hundred pushups

Think you've got your regular pushups mastered? The Perfect Pushup Elite adds a surprisingly different challenge. I use these rotating handles myself, and I've been impressed by how much more demanding a familiar exercise can feel.

They're not essential for completing the Hundred Pushups training program—you can make excellent progress with nothing more than the floor. But if you're looking to mix up your workouts, the Perfect Pushup Elite is an interesting addition.

What makes the Perfect Pushup different?

Instead of placing your palms flat on the floor, you grip two handles mounted on rotating bases. As you lower and press back up, the handles can turn with your arms. That movement takes some getting used to, and controlling the handles adds another element to each repetition.

The raised grips also allow a potentially deeper pushup than you'd get with your hands flat on the floor. That's one reason the exercise can feel tougher—but a deeper range isn't automatically better. Work within a comfortable range and keep your movement controlled.

What I like about them

• An extra challenge: Even if you're comfortable doing standard pushups, the rotating handles make you pay attention to control and technique.
• A different hand position: The handles let you keep your wrists straighter than you might with palms flat on the floor. Comfort varies from person to person, though.
• More workout variety: They're a useful way to change things up without needing a complicated home gym setup.
• Compact equipment: Two handles are easy to fit into a home workout routine.

How I'd use them with the Hundred Pushups program

If you're following the six-week plan, I'd keep your prescribed sets of regular pushups as the priority, especially if your goal is to complete 100 consecutive floor pushups. Try the rotating handles separately at first, perhaps for a few controlled repetitions after an easier session. There's no need to match your normal rep count straight away.

Start with a stable surface, keep your body in a straight line, and avoid forcing the rotation or depth. If the movement causes wrist, elbow or shoulder pain, stop and reassess rather than pushing through it.

My verdict

I've enjoyed using the Perfect Pushup Elite and I'm impressed by the extra challenge it brings to an exercise I've done countless times. It's not a shortcut to 100 pushups, and you certainly don't need it to follow this site’s program. But for someone who already enjoys pushups and wants a fresh variation, it's well worth considering.

New to the program? Start with the initial test.

Disclosure: This page contains an Amazon affiliate link. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.