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Al Takes the 20 Pull-up Challenge!

January 11th, 2010 Leave a comment Go to comments

Pull-upsAs you may know, pull-ups are my favorite exercise. So when I stumbled across the twenty pull-up challenge the other day, it was obvious to me what I needed to do.

For the purpose of this particular challenge, our pull-ups will be performed using an overhand grip on the bar, the legs will be kept straight and the movement will be performed with control.

There are lots of types of pull-ups, and I’m not usually a stickler, but I know some people are, so I’m hoping to avoid any confusion.

A couple months ago, I issued my own 50 pull-up challenge, but this challenge is different than that one. These twenty pull-ups must be done in one consecutive set.

I think that 20 consecutive pull-ups is an achievable goal for any able-bodied man out there. For women, 10 might be a more achievable goal. The potential to do incredible things is within all of us!

Watch the video below for more:


Update: One Year Later
I received some criticism on my first video from people who either claimed my grip was too narrow or that I didn’t complete a full range of motion. I took those criticsms to heart and made a new video:

Categories: Pull-ups!
  • http://twentypullups.com/ Olli Sikstus

    Congratulations! I like your website :)

  • http://www.AlKavadlo.com Al Kavadlo

    Thanks Olli! I appreciate your support!

  • Speester

    Nice video =)

  • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

    Thanks, Speester!

  • Speester

    Nice video =)

  • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

    Thanks, Speester!

  • http://www.alkavadlo.com/2010/07/all-kinds-of-pull-ups/ Al Kavadlo – We're Working Out! » All Kinds of Pull-ups

    [...] Basics The standard pull-up is performed while hanging from an overhead bar with your hands a bit wider than your shoulders and [...]

  • Jr_silva10

    Al what do you recommended to increase the repetitions? the 50 pull-up challenge or the twenty pull up challenge?

    Thanks Al, keep the good work ;)

  • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

    Thanks – the 50 pull-up challenge is a great way to improve your total reps! http://www.alkavadlo.com/2009/11/the-50-pull-up-challenge/

    The 20 pull-up challenge is a good way to test your progress.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_RFGBUNQCG3UO6IVXD74TXBSDKQ Mark

    Awesome!!!

  • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

    Thanks!

  • Dpuerto

    So wait are you just doing the pullups or did you follow the methodology? Is it worth it or can you just weight train high reps and those naturally increase? I typically super set lat pull down with pull ups and pushups back to back to back… when I’m actually training.

  • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

    I did not follow the program on the 20 pull-ups website, though it seems like a pretty good routine.

    As for lat pull-downs, I haven’t done those in a long time!

  • http://www.alkavadlo.com/2011/08/the-twenty-pistol-squat-challenge/ Al Kavadlo – We're Working Out! » The Twenty Pistol Squat Challenge

    [...] s1);})(); Those of you who’ve been keeping up with me may recall the twenty pull-up challenge. Now I’m throwing down a twenty pistol squat [...]

  • Pjod71

    hey Al. just saw the 2 videos. In my humble opinion there’s nothing wrong with a shoulder width or narrower grip. I think by widening the grip, although the pull ups become harder, its because your ROM is naturally reduced by the positioning of the elbows. I can pull to my mid -chest with a shoulder width grip but only to my neck with a wide grip – and I don’t think its lack of strength, rather a mechanical impossibility without bending the bar or twisting the arms. Therefore I think your first video is as valid a display of 20 + strict pull ups as the second video. Sorry for the long comment but I had to get that off my chest. Any thoughts?

  • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

    Thanks, Pjod71!  I think the first video is good, but the second one is a little better and shows progress.  Oh, and I can pull to my chest even in a wide grip – it’s definitely not a mechanical impossibility for me.

  • Jimsdoodles

    I was trying to do 50 consecutive pull ups earlier this year, and I always seemed to plateau at around 25, but it was still a cool feeling logging my progresses and seeing that I had done 100 pull ups that day.

  • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

    Fifty straight pull-ups is a lofty goal, but I believe it’s achievable if you set your sights on it and make it priority #1.

  • reincarnate100

    Impressive!

    I think you missed my question though. You probably got stronger a year later.
    I mean if you tested your very strict dead hang pull-ups now and told me the number.Then, tomorrow, you try your regular clean (still perfect looking form) pull-ups and told me that number.Would there be much of a difference? For example you might get 20 super strict, but 25 clean.

    I meant without a year in between where you could have got stronger! Thanks!

  • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

    Thanks!  And yes, the more leeway one is given with form, the more reps they’ll likely be able to do.

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