How many pullups can you do? - Page 2

David Inc. · 11-08-2022, 08:27 AM

Yeah the underhand is easier but the overhand does more for your shoulders and back, I think. When I was in a car accident back in college I had a lot of mid-back problems afterwards. What helped was doing wide-grip over-hand pull-ups where I'd put my head in front of the bar.

I need to get back in that habit, I could do about 10 with my hands a door's width apart.

Like this, with my head going "in front" of the bar. I didn't look like this though

Norm K · 11-08-2022, 08:30 AM

Overhand hurts my shoulder ... bad, so I don't even try them anymore.

Underhand hurts, but a lot less. I turned 65 a month ago and can still get 15 until the pain says stop (plus, I have to admit that I'm struggling a fair bit at that point

). If it didn't hurt so much I'd like to think I could still get to 20, where 30+ was not a big deal when I was still in the Marine Corps.

_

masraum · 11-08-2022, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

In basic training for the Army in the 80's, we had to do 40 pushups and 40 situps to pass the PT test (this was easy as an 18 yr old in decent shape). Those are the only two exercises I have kept up on through the years and I hope I can keep that up into my 70's at least.

You definitely have me beat on cardio.... I HATE running and would be hard pressed to jog a mile non stop. I get winded leisurely riding a mountain bike around a campground. lol

I don't claim to be in great shape, I was just curious regarding pullups as I go back and forth over whether it is worth trying to get to higher number to try and keep ahead of my buddies.

I feel like getting up to 20 is a good number, then if you get the urge gradually increase. I feel like 20 would be a good round number, and 50 would be really impressive.

Bill Douglas · 11-08-2022, 08:32 AM

I can do nine. Three lots of three.

masraum · 11-08-2022, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Inc.

Overhand style or underhand? Makes a big difference for me.

Yep, big difference. In the grand scheme of things, I think either is fine. I feel like chin-ups (underhand) is usually the easier for most folks and really focuses on bicep strength. I feel like pull-ups (overhand) are a good combination of bicep and lat/back strength.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

Gravity is a beatch.

masraum · 11-08-2022, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

We only do the underhand style.... For fitness sake, I should probably start doing both though. Every couple of weeks one of us posts a video for proof and then the rest of us try and match or beat it. I have found I can only go for max if i have not done any for a few days first. I have to time my record attempts to coincide with a few days of rest. lol

Agreed, when/if I get the bar setup, my plan is to do both.

Also, when I've done weights in the past, I have always been a proponent of doing curls overhand, underhand, and hammerfist. Different positions change the focus of muscles used and that sort of thing. I think targeting as many muscles as possible as balanced as possible is better than more focus on fewer muscles.

Tim Hancock · 11-08-2022, 08:49 AM

I just blocked up an old 48" wide basement door last weekend on the back of our house. I have not laid any block for 30+ years since my army reserve carpentry/masonry MOS days but thought it would be a piece of cake. I can't believe how sore I was the next couple days.... back, arms, wrist and legs.... pathetic. Ski season is coming so I better amp up my minimal exercise routine a bit. This getting old business sucks (56 yrs old now).

KNS · 11-08-2022, 08:54 AM

I just did 12 overhand (palms facing away). I'm 55

Disclosure - I have a pull up bar downstairs and will do eight or nine once or twice a week.

Tim Hancock · 11-08-2022, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm K

I turned 65 a month ago and can still get 15 until the pain says stop (plus, I have to admit that I'm struggling a fair bit at that point

).
_

15 at 65.... The gauntlet has been laid.

I better get after it.

I think 15 at any age is way above average... At 65 I bet there are very few nationwide who could do 15. Great job Norm K!

Tim Hancock · 11-08-2022, 08:58 AM

Great job Kurt!

masraum · 11-08-2022, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNS

I just did 12 overhand (palms facing away). I'm 55

Disclosure - I have a pull up bar downstairs and will do eight or nine once or twice a week.

What sort of bar do you have/use, and is it sturdy/stable?

David · David's Garage

I'm 55 and can do 5-9 but can never quite do 10 or more anymore. You'd think I could do more since I have a bar in my garage right where I'm normally working. Last night before I called it a day on some Cayman suspension work, I reached up and did 5. That was all I could do

herr_oberst · 11-08-2022, 09:38 AM

David, you've given me an idea; I'll attach a come-along right above my chin-up bar!

livi · 11-08-2022, 09:57 AM

Around 20 depending on grip and speed. I have a very slender frame and low weight.

KNS · 11-08-2022, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

What sort of bar do you have/use, and is it sturdy/stable?

It's just a simple telescoping bar that fits between a doorway. It's never fallen down.
I think you can find them at Dick's sporting goods.

ckissick · 11-08-2022, 09:59 AM

When I was a teenager my record was 50 with two arms, and 1 with one arm. I was a rock climber at the time and weighed very little. There was a climber back then named John Gill who could do a one-finger pullup. I'm 63 now, and don't know how many I can do with a bar. I've been doing them on a hang-board, just on finger tips. I can only do about 5 to 9, depending on how I'm feeling. I've taken up rock climbing again and would like to get up to 20.

pwd72s · 11-08-2022, 10:07 AM

I'm 79...won't even try. Might hurt myself.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

I was in pretty good shape at 60 as I served in the AF reserve until then and did the fitness test every six months. I had to work out and diet most of the time to pass. Did 45 push ups and sit-ups (each in a minute) to pass the test...plus had to run a pretty quick 1 1/2 miles (quick for me at 59). My biggest problem was once we did the pushups, I started cramping up and it make the sit-ups and running hard.

I could only do a handful of pullups though. I think I did 15 when I tested in Officer's Training School in my mid 30s...and that was pretty good for me. Probably 3 or 4 now...but don't know for sure.

Like others here, it seems that now I keep hurting myself when working out or simply doing manual labor. One of my arms hurts really bad when I do pushups now...must have pulled something. I had just gotten over throwing my back out and taking it easy for a few months. Getting old sucks.

Seahawk · 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckissick

When I was a teenager my record was 50 with two arms, and 1 with one arm. I was a rock climber at the time and weighed very little. There was a climber back then named John Gill who could do a one-finger pullup. I'm 63 now, and don't know how many I can do with a bar. I've been doing them on a hang-board, just on finger tips. I can only do about 5 to 9, depending on how I'm feeling. I've taken up rock climbing again and would like to get up to 20.

Rock climbers are a completely different breed of cat, male and female. When I was running rivers I ran with a lot of folks who did river guiding in the summers and guided climbs in the Fall and Spring.

Completely different body type from me. They tried to teach me how, as they quaintly put it, "rock hop", but even then, in phenomenal shape, 6'4" 185, I'm getting sewing machine leg, vertigo, finger cramps and sore shoulders and my feet may not have left the ground.

Can't be good at everything.