What percentage of people can do a pullup?

Author: Trudie Labadie  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 8, 2025

The percentage of Americans who can do a pull-up varies significantly across different demographics. According to various studies, approximately 17.4% of adult men can perform at least one pull-up, while the percentage of adult women capable of doing a single pull-up is considerably lower, at about 4.9%.

Can the average person do a pull-up?

According to various sources, on average: A man can do at least 8 pull-ups. A woman can do 1 to 3 pull-ups.

How many pull-ups can a navy seal do?

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.

Is everyone capable of doing a pull-up?

Most people cannot do a pull-up, as it requires a combination of upper body strength, grip strength, and body weight control. According to fitness studies, a significant portion of the population, especially those who do not engage in regular strength training, may struggle to perform even one pull-up.

Are pull-ups impressive?

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).

105 Pull Ups - WORLD RECORD - (No Hanging Rest & All in One Set)

How many pullups is elite?

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.

Will 10 pull-ups a day do anything?

Improved grip strength and functional fitness. 'Consistent pull-up practice strengthens your muscles responsible for gripping. Grip strength assists in everything from opening a jar to racquet sports, climbing, and lifting heavy weights,' explains Cowan.

Why is a pull-up so hard?

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.

Are pull-ups harder for tall people?

Ask any tall Marine, and they'll tell you pull-ups suck for them, too. Once again, it comes down to the longer arms and greater distance traveled.

What is the 60% rule Navy Seal?

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.

How many pull-ups can David Goggins do?

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 is the average force a person can pull?

person with good upper body strength can push or pull 100 lbs. of horizontal force for a very short period of time. The horizontal force (push/pull) needed to move a cart loaded with 1500 lbs. of steel may be 300 lbs.

Can some people never do pull-ups?

The answer is simple: You can't pull your body weight in a vertical pull motion. Your upper body muscles aren't strong enough to carry the rest of your body from a hang. Don't be alarmed, it's not permanent. Most people who can't do pull ups are just at the start of their fitness journey.

What is the hardest exercise in the world?

“The hardest exercise to master regardless of fitness level, in my opinion, would be an exercise called the clean and jerk,” says personal trainer Mandy Wong Oultram. “It's tough because there are so many components to it and each part connects to the next. If you get one part wrong, the whole exercise can break down.”

Are pull-ups harder if you're heavy?

The more you put on the scale, the more you have to pull up with every pull-up, that's logical. It depends on how much non-functional mass you have on your body. A high body fat percentage is an indication that you probably have a few unnecessary kilos on your ribs, which make every pull-up harder for you.

Are pullups or chinups harder?

Because of the overhand grip, your lats will do the majority of the work since they are getting less help from the biceps. Why are pull ups harder than chin ups? The wider overhand grip used in pull ups places a greater demand on the lats with less help from the biceps, making this move feel more challenging.

Can pull-ups build abs?

Are Pull Ups Good For Abs? Yes, pull ups are good for abs. Lifting our body weight requires significant strength.

Will pull-up increase height?

There remains a sense of ambiguity surrounding the question, “can pull-ups increase height?” To be clear, engaging in pull-ups does not directly lead to a growth in stature. However, this exercise aids greatly in refining your posture and creating the illusory effect of increased height.

How many pullups did David Goggins do?

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.

Can the average girl do a pull-up?

Most women need to train before they can get their first pull-up. It requires solid upper body strength, and it's a movement that doesn't get a ton of cross-training in our normal daily lives! Several exercises will help build the foundational strength you need.

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