Poll of the Day [6/19/10]

[CostlyAxis]

I think we all have fond memories of the this little exercise piece in our gym class. If you didn't, you missed out on some interesting memories. Well, that would be pull ups. They're a pain to do, and even more so when you're not in-shape to do them. I'm going to just assume that quite a few us were in that situation so I'm asking what's the maximum amount you were ever able to do. (I wanted to limit to the age you were at the time, but school systems vary in countries...)

If I remember correctly, I was able to do six before just giving up (intermediate school and never had to do pull ups since). I was two short of getting the pull up requirement for the Presidential Fitness Award from my school. They had the bar up so high, you had to get a stool just to climb up to it, but I guess that helped with not hitting the floor in the middle of a pull up. Fun fun years.

How about you?

[l33tmeerkatslol]

I never had to, but I remember being able to do around 10-14.

[cory21]

20. But I don't weight that much, and I run a lot.



A lot.

[MNM1245]

I can do about 7 last time I checked. I haven't tried in a while but I bet it's gone down to like 3 or something. I hate pull ups.

[PsychoBucket]

I think about 6

[Coyote1023]

I never got one in elementary. Got only a couple in middle school. But now I can get around 10ish (senior). Don't worry, I actually have a legitimate excuse for it. Speaking of which, I still need to finish that story...

[Skittlemeister]

I can't do pull-ups, I weigh too much and I haven't gotten strong enough, yet. But I'm working on it. I might be able to do one now, but I highly doubt it.

[DIRT JOCKEY]

I can't do pull-ups, I weigh too much and I haven't gotten strong enough, yet. But I'm working on it. I might be able to do one now, but I highly doubt it.

If you find doing a pull-up too hard, try doing one on a diagonal surface, it makes it alot easier if you arent used to it. It might sound silly, but many playgrounds are perfect for this, and if you are too embarrased to drag your ass to the gym, you can always go workout at night :) thats the beauty of it.

Make sure you stretch first, especially if you are overweight.

[DeathsFriend22]

Underhand I can do about 19. Overhand I can do 15. In gym class I was one of the best pull-up guys there, because I'm light but strong.

[Silver0range]

I do pullups. A lot. The question here is if you guys are talking about the normal pullups that I tend to see everyone and their mother doing (stopping on the descent @ 90 degrees) or deadhang pullups (going down to 180 degrees). I can do about 9-12 deadhangs with overhand grip depending on the day, but in terms of 90 degree pullups I'm not really sure...

If you can't do a pullup yet, Skittles, I suggest doing an exercise called negatives (basically, take an exercise and put in reverse). Just jump into the pullup and slow down your descent as much as possible. These will engage your muscles just like any pullup would, but anyone can do them.

[Jpec07]

I don't think we ever had to do straight pull-ups, it was more an endurance thing. How long could you keep your chin above the bar? Last time I took that test was in tenth grade, and all I know is that I was able to outlast all of the other kids 'cause I was so freaking lanky...

[Time Glitch]

I think I could still manage like six. I'm pretty damn out of shape, but I have a real mind-over-matter thing. I've blacked myself out because I just run out of energy.

So I could do like...six...before my arms gave out.

[DeathsFriend22]

I do pullups. A lot. The question here is if you guys are talking about the normal pullups that I tend to see everyone and their mother doing (stopping on the descent @ 90 degrees) or deadhang pullups (going down to 180 degrees). I can do about 9-12 deadhangs with overhand grip depending on the day, but in terms of 90 degree pullups I'm not really sure...


I do deadhangs.

[Zak]

20. But I don't weight that much, and I run a lot.



A lot.
I don't think running has to do anything with it. I'm training for my first marathon and I can only do 4-5. But of course, I probably weigh more than you. I'm 170 pounds.

[Silver0range]

No, of course it doesn't. Weight would, however. Running has probably made him super skinny.

[Zackj191]

We only had to do sit-ups, push ups and the timed mile for our tests..

[OMFGitsBlaze]

I always used to do that kind of stuff but the post I could do in 1 sitting was about 55 with both hands and about 15 with 1 hand.

[cory21]

I don't think running has to do anything with it. I'm training for my first marathon and I can only do 4-5. But of course, I probably weigh more than you. I'm 170 pounds.
I weigh 145. I run a 5:20 mile. I'm in pretty good shape, which is probably a huge contributor to the fact I can do about 20.

Probably.

[Boston]

As scrawny as I was in high school, I easily did 20. I don't know why but pull ups are just too easy...however, my gym workout probably has something to do with that. I workout my legs to where I am essentially maxed out (I used to run track and cross country), and I ONLY did curl ups. I LOL at everyone who always thought "benching" was the shit. I actually could care less about benching (I guess because I could never bench much at all), but give me a 40 or even 50 lb dumbbell and I can consistently do 10 curl ups in a row on each arm with ease.

[Octopocalypse]

I'm the weakest person ever pretty much. I can get halfway up then I drop to the ground

[DeathsFriend22]

As scrawny as I was in high school, I easily did 20. I don't know why but pull ups are just too easy...however, my gym workout probably has something to do with that. I workout my legs to where I am essentially maxed out (I used to run track and cross country), and I ONLY did curl ups. I LOL at everyone who always thought "benching" was the shit. I actually could care less about benching (I guess because I could never bench much at all), but give me a 40 or even 50 lb dumbbell and I can consistently do 10 curl ups in a row on each arm with ease.

It's because most people can't even bench their own weight; If you can bench press more than your weight, you know you're pretty fucking strong.

[cory21]

It's because most people can't even bench their own weight; If you can bench press more than your weight, you know you're pretty fucking strong.
I've never understood that.

'Benching your own weight'

Do people mean one rep, or a whole set, or what? I can bench my own weight one time, maybe twice, with no sweat. But I am by no means strong (I agree with Boston, I couldn't care less about benching).

I guess its the same concept as pull-ups. I can do a lot with no problem, but its because I'm light and in shape, not because I'm strong.