Women can't do pullups

This is such a load of ****. Really? A single study with an incredibly small group of subjects is supposed to be convincing in some way?

I'll add to the anecdotal evidence here. My mom is a workout badass. A few years ago, she earned the nickname "Diesel" by beating a bunch of misogynistic *kitten* in a one-armed elevated pushups contest. These guys had been harassing her for weeks at the gym about her weightlifting workouts before she got fed up and challenged them. Instant respect. She was 48 at the time; the guys she beat were in their 20s.

Personal experience, determination, and practice makes the difference. Even if women require more work, it doesn't mean they don't do it every damn day of the week.

From the article: "The Marines say a male recruit should be able to do at least 3 pull-ups or chin-ups, but women are not required to do them."

That doesn't make sense to me. Shouldn't all soldiers, regardless of gender, aim to be strong enough to lift their own body weight? Maybe some women (just like some men) would have to train harder to accomplish this, but it's still doable. I keep picturing some female soldier stuck hanging on to bar in a life-or-death combat situation, having to be rescued by a male soldier. All because she wasn't required to do pullups during training exercises.

Women are required, instead, to be able to do a flexed arm hang. Trust me, I've been there. They do stress the ability, but it's not a part of their fitness test. The arm hang is supposed to be more tuned to what a woman's body can do, or some such BS. I've seen plenty of ladies who can do pull ups just fine, often times better than their male counter parts. Sadly, I am not one of them, yet.

However, if you have a smart phone, there is a USMC Fitness App that you can get. It doesn't differentiate between male or female for the requirements. It's a cute little app, but I was surprised when it didn't differentiate between the 2 arm exercises. It just gives me something to work towards.

I can do about 10 front grip pull ups and 15 reverse grip pullups/chin ups.

I guess I am not a women!

From the article: "The Marines say a male recruit should be able to do at least 3 pull-ups or chin-ups, but women are not required to do them."

That doesn't make sense to me. Shouldn't all soldiers, regardless of gender, aim to be strong enough to lift their own body weight? Maybe some women (just like some men) would have to train harder to accomplish this, but it's still doable. I keep picturing some female soldier stuck hanging on to bar in a life-or-death combat situation, having to be rescued by a male soldier. All because she wasn't required to do pullups during training exercises.

a soldier is in the army; a marine is in the marines.

Just sayin'.

The unassisted chin up is one of the my favorite pieces of equipment. There is no other exercise which boasts a woman's confidence when she is able to do one on her own without any assistance. Every woman I've seen who accomplishes such has this huge radiant glow about their face.

I've never in my life been able to do a pull up. Even when I was hitting the gym 2 hours a day and could bust out push ups and was very strong I could never do one. I was able to hold my chin up, you know, the baby option of the pull up.

I've seen women do them, but jeesh, they are grueling.

I can! i started working on them at age 40 and on a good day I can do sets of 2 pull-ups and sets of up to 3 chin-ups. on a bad day I jump and just practice negatives.

I will someday be able to do this unassisted.

I just did 4 unassisted in a row then 4 chins in a row back to back.

I just got a pullup bar as I am going to start the p90x as soon as I have finished the 30 day shred and I tried to do one and felt so puny - I thought it was just me!

I had to get the resistance bands - but I am going to just keep on trying until I get there - I thought it was just harder as I hadn't done the correct type of toning combined with my height and the fact that I am still 220 lbs. I am still trying to do proper press ups too, but am improving with planks too to build up my core.

I honestly thought in my head that anyone fit could do them and it was me just being a weakling - I have a new perspective on it now, thanks.

One of my goal is to do one freaking pull up

One is TWO, because one might be just a fluke, but with two I know it's me and not a random miracle.

Yes, I know females can do chin-upa, pull-ups; but I also know that personally my arms have always been very weak so it will be a lot of work for me to get there, but I will.

I can't YET.... but I will.

I'm not offended, plenty of men can't do a single one either.

I am fairly certain that women who can do pullups have hidden willies.

In fact, to support my theory, I present the following for evidence: a woman at my gym can do about 20 of them, but while doing them, she grunts in ways that would put most powerlifters to shame.

Now, we all know that women don't grunt in the gym, so she must really be a man.

I am fairly certain that women who can do pullups have hidden willies.

In fact, to support my theory, I present the following for evidence: a woman at my gym can do about 20 of them, but while doing them, she grunts in ways that would put most powerlifters to shame.

Now, we all know that women don't grunt in the gym, so she must really be a man.

<

---

no hidden pecker!!

Dammit...there goes that theory. Hmm...you must be on steroids then, because according to the media, women can't be strong without them, and we all know that newspapers are always right...especially the editorials.

Can't do them yet, but being able to do pull-ups is definitely a big reason I started lifting heavy.

I am able to do actual push-ups now....several in a row. Before, I was stuck using the girlie-modification. But it's amazing how the bench press, deadlift and shoulder press are helping with that :laugh:

I WILL do some damn pull-ups in the near future. Screw you New York Times!!