Retired Navy seal. David Goggins is described as the toughest men on the planet, holding the pullup record 4,000 pullups in 17 hours is also an ultra-marathon runner with more than 60 races.
What are the pull up standards for men in military fitness tests? For tests like the Navy SEALs, men must do at least 10 pull ups. Top performers can do 15-20, showing their high fitness level.
For most fitness enthusiasts, being able to perform 10-15 pull-ups is often regarded as a strong benchmark. Athletes and advanced trainers might aim for 20 or more. Keep in mind that form and technique are also important; quality matters as much as quantity.
There are no definitive guidelines, but the number of pull-ups that are generally considered strong is 12+ for men and 8+ for women. If you can do this many, you're considered an advanced athlete. However, you are still considered an above-average athlete if you can do more than 8 (for men) or more than 3 (for women).
Average Pull Up Counts for Different Fitness Levels
Those at an intermediate level can do around 14 pull-ups, showing good technique and strength. Advanced lifters can do about 25 pull-ups, and elite lifters can do 37 or more. These numbers help people know their level and set realistic goals for getting better.
Wojciech Sobierajski managed 4,083 pull-ups in 24 hours to eclipse the previous record of 4,030 held by David Goggins, an American motivational speaker and retired U.S. Navy SEAL.
David Goggins, once overweight and stuck in a dead- end job, transformed into the 'toughest man alive. ' From Navy SEAL to ultramarathon legend, his story is a testament to grit, discipline, and relentless self- improvement. #davidgoggins #navyseals #motivational.
In 2005, David Goggins decided to take on an ultramarathon challenge which involved running over 3100 miles (5000 km) across the United States from San Francisco to New York City without taking any days off – a feat that no one had ever achieved before.
The idea is that when your mind tells you that you are done and can't go any further, you are only at about 40 percent of your actual capacity."Push for that extra 60% when your mind is telling you to quit, that you're "at your limit." Because you likely aren't.
The minimum expectations are as follows: Male: 2 Pull Ups. 35 Sit Ups (2 Minutes)
How much does a Navy Seal make? As of Mar 14, 2025, the average annual pay for a Navy Seal in the United States is $98,176 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $47.20 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,888/week or $8,181/month.
Achieving a full set of 20 pull-ups isn't something everyone can do when starting out. Only doing a couple of “ugly” reps, say 5 or 10 isn't going to get your muscles going too much either. Doing around 20 reps per set sounds like you'd be taking things seriously though.
There is not enough evidence to prove that pull-ups, especially for adults, can directly increase your height.
Even doing 1 strict pull up sets you above the average. Doing 5, or 10? That's huge.
Sit-ups are great for your abs, and they don't require special equipment or gym membership. Other core exercises work, too, from crunches to bridges. If you're wondering how many sit-ups you should do a day, the answer is the same for all: about 10 to 12 reps in three sets.
In 2013, David Goggins broke the Guinness World Records title for most pull-ups in a 24 hour period. 4030 pull-ups in 17 hours, 16 minutes.