The Push-Up Challenge is Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event pushing for better mental health for all Australians. 

Participants take on the challenge of doing 3,249 push-ups over 24 days in June - representative of the number of lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2022.

The event focuses on reducing the stigma around mental illness and participants can also fundraise to support one of three beneficiaries – headspace, Lifeline or The Push for Better Foundation. Registration is free and fundraising is optional.

headspace Syndal is raising funds to support projects such as art groups for young people.

headspace Accredited Exercise Physiologist Mary Van Dyk says if you don’t think you can manage all the push-ups, you can elect to halve your target.

“It’s about doing what you can and helping raise awareness, more than anything,” she says.

Mary has also compiled a range of alternative exercises so everyone can take part.

“I’ve put together some ideas for different exercises for different ability levels. It could be something as simple as star jumps, planks, lunges or whatever you can manage.

“Exercise is such an important part of our lives, and it's easy to make it a part of your daily routine in some way.”

Mary suggests mixing it up to keep the challenge fun and achievable. For example:

10 x push-ups (floor, desk, wall)

10 x squats

10 x good mornings

10 x high knee marches

10 x reverse lunge

10 x push-ups

10 x star jumps / taps

10 x mountain climbers

10 x Russian twists / sit-ups

10 x hops

8 x wall sits (8 seconds) 

You can go solo, team up and push together, or simply donate to support young people in our area: https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/beneficiary/headspace-Syndal