The increased muscle mass coupled with a decreased fat percentage results in a higher body weight, potentially making pull-ups challenging. The additional bodyweight can make it more difficult to pull up their body against gravity, especially when their training regimens do not prioritize exercises like pull-ups.
So, in a nutshell, pull-ups are fantastic for building muscle, especially in the back and arms. They're like the VIP guests at the muscle-building party. But for a truly sculpted physique, you'll want to bring along some compound exercises, isolation exercises, and a dash of progressive overload.
The king himself Arnold Schwarzenegger said that doing 50 pull-ups a day played a huge part in developing his monster back.
You see, when you gain muscle, you're gaining overall body weight (lean mass). So, getting bigger and stronger legs, glutes, chest, arms, etc. works against your pull-up ability. This explains why some people make great gains in muscle and strength on just about every exercise but struggle with 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.
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.
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.
Some people are strong when they lift weights but can't effectively perform pull-ups, push-ups, lunges, burpees, and endurance exercise in general. Previous injuries like a torn rotator cuff, a torn labrum, or torn biceps that keep them from hanging from objects for extended amounts of time.
It is extremely rare to come across someone who has the capability to perform 30 strict pull-ups.
If you can't do pull-ups, one of these five reasons may be the cause: Not being able to hold onto the bar through lack of grip strength. A lack of latissimus dorsi (large back muscle), spinal erector (lower back stabilizer muscles), abdominal muscle, and biceps strength.
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.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's dad made him do 200 sit-ups and push-ups every morning as a kid, he said. He wasn't allowed to eat breakfast until he'd worked out, and this made exercise a daily routine.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Just Shared His Heaviest Lift PRs
"My best bench press was 525, my best deadlift was 710, and my best squat was 610," he said.
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. If you want to change that, you should take a look at your diet.
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.
#3 – GIVES YOU SIX PACK ABS
Many don't realize it, but during the performance of a strict pull-up, your lats, abs and midline have to work together to stabilize the shoulders AND lift the lower body. In terms of building your six-pack abs, strict pull-ups give you a lot of bang for your buck!
A rock climber will generally be able to do more pull-ups than your average gym-goer. Assuming that they train grip and static hanging like most climbers, I'd say that the average number of pull-ups is around 15–20.
The increased muscle mass coupled with a decreased fat percentage results in a higher body weight, potentially making pull-ups challenging. The additional bodyweight can make it more difficult to pull up their body against gravity, especially when their training regimens do not prioritize exercises like pull-ups.
According to various sources, on average: A man can do at least 8 pull-ups. A woman can do 1 to 3 pull-ups.
In general, pull-ups tend to be best for improving strength relative to pull-downs. Whether you are a full-blown bodybuilder or a complete beginner, lat pull-downs work great whereas pull-up exercises help you improve your overall strength. A big difference between pull-ups and lat pull-downs is weight.
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.
Marine Corps: They are widely regarded as having the most stringent and challenging physical requirements. The Marines focus intensively on physical conditioning and combat, requiring more from their recruits in terms of strength and stamina.