# How many unassisted pull-ups and dips can you do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 11, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166 "2010-03-11T22:39:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/41 "2010-03-13T14:54:54Z")
> [@Toxylon](#): > > Big pullup and dip numbers are kinda like supernatural phenomena: you’ll forever hear stories, but when critical observers are present, things tend to shrivel up. > > Range of motion is a HUGE factor in both of these exercises. People routinely and unwittingly cut the ROM on both ends, making reps way easier. I have a friend who completed 14 pull-ups in an army fitness test. While on a leave, he asked to try out my pullup bar. I showed him the way they are supposed to be done (from a still dead hang to bar hitting the upper sternum), and he got six reps. Similarly, dips done from full extension on the concentric to biceps hitting the forearms on the eccentric tend to reach really low numbers as opposed to half-assed, hurried reps. > > Big pullup and chinup numbers, up to 100+, are done by kipping, or using full-body momentum to “swing” oneself up and down. By comparison, 40+ strict pullups is a world-class feat. > > At 200#, I can do 14 strict chinups, only 8 strict pullups, and 24 army-style, kipping, short -range chins. > > As **Shodan** noted above, unweighted pullups aren’t that good an indicator of strength. Past a dozen reps or so, it’s a question of muscular endurance, not strength. Hook 50 % or more of your bodyweight in iron onto your belt and then it becomes a test of strength. All true, though I’m not sure I agree with the bar hitting the upper sternum requirement on pull-ups as I’ve rarely seen people do that. I’ve seen people do dips where they only move a few inches up and down. I see the same problem with people on stairclimbers where they only lift their legs a few inches at a time at high speed. Ultimately as long as you fatigue your muscles it really doesn’t matter if you do it with 10 real-dips or 30 sorta-dips I guess. ---
**Author:** ![History\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b19c9b/32.png) [@History\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Geek)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/42 "2010-03-13T23:06:33Z")
Since I started working out again in January, I’ve quickly gotten into better shape than I’ve probably ever been before. At the beginning, I couldn’t do a single dip. Now, I’m up to two sets of 10 reps, and a third set with 7. I don’t usually do pull-ups, but last time at the gym I did about 10. Both exercises are/were done at the end of my weight-lifting workout. I think just going straight from warm-up to dips I could manage a couple dozen; pull-ups, maybe 12 or 15. 6’2", 190#, 34 year-old male. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/43 "2010-03-14T02:33:44Z")
None, but I’ve also never tried. I suspect that if I tried, the answer would still be “none”. I’m stronger than I was a few years back, especially my arms, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to do any. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/44 "2010-04-06T02:48:06Z")
Zero. I’ve been trying and trying for weeks since the WARM-UP for my chosen exercise requires 10 of them a rep, and they said even somebody weak should be able to work up to at least 5 in a month or so. But I get halfway up and die. I tried the whole “weight band assisted” thing with a 10lb band and that didn’t really help. I really wish I could do one, I heard they become a lot easier after one. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2010, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/45 "2010-04-06T02:56:21Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Zero. I’ve been trying and trying for weeks since the WARM-UP for my chosen exercise requires 10 of them a rep, and they said even somebody weak should be able to work up to at least 5 in a month or so. But I get halfway up and die. I tried the whole “weight band assisted” thing with a 10lb band and that didn’t really help. > > I really wish I could do one, I heard they become a lot easier after one. ☹ Oh, and I can’t do a chin either. Weak upper body strength runs in the family. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/46 "2010-04-07T16:27:59Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > Wow. That’s a shitload of pullups. Overhand right? Not underhand? Overhand, Yes. Chinups he uses a 30lb vest. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/47 "2010-04-07T16:32:32Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > Female, 23, 130 lbs. > > 12 pull ups on a good day, 8 on a bad day, any number in the middle on any other day. Jesus. And here I was feeling myself because I’m a female who can manage a whole 2 pull ups. Now I shall hang my head in shame. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/48 "2010-10-30T03:38:40Z")
I’ve been working on it and I can now do 5 pull-ups from a dead hang. I can see the muscle mass I’ve put on in my upper body. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/49 "2010-10-31T20:42:36Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > For those who didn’t know what they are: [Dips](http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/PectoralSternal/BWChestDip.html) Thanks, that’s a very clear link. I’ve never done a dip or even been anywhere that you could do a dip (and I have used gyms), so I haven’t a clue how many I could do. I can just about manage three pull-ups from standing (no jumping to help). That’s using a pull-up bar that I bought to put in my doorframe. My left wrist is messed up, but I’m still surprised at how hard I find these exercises. Does it make it harder or easier that the bar is only a tiny bit above my head height? It feels like it makes it harder. I’ve used the monkey bars at the park a few times as an adult and it was much easier on the really high ones. They shouldn’t be used in standard military testing if you have to buy special equipment to practice them. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/50 "2010-10-31T21:16:02Z")
> [@scifisam2009](#): > > I’ve never done a dip or even been anywhere that you could do a dip (and I have used gyms), so I haven’t a clue how many I could do. :dubious: I don’t think theres a gym in America that doesn’t have a dip machine or at least dip bars. You probably just didn’t notice it. > [@](#): > > They shouldn’t be used in standard military testing if you have to buy special equipment to practice them. Find something above your head to hold onto and pull up. No special equipment needed. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/51 "2010-10-31T21:51:24Z")
Even at my fittest when I could do one handed pressups etc I could never do many pullups. Dips no problem. Im not convinced its a particularly good indicator of physical fitness, as its really a specific movement you have to practise. I never saw it as a particularly important goal, so never worked at it. Otara ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/52 "2010-10-31T22:20:18Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > Im not convinced its a particularly good indicator of physical fitness, as its really a specific movement you have to practise. I never saw it as a particularly important goal, so never worked at it. > > Otara Yep, like **Shodan** said on the previous page, if you want to test real, practical lifting power and strength, deadlifts would probably be a much better measure of how strong someone is going to be in real-life situations. Even squats might be a better indicator than chin-ups or dips, because while squats focus on glutes and quads, they also help with core strength and balance. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/53 "2010-10-31T22:53:42Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > :dubious: I don’t think theres a gym in America that doesn’t have a dip machine or at least dip bars. You probably just didn’t notice it. > > Find something above your head to hold onto and pull up. No special equipment needed. I’m in the UK and I definitely used all the equipment in the gyms I went to. One of them had something like a pull-up bar, but there definitely wasn’t anything to do dips on - I’d have noticed. There’s really nothing around that I could find to pull up onto. I even hunted around the two nearest parks earlier, while walking the dog, only to discover that they don’t have monkey bars (I know the ones at the next two nearest are too low). This is one of the reasons I bought the pull-up bar for my doorway. I’d like to be able to pull myself up if I’m halfway through falling off a skyscraper. 😃 Am I right that it’s more difficult when the bar’s at about your head height rather than above your head? It feels that way, but it could be just me subconsciously making excuses for myself. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/54 "2010-10-31T23:10:51Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Yep, like **Shodan** said on the previous page, if you want to test real, practical lifting power and strength, deadlifts would probably be a much better measure of how strong someone is going to be in real-life situations. Even squats might be a better indicator than chin-ups or dips, because while squats focus on glutes and quads, they also help with core strength and balance. Outright strength doesnt = fitness either though. Its like any fitness criteria, it really depends what you’re planning to be fit for, and what your particular body type is. Being able to deadlift a ton doesnt mean you wont be dying 5 miles into a marathon and vice versae. Otara ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/55 "2010-11-01T00:51:14Z")
30 pull ups. Never tried to see with dips 24 year old male ---
**Author:** ![ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryan)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/56 "2010-11-01T11:08:45Z")
None. I am quite strong, but very over weight. I can/have done multiple reps of 250bs+ on a pull down bar, but this is not close to what would be required to lift my fat ass off the ground. 42 yr old male, about as fit as I was for the past few years. I am not even close to being physically fit, but I am very strong. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/57 "2010-11-01T13:49:54Z")
Since I do sets of these, I’ve never attempted to max out. I would guess at least 15 of each. ---
**Author:** ![xaviSF2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/dc4da7/32.png) [@xaviSF2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xaviSF2000)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/58 "2013-06-28T18:46:10Z")
I can do 35 unassisted dips in a row, last 3 with shaking arms. I can do 18 pull-ups in a row. 90 push-ups (not perfect form) in a row. I can do 2 muscle ups so far… I have been working on the bar brothers requirements for the last 4-5 months ( 7 muscle ups, 25 dips, 10 wide pullups, 25 pushups, 10 leg lifts, and 7 muscle ups in 5min). I have lost 30 pounds since Feb 1st and finally got six pack abs again, 26 years later. I was 16 last time I remember having six pack abs… I’m 42, 140 pounds, 5’ 8’’. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/59 "2013-06-28T19:19:03Z")
I’m afraid neither the commandant nor the corps will be getting theirs from me. May start in on an attempt to change this soon. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166/60 "2013-06-28T19:43:28Z")
Male 1.83m (6") and 80kg (176lb) / 45 Pull-up: maybe two on a very good day and being enitced by copius ammounts of sex. Three if it ends world hunger AND end all wars. Dips: 5 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-unassisted-pull-ups-and-dips-can-you-do/532166.md?page=4)