What % of males in America could do 10 pull ups? - Page 2

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What % of males in America could do 10 pull ups? (Page 2 of 4)

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:00:35 AM EDT

[#1]

I can do 11-12 proper dead hang pullups or chinups and I'm in good shape and 19 years old, with a background of high school sports.

Even most of the large strong body building types can't do 10 pullups simply
because of the strength to weight ratio.

I'd say much less than 5 percent. probably less than two or three percent.
Even men in phenomenol shape have a hard time with pullups.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:01:11 AM EDT

[#2]

Pull-ups are easy...

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:04:45 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Pullups aren't a good measure of strength.

I remember the skinniest kid in junior high could do pull ups all day as he weighed nothing, while a very large football player in the same class, who always picked on the poor kid, and could beat him senseless, could barely do five.

I was a skinny kid in junior high and high school and could do pull ups all day!

Fast forward to present day and Karma was very unkind to many of the big guys who gave me hell.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:06:28 AM EDT

[#4]

Proper dead hang fist forward pull ups are fucking hard, I can do like 4-6 depending on the day.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:11:05 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I couldn't. Not sure why, but I have never been able to do pull-ups. I wish I were able to.

When I was a kid, I was small and slightly underweight. Still couldn't do them.

Just curious, have you tried again recently? When I was a kid I couldn't do one single pull up, probably not even half. Few months ago at a buddies house about 4-5 did some pull ups on a bar he had in the door frame for shits and giggles. First time I had even tried since I was about 10, knocked out 8 and stopped because I beat everyone else by at least 5.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:12:23 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
I've never been able to do more than 11 proper dead hang pull-up in my entire Marine Corps career.

Oh, how we miss the glory days of the "kip"...

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:29:04 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've never been able to do more than 11 proper dead hang pull-up in my entire Marine Corps career.

Oh, how we miss the glory days of the "kip"...

Twenty, easy.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:31:01 AM EDT

[#8]

I'm in shape, I work out just about every day and I can do 18-20 true proper ones.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:33:09 AM EDT

[#9]

Those suck and are hard. It doesn't seem to matter that I weight lift every two days, I just can't do that many at one time. If I pause a little bit between pull ups I can do it.... It'd probably be easier if I didn't weight 190 something.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:39:11 AM EDT

[#10]

Less than five. Prob closer to two.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:43:00 AM EDT

[#11]

I usually just wear one pull up to bed every night.

Back in the 80's when I was in the Corps (during the days of the kip) I could grind out 16-18. Today I do 8-10 dead hangs in sets of 3 on upper body days....

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:53:21 AM EDT

[#12]

I can do one, but I've been working on that.
Started out around 7 months ago at 360lbs, give or take, currently I'm at 287lbs.

Along with running three miles under 28 minutes, (currently am at 40, still working on the entire process) I'm trying to do as many pull ups as I'm able to. My initial goal was one, the enxt one is five. After that, you get the general idea.

But yeah.

Fatty.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:53:59 AM EDT

[#13]

Maybe one of you Marines can confirm this but I remember reading somewhere that some guy at Marine basic, or maybe one of the other schools after basic, did 90 straight pull ups.

I think they said he was a rock climber so it was easy for him.

Posted: 7/16/2008 11:56:23 AM EDT

[#14]

2%
And I'm not one of them.

Kharn

Posted: 7/16/2008 12:00:40 PM EDT

[#15]

I would say less than 5% can do proper, shoulder-width overhand grip, dead hang, chin-over the bar pull ups.

You guys/gals got me curious, as I almost never go all the way down. I am always nursing tendonitis in one of my shoulders from sports. Well, I just finished my first 3 slices of pizza and went downstairs to knock out 15 proper ones.

Now to finish the last 3 slices.

BTW, it is back to the cheaters for me. My shoulder no like that dead hang stuff.

Posted: 7/16/2008 12:01:13 PM EDT

[#16]

I used to do sets of 8-10 wide grip pull-ups as part of my back workout. My bodyweight is up around 245 now, so I do pull-downs on the lat machine instead.

Posted: 7/16/2008 12:06:07 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've never been able to do more than 11 proper dead hang pull-up in my entire Marine Corps career.

Oh, how we miss the glory days of the "kip"...

Twenty, easy.

I didn't know the Corps used to allow kipping.

When did it stop?

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:39:18 PM EDT

[#18]

At my max, I could do 2 sets of 12 dead-hang chin-ups.

% of the male population that could more than 10? I'd guess 1 or 2%.

RF

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:41:30 PM EDT

[#19]

I can do a maximum of 13 but my weight is measured in grains.

I doubt 10% could do ten.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:42:06 PM EDT

[#20]

i'd be shocked if i could do 10 pull ups, proper technique or not.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:42:29 PM EDT

[#21]

I suck ass at pull-ups. I can make it to 15 in one set without having to drop down. I've only recently (this summer) started to practice pull-ups in my aim to max the USMC PFT. The muscles involved are neglected unless you do them. I started at being able to do 4 pull-ups in one set. That's terrible considering I can do push-ups forever, and it was my motivation for improvement.

I'm 19.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:44:44 PM EDT

[#22]

less than 5% I remember in high school, maybe five people in the entire PE class could 10 pullups. Less than that could do a real chin up.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:47:10 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
less than 5% I remember in high school, maybe five people in the entire PE class could 10 pullups. Less than that could do a real chin up.

Chin ups are easier though... Work the Bi's more...

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:48:45 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
I'm in shape and I can barely do 10.

I'm thinking 2-4% maybe.

the most I ever have done even when I was in tip top shape was 9.....

and a lot of guys in the Army could not do 10.....

so I would say 2-3%

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:49:32 PM EDT

[#25]

I don't understand why the USMC puts so much emphasis on pullups.

Almost every guy I ever saw who could knock out pullups easily was not the type of guy who could carry or drag a wounded man off of a battlefield.

They weren't the type of guys who did well on long humps while loaded down with gear, either. Most of the guys who did great on the runs were worn out at the end of the humps.

I sucked at running and sucked royally at pullups but I could hump 20 miles under 65lbs. of gear and not be ready to fall out like the smaller, more "fit" Marines. I could also pick up a 180lb. man and move with him if I needed to. Not gonna happen for the 5'8" 140lb. rabbits.

The fitness standards are great if you want skinny track runners, but matter none in combat conditions.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:51:48 PM EDT

[#26]

Part of the reason why people can't do many pullups is because many people completely neglect their backs when training, or do very limited back work. Too many people focus on the chest at the expense of their backs.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:53:53 PM EDT

[#27]

it's hard for me to do 5 pull-ups, but i can do 50 push ups easliy

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:54:23 PM EDT

[#28]

I think 3% of males can do it and i'm not even joking. I myself have a hard time doing 10 pushups right now, though I was in much better shape when I was in the Army.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:55:59 PM EDT

[#29]

I can do 10 (all the way down all the way up) pull ups

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:56:53 PM EDT

[#30]

5%

I don't think I could do one.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:57:08 PM EDT

[#31]

I would say less than 5% can do it.

About halfway through college, I could do 20. Now (I'm 29) I could do maybe 10 or 11. At the gym I usually stop at 8 so I can get another set of 8. I figure once I can do two sets of 10, I'll add weight. I'm gaining strength and running my gut off so hopefully that's not too far out.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:57:57 PM EDT

[#32]

I always get confused as to what pullups vs. chinups are.

A chin up is where your palms face you, and a pull up is where the palms are away from you?

I'm gonna have to go out and see how many dead hang pull ups I can do.

Posted: 7/16/2008 1:59:50 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
I sucked at running and sucked royally at pullups but I could hump 20 miles under 65lbs. of gear and not be ready to fall out like the smaller, more "fit" Marines. I could also pick up a 180lb. man and move with him if I needed to. Not gonna happen for the 5'8" 140lb. rabbits.

Granted the skinny guys can do pull-ups easy... But it's the rest of the group who need to focus on pull-ups because they aren't rabbits. That's why it's important.

If you can pull yourself over a wall in a jiffy, that's important. It's all about overall fitness. Pull-ups work the back and the back is THE most neglected part of the body. Funny thing is, it's more important to overall health than upper body. Legs are probably the most valuable. I suggest these things as a pre-med cadet who shadows SF docs who take care of all of our special ops boys. Back problems galore. Why? We don't focus on it.

EDIT: CrossFit FTW.

Posted: 7/16/2008 2:01:31 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
Part of the reason why people can't do many pullups is because many people completely neglect their backs when training, or do very limited back work. Too many people focus on the chest at the expense of their backs.

Absolutely true--and the upper and lower back are more important for overall body strength.

I can do 8 dead hang pullups pretty easy, 10 start to hurt and at 11 or 12 I'm struggling.

Posted: 7/16/2008 2:03:04 PM EDT

[#35]

I love pull-ups because they're hard. Marine style pull-ups, I can only do 5.

I can do 10 informal pull-ups.

Posted: 7/16/2008 2:03:24 PM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
I couldn't. Not sure why, but I have never been able to do pull-ups. I wish I were able to.

When I was a kid, I was small and slightly underweight. Still couldn't do them.

I'm the opposite. I have no problems doing pull-ups, but can't do push-ups. I used to be able to, but after years of competitive climbing, my shoulders are shot, and they hurt too much to do. Pull ups don't hurt, but they sure do crack and pop.

Posted: 7/16/2008 2:05:19 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
This goes with the pushup thread. Again, ages 15-65. I'd bet fewer could do the pull ups than could do the pushups.

Under 2%

Hell, the only military service that tests pull-ups is the Marines...

Most Army folks can't do more than 4...

Posted: 7/16/2008 2:05:33 PM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:
I'm in shape and I can barely do 10.

I'm thinking 2-4% maybe.

I agree unless you regularly do them or at least regularly weight train you will not be able to do 10 good ones. I work out 10+ hrs a week and I cant because most of my workouts are running or biking and much more cardio intensive. (I have a resting HR of <50 but I am a huge pussy in the gym however I still did 67 pushups on the last PRT)

-Mike

Posted: 7/16/2008 2:07:50 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've never been able to do more than 11 proper dead hang pull-up in my entire Marine Corps career.

Oh, how we miss the glory days of the "kip"...

Twenty, easy.

I could never kip to save my life. All my buddies would kip out an easy 20. I'm a big guy, so I worked my ass off to get to 14 or so honest pull ups, and took much shit for not getting 20. Then the kip was banned.....aaaahhhh sweet justice. Many, many 20 pull up Marines were suddenly doing 5 - 7 reps. Good times!

I eventually made 20 honest pull ups while on recruiting duty of all places.

Posted: 7/16/2008 2:56:08 PM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
I don't understand why the USMC puts so much emphasis on pullups.

.

I never thought that we did. The 3 mile run is by far the biggest event in the semi-annual physical fitness test for the vast majority of Marines.

As far as the "skinny jack rabbit" stuff, the new Combat Fitness Test is supposed to remedy that apparent deficiency in our PFT. Having done my final PFT a couple weeks ago (I retire soon), I won't ever have to do that.

Good thing, 'cuz I'm kind of a skinny jackrabbit guy, myself... Humps are very difficult for me. Good thing that I very very rarely have to do one.

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:12:02 PM EDT

[#41]

I can now do 2...I just checked

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:16:14 PM EDT

[#42]

I can do 16.

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:18:22 PM EDT

[#43]

When I got out of the marines in 2002 I could do a best of 25 Marine Corps pullups. I struggled to get 10 the other day.

I bet its in the single digits. 4-5 % that could do 10 or more dead hang pull-ups.

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:20:11 PM EDT

[#44]

Pull-ups are much easier than push-ups for me.

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:22:42 PM EDT

[#45]

I can do 8 wide grip , maybe 15 chin ups

I'm 60 years old

You guys better get in shape.

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:23:00 PM EDT

[#46]

im not in good shape, i could barely do 10 pull ups.

pushups, situps, and dips are easy though

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:25:54 PM EDT

[#47]

I just did 10 honest, over-hand pull ups. But 11 would have been hard. I'd say 5% of men can do 10.

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:34:55 PM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I sucked at running and sucked royally at pullups but I could hump 20 miles under 65lbs. of gear and not be ready to fall out like the smaller, more "fit" Marines. I could also pick up a 180lb. man and move with him if I needed to. Not gonna happen for the 5'8" 140lb. rabbits.

Granted the skinny guys can do pull-ups easy... But it's the rest of the group who need to focus on pull-ups because they aren't rabbits. That's why it's important.

If you can pull yourself over a wall in a jiffy, that's important. It's all about overall fitness. Pull-ups work the back and the back is THE most neglected part of the body. Funny thing is, it's more important to overall health than upper body. Legs are probably the most valuable. I suggest these things as a pre-med cadet who shadows SF docs who take care of all of our special ops boys. Back problems galore. Why? We don't focus on it.

EDIT: CrossFit FTW.

That's odd because I've always found the skinny guys had a hard time with pullups, while the "average" sized guys could do a lot (provided they were in shape).

And yes, CrossFit FTW

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:35:33 PM EDT

[#49]

Well I did four. Admittedly I don't regularly do back workouts.

Posted: 7/16/2008 4:35:46 PM EDT

[#50]

3%

15% could do 1.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What % of males in America could do 10 pull ups? (Page 2 of 4)

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