Introduction

If you’re preparing for the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) or its updated version known as the Army Fitness Test (AFT), one of the essential events to master is the hand-release push-up. This event not only tests your muscular endurance and core strength training, but it also contributes directly to your total score in the overall test.

Whether you’re going through Basic Training, enrolled in ROTC programs, or part of a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) that demands peak physical condition, understanding the ACFT Push-Up Score Chart is vital. This article breaks down scoring standards, technique, common mistakes, training tips, and how your push-up performance influences your military career.

What Is the Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP) Event?

The hand-release push-up is the upper-body event of the ACFT, designed to test total-body control, core strength, and upper-body stamina. It’s more challenging than the standard push-up due to the required hand lift at the bottom of each rep.

Key Details:

• Duration: 2 minutes
• Form: Lower your body until the chest, hips, and thighs touch the ground. Briefly lift your hands off the ground and then push back up.
• Rest Position: Only the front leaning rest position is allowed for resting; you cannot rest lying on the ground.

This event is typically conducted on an outdoor course, often alongside other events like the sprint-drag-carry and plank hold, simulating conditions faced during obstacle courses and missions.

Understanding Army Push-Up Standards and Score Variations

When looking at the ACFT Push-Up Score Chart, it’s important to understand how scores can differ based on age, gender, and standards across the Army. Many soldiers also search for push up chart by age or the older APFT push up score chart to compare how the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) differs from the old Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).

The Army ACFT push-up standards now use the hand-release push-up variation, which focuses more on upper-body endurance and proper form. These Army hand release push-up charts break down the expected repetitions for both male and female soldiers across different age brackets. For example, the Army push-up standards for females are adjusted for age to ensure fairness and accuracy in evaluating overall fitness.

If you’re wondering how many hand release pushups the Army requires to earn a passing or perfect score, the answer depends on your age group and gender the Army hand release push-up score is based on a sliding scale that rewards consistent strength and form. Reviewing your company or unit’s average performance can also help you gauge where you stand on the ACFT push-up score chart.

ACFT Push-Up Score Chart (2025 Scoring Standards)

The following table shows how many push-ups are required to pass (earn 60 points) or max out (earn 100 points) the event, based on age and gender. These values are approximate based on recent scoring scale updates.

Use this chart to set your personal training goals and track your progress.

Note: If you’re in a combat MOS, you’ll be required to follow sex-neutral standards by 2026. That means the same push-up requirements will apply to both men and women in those roles, although they’ll still be age-adjusted.

How ACFT Push-Up Scoring Works

The ACFT is scored on a 100-point scale per event, and you need a minimum score of 60 in each to pass. Your total score must be:

• 300 points for non-combat roles
• 360+ points for physically demanding units and combat MOSs

The hand-release push-up is one of the five events:

1. Deadlift with hex bar
2. Standing Power Throw (removed in 2025 AFT)
3. HRP (Push-Ups)
4. Sprint-Drag-Carry
5. 2-Mile Run

A failing score in any single event regardless of your total means you fail the test.

Age, Gender, and Category-Based Score Differences

Here’s how requirements vary:

• Younger soldiers typically need more push-ups for the same score.
• Women in non-combat roles have lower minimums and maximums.
• Combat categories have sex-neutral standards, meaning males and females have identical requirements for the same age group.

This scoring flexibility ensures fairness while maintaining readiness expectations across units and age brackets.

Common Push-Up Mistakes That Cost You Points

Failing to meet standards during the test can result in disqualified reps or even test failure. Avoid these mistakes:

• Not lifting hands fully off the ground at the bottom.
• Hips sagging or rising above proper alignment (violates front leaning rest).
• Not locking out elbows at the top of the rep.
• Pausing outside the designated rest position.
• Fatigue from other fitness tests affecting form.

Training Tips to Improve Your Push-Up Score

Getting better at HRPs takes consistency, strength, and form-focused training. Here’s how to prepare:

• Build Muscular Endurance: Incorporate pyramid push-up workouts, incline push-ups, and tricep dips.
• Practice Test Conditions: Time yourself for 2-minute sets under full test rules.
• Use the Start Line-Finish Line Mindset: Treat every session like a mission from the start line to finish line.
• Incorporate Core Work: Add planks, bird dogs, and flutter kicks to your routine.
• Utilize Medicine Ball Drills: Develop explosive push strength and balance with ball slams and push passes.

Stay consistent with Unit Physical Training, and ask your trainers to spot check your form using official standards.

Push-Up Event in Military Life and Career Impact

• High scores reflect strong aerobic endurance and upper-body control skills needed in combat scenarios.
• Good HRP performance boosts your total score, which can influence promotions, awards, and assignment to elite units.
• In case of a medical condition, the Army provides alternative assessments or profiles, but HRP is a core indicator of fitness unless formally exempted.

ACFT vs APFT Push-Up Standards

The previous test, APFT, required standard push-ups (no hand release) and scored them differently. With the shift to ACFT and now AFT, the hand-release version adds complexity:

The hand-release push-up is more difficult but aligns better with real-world military life and tasks requiring upper body and core strength.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the minimum number of push-ups needed to pass the HRP event?
A: Depending on your age and gender, it’s typically between 8 to 15 reps to earn 60 points.

Are the score standards the same for men and women?
A: Not always. Non-combat MOS roles follow age/gender-based scoring. Combat roles are shifting to sex-neutral standards.

What happens if I fail the push-up event but pass the rest?
A: You fail the entire ACFT. You must pass all five events individually.

How often are these standards updated?
A: The Army reviews standards yearly. The latest ACFT score chart updates occurred in 2025 under the AFT transition.

Can I train at home for push-ups?
A: Absolutely. Use bodyweight circuits, online guides, and even obstacle course simulations with household equipment.

Conclusion

Understanding the ACFT Push-Up Score Chart is a crucial step for any soldier or cadet preparing for success in the Army’s evolving physical fitness landscape. From learning proper hand-release push-up form to meeting your minimum score, every detail matters especially if you’re aiming to join physically demanding units.

Train smart, follow Army standards, and exceed expectations from the start line to finish line. Your performance in the HRP event can set the tone for your entire military career so take it seriously, stay consistent, and push yourself beyond limits.