The Push Up Challenge 2026

Are you game to take on 3,307 push-ups in 24 days Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges? 

headspace Knox & Lilydale rally the support of the community in their push for better mental health this June.  

This June, headspace Knox & Lilydale are encouraging locals to push for better mental health by participating in Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge. 

Now in its tenth year, participants will take on 3,307 push-ups across 24 days in June, to remember and honour the 3,307 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2024. 

From 3 to 26 June, over 200,000 Australians from all ages and walks of life will participate in the event which engages people in mental health through connection, physical activity and education.  

headspace Knox & Lilydale Community Engagement Coordinator Jasmine Scampton said, “The Push-Up Challenge is a great opportunity for our community to talk about their mental health, learn how to best support each other and recognise when they might need to put their own hand up for help. Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges locals have had so much fun pushing up and learning about mental health with us for the past few years, and we can’t wait to do it all again in 2026! ”   

“More people than ever before are reaching out to headspace for help and support, and the money raised through The Push-Up Challenge will help us continue to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Knox, Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges,”

Participants of all ages and abilities will do push-ups while learning about mental health, with the number of daily push-ups changing to reflect a vital mental health fact. And if completing 3,307 push-ups feels out of reach, participants can set their own push-up goal, which can also be done as sit-ups, squats or tailored exercises, with progress tracked through a dedicated app. 

Founder of The Push-Up Challenge, Nick Hudson, said, “As we enter our tenth year, I’m incredibly proud that The Push-Up Challenge has encouraged over 1 million Australians to take a more proactive approach to their fitness and mental wellbeing, raising more than $60 million for mental health services in the process - and we can’t wait to watch those numbers continue to grow. What started as a simple fitness challenge has grown into a fun way for every Australian to connect with their community, get fit, learn about mental health and honour the lives tragically lost to suicide.” 

headspace Knox & Lilydale are encouraging people of all ages, local businesses, gyms, clubs and schools in the area to join Team headspace Knox and/or Lilydale.