For those of you that joined the gym since we moved to our current location, there’s a small bit of Intrepid history that you missed out on. We used to have monthly challenges to add a little spice and focus for our day-to-day training. Today I’m proposing an unofficial challenge and looking for volunteers to play along.

Ruth has posted a few articles in the last few months about improving your pullup or chinup ability. In the comments for one, Anna mentioned when she approached me about increasing her strict pullups and I suggested a variation on the frequency method. I have found this tends to work really well for most people and a number of members have mentioned the desire to increase their pullups.

With that in mind, here’s the unofficial challenge — 1 strict pullup on the first day — and one more each additional day. That means that on March 15th, you will do 15 pullups… and for the quick thinkers, yes on the 30th you will do 30 pullups. Don’t go running away at the thought of this. You do NOT have to do all of these in one set!

Here are the “rules”:

  • Start on day 1 (March 1st) with 1 pullup, followed by 2 on the 2nd, etc.
  • Pullups, chinups, pullups on the rings are all legit. No kipping though!
  • Total amount of pullups may be broken up into multiple sets as needed, as long as they are done in the same day
  • If you miss a day, you must make up that volume the next day. (e.g., miss the 12th and you need to do 25 on the 13th!)
  • When the day’s workout or warmup includes strict pullups, you may count those towards that day’s pullups (but no, you cannot “bank” excess pullups for later in the week)
  • Yes, this challenge will include Sundays, so either familiarize yourself with local parks that have pullup bars or follow Sean’s lead and purchase a doorway pullup bar.

I would suggest most people would also benefit from doing an equal number of pushups each day. If you currently don’t have a single strict pullup or chinup, look at Ruth’s post “Pull Ups by the Numbers”, pick your stage in the progression and stick with it for the month. Most days you will find it easiest to sneak in your reps during warmups, between sets or at the end of class. Since you start with only ONE rep, it’s pretty easy to hit the ground running and allow your strength to keep pace with the volume. I’ll be playing along this time and we will be starting on Thursday, March 1st. So… who’s in? Ask any other questions in the comments

See also:

Upping Your Pull Ups

Pull Ups By the Numbers

The Pull Up vs Chin Up

UPDATE:

I love the interest so far! Here’s our little “accountability role call”, if you will. Starting tomorrow, when you see fellow participants in class, make sure to ask them if they’ve done their reps yet!

  1. Marcus + pushups
  2. Tami
  3. Ruth + pushups
  4. Josh
  5. Holley + pushups
  6. Alia
  7. Amy + pushups
  8. Brian + pushups
  9. Amanda
  10. Pablo
  11. Mike S.
  12. Cristina + pushups
  13. Corrine + pushups
  14. Sean + pushups
  15. Ray + pushups
  16. Mark + pushups
  17. Brady + pushups
  18. Jake + pushups
  19. Mike H. + pushups
  20. Tyler + pushups
  21. Stephanie + pushups
  22. Patrick + pushups
  23. Celina + pushups
  24. Tom + pushups
  25. Dan + pushups
  26. AJ + pushups
  27. Troy + pushups
  28. Michelle + pushups
  29. Kathy + pushups

WOD 02.29.12

Bench Press 3×5
Deadlift 1×5

28 Responses to “Unofficial March Challenge”

tami
February 29, 2012 at 7:52 AM

Hey Marcus, I’m in.

ruth
February 29, 2012 at 8:23 AM

I’m SO in! What great timing, Marcus!

Josh
February 29, 2012 at 8:24 AM

I’ll do it.

Holley
February 29, 2012 at 8:30 AM

I’m in, for pull ups and push ups.

Alia
February 29, 2012 at 8:43 AM

I’m down!

Amy
February 29, 2012 at 8:50 AM

I’m in! I’ve been really trying to work on my pull ups and push ups so this is perfect! Thanks Marcus!

Brian
February 29, 2012 at 8:55 AM

challenge accepted marcus.

Amanda
February 29, 2012 at 9:08 AM

IN! DEFINITELY IN!
!

paul aka pablo
February 29, 2012 at 9:15 AM

I’m so in, too!

Mike S
February 29, 2012 at 10:34 AM

I’m in.

I have a doorway pullup bar that I can’t use (my door moldings are too tall), so if anyone wants it just let me know and I’ll leave it for you.

Cristina
February 29, 2012 at 10:53 AM

I’m so close to one strict pull up. How can I say no? I’m in.

Corrine
February 29, 2012 at 11:10 AM

I’m in! Plus pushups. Thanks, Marcus. I needed this!

Sean
February 29, 2012 at 12:18 PM

Great idea Marcus. I plan on joining the March pullup Madness (+pushups).

Ray
February 29, 2012 at 12:50 PM

I’m in!

Ray
February 29, 2012 at 12:52 PM

+pushups

Mark Miller (M^2)
February 29, 2012 at 1:20 PM

In +pushups.
Time to get the upper body in toe with the lower body.
Got a pull up bar at middle school across the street from my abode in Santa Monica.

Brady
February 29, 2012 at 1:55 PM

I’m in +pushups!

Jake
February 29, 2012 at 2:12 PM

In for both

Anna
February 29, 2012 at 2:22 PM

Nice WOD Face Mike.

March Madness 16-19 in Vegas… 90 may be too many to make up on Monday!

Cristina
February 29, 2012 at 2:48 PM

Ok add me for push ups

Marcus
February 29, 2012 at 2:59 PM

@Anna — you have a few options:
1) knock out some pullups while you’re in Vegas, even if you don’t do the full quantity. I’m sure you can find SOMEthing to hang off of. Then your debt isn’t as great when you return
2) break up your “make up” when you return (i.e., 36 on the 20th, 38 on the 21st, etc.)
3) do the challenge until the 16th and drop out. Just because you can’t finish doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever start!

Michael H
February 29, 2012 at 3:12 PM

I’m in for both w/ 10lb vest.

@Anna: ha ha ha

Tyler
February 29, 2012 at 3:42 PM

In. In.

Stephanie
February 29, 2012 at 5:46 PM

In + pushups

Patrick
February 29, 2012 at 6:02 PM

Me too. And celina. Plus pushups.

Tom
February 29, 2012 at 8:59 PM

Pullups + Pushups in Trashcanistan…

Dan
February 29, 2012 at 9:24 PM

I’m in for pullups and pushups. Thanks Mike for the doorway pullup bar!

ruth
February 29, 2012 at 9:31 PM

oh, and in+ pushups. Anna, you guys can borrow our doorway pull up bar in vegas. No excuses!! ;)