And How You can Reach Your Pull-Up Goal

I heard a trending audio on Instagram the other day: “How many pull-ups statistically can a woman do? … Zero.”

And was like “no way.”

The next time I went to the gym, I finished my run and hopped on the bar expecting to maybe eek out 10 pull-ups, but I got to 15. Squirmy pull-ups, yes, but still unassisted, chin-over-bar pull-ups that my postpartum self felt super proud about.

My carefree college self could knock out 16 pull-ups in a row, so being just one shy of that record really is a testimony to #momstrength for real!

I videoed it and share this reel on my instagram and got a lot of feedback, but not the feedback I wanted. I didn’t want to be congratulated or cheered on. I wanted other friends–moms or not–to see themselves doing a pull-up in that video.

“You’re braver than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

– Winnie-the-Pooh

Can you do a pull-up?

And are you up for working on it?

Let’s change this, ladies! I’m saying this only with grace because:

1. After I had my son, I couldn’t do a single pull-up. It requires a lot of core work to do a pull-up, and it’s natural and healthy for that to ebb and flow.
2. I went to a military school for college, and most of my female friends worked so hard day in and day out to barely get to just one pull-up. I saw their struggle, but I also saw their determination.
3. Health can be complicated and reaching your ideal of overall fitness and energy doesn’t happen overnight.
4. And I’m far from perfect! Are you kidding? My form in these videos is pretty flail-y!

I would encourage you to work on it if only for the sense of satisfaction and pride you can have in your determination after you go from zero to one pull-up one day and can tell all your family about it.

Take a look at my favorite pull-up guide and start chipping away at this a few days per week. You’ll be there in no time!

P.s. Like Winnie-the-Pooh says, “You’re braver than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, and smarter than you think.”