Point your toes for extra credit. Hold this position at the top of the pullup for as long as you can, then lower down into the negative. For the negative, slowly lower down from the hold position with a 3-5 second count. (This is considered the eccentric part of the movement.)
Aim for 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps. This helps build strength in the muscles used for pull-ups. Jump or step up to the top position of a pull-up, then lower yourself down slowly (eccentric movement). Perform 3-4 sets of 5-8 reps, focusing on a slow descent (3-5 seconds).
Pull Up Standards Based on Bodyweight and Age
For example, the U.S. Marines want men to do at least 3 pull-ups. The Army Rangers need 6 pull-ups, aiming for 12 for the best performance. The Navy SEALs require 8 pull-ups, aiming for 15 to 20. For kids, pull up standards vary by age.
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
They can manage about 5 pull-ups, showing basic upper-body strength. 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.
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.
Above-average strength and fitness are indicated by being able to do: 13 to 17 pull-up reps or 18 consecutive pull-ups for men. 5 to 9 pull-up reps or 7 consecutive pull-ups for women.
You may have an assistant extend an arm across the front of your body to help prevent swinging. The minimum standard for passing this test during the IST is two pull-ups.
Another reason why you can't do more pull-ups is lack of grip strength. Even if you have the strength to do a few pull-ups, but it fails because you can't hold onto the bar, you won't make progress because you're not reaching your potential. This means you need to work on your grip strength.
Your lower trunk holds the largest muscles in your body, your glutes and legs. The muscles of your upper trunk, your arms and back, have less mass. It takes a ton of effort to generate enough power against gravity to move all that posterior chain weight through space using only your upper body. Basically, you're heavy.
Tip. The Navy SEALs fitness test requires you to run 15 miles in 10.5 minutes; swim 500 yards in 12.5 minutes; complete 50 pushups in two minutes; 50 curl-ups in two minutes; and 10 pull-ups in two minutes.
As a general practice, doing a 3 sets of 8 reps routine with 60-90 seconds rest between sets is a good place to start to stimulate the muscles to grow. You can then progress to 3 sets of 9 reps, 3 sets of 10, and building up all the way to 3 sets of 15 repetitions.
You can increase the number of pull-ups you can do by improving your strength endurance. To do this, perform more than 12 reps per set for a few weeks. Improving your strength endurance will also increase your performance in the lower repetition range.
The most pull ups in 24 hours (male) is 10,001, and was achieved by Truett Hanes (USA) in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, from 1 to 2 February 2025.
But during his weight loss journey, he ramped up his training even further. His typical day involved long, grueling runs, swimming, cycling, and intense weight training. For Goggins, the key to weight loss wasn't just in the gym but in consistently challenging his body.
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.
Because muscle growth only begins in the resting phase after a workout, doing pullups every day inhibits muscle growth.
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.