skill, it’ll come in use.
Once you can do a one arm pushup, it opens your mind to more,to better like a one arm chinup. (Update : or the one handed bar hangs I’ve very much enjoyed doing since summer 2017.)
Get after it.
-J