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).
According to various sources, on average: A man can do at least 8 pull-ups. A woman can do 1 to 3 pull-ups.
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.
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.
I agree that 3 sets of 10 can be effective, especially for beginners, but you have to remember that anything will be effective for a while, especially the first time you try it.
Are Pull Ups Good For Abs? Yes, pull ups are good for abs. Lifting our body weight requires significant strength.
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.
The minimum expectations are as follows: Male: 2 Pull Ups. 35 Sit Ups (2 Minutes)
This is what separates SEALs from all other US Special Operations Forces. By the end of Second Phase, candidates must complete timed 2-mile swim with fins in 80 minutes, the 4-mile run with boots in 31 minutes, a 3.5-mile and 5.5-mile swim.
It's been said that 95% of the world can't do 10 full strict pull-ups! Let's look at the numbers. 35% of the US is overweight and therefore we will assume that they can't do a pull-up. That leaves 65%.
In other words, 53.8% of Americans self-report being unable to perform 10 straight pushups, whereas a minority (46.2%) report being able to.
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.
What Percentage of Men Can Bench 225? A two-plate bench is relatively uncommon. Only 17% of men who completed my survey had ever benched 225 pounds, and only 1% had reached the next milestone of 315 pounds.
Pull-ups can be an effective way to burn fat and build muscle. They help you burn calories while also building lean muscle mass. Furthermore, they can help improve your posture, balance, and coordination.
According to ExRx.net, the 50th percentile for pull-ups for males at age 10 is just one repetition. This number increases to three repetitions at age 13 and seven repetitions at age 17 and older. In order to hit the 95th percentile at age 17, a young man would need to perform 15 pull-ups.
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.
However, fit and active men should be able to do at least 4 to 8 pull-ups in one set. Fit and active women should be able to do at least 1 to 3 pull-ups in one set. Any number above 8 for men and 3 for women is very good. You are in the highest percentile if you can do 12 to 15 pull-ups or more with good form.
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.
Doing 100 push-ups a day can help build muscle mass, strength, and endurance, especially in your core and upper body. But it can also increase your risk of muscle imbalances, injury, and overtraining. It's important to focus on proper form when practicing push-ups.
Pull-ups and chin-ups might be challenging, but they are extremely effective. These exercises activate the lats, traps, and rhomboids, contributing to overall back width and thickness.
To be considered strong or elite, lighter men should be able to do 26–39 pull ups while heavier men closer to 220 pounds (100 kg) should do 20–28. As men age past 45, the number of pull ups they'll be able to do will gradually decrease. An intermediate or average 60-year-old man may only be able to do up to 4 pull ups.