San Francisco, California. (October 22, 2024): It is an exercise so brutal the Marines compete to see how many repetitions they can handle. The good old-fashioned pullup looks easy to anyone who has never attempted one. In the photo above, a Sailor participates in a Marine Corps pullup challenge during San Francisco Fleet Week. The challenge gives points for both repetitions and how well competitors show the proper form for each pullup.

Why so much emphasis on the pullup?

Upper body strength is critical in combat where troops are often required to pull comrades to safety. This is why there are so many “carrying” events in military training to prepare troops to carry a 180-pound casualty out of the line of fire. To do this, you need serious upper body strength, particularly the shoulder and back muscles.

What makes the pullup so difficult is the grip. To do the exercise properly, the palms are facing away from you and the grip is typically wider apart than chin-ups. This grip emphasizes the muscles that make up the substantial core and shoulder stabilizer strength. This results in more muscle contraction required for a given range of motion.

While there is no official standard, the ability to do twelve pullups for men and eight for women are considered an advanced athlete. For civilians, it is highly encouraged to incorporate this tough, but essential, exercise into your workout routine.