This blog post is dedicated to a question I received from one of my Hardcore readers.
He is preparing for a upcoming test he needs to take to get into an elite military unit. To pass the physical fitness test, he must be able to perform 50 push ups in 2 mins and also be able to perform a high level of pull ups.
His question was, “How do I increase my pull ups and push ups while also adding on mass and strength?”
This is a great question and the reason why this is so great is that you can I fact gain lots of strength, mass, and improve your overall muscular endurance all at once.
What I have done is outline the basics in the video below and supply a sample workout program you can follow below to BUILD more Bodyweight Strength, Muscle, and Endurance.
Sample Program to Increase Pull Ups, Push Ups, and Overall Strength and Mass
***There will be 3 days/ week all FULL BODY focused
***End each session with 3 sets of grip work paired with 3 sets of ab work
***Before you start this program, make sure you TEST out your MAX reps Push Ups and MAX reps Pull Ups. This will be the LAST time you go to failure on these movements for a while.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zmc8I_cN-A[/youtube]
Day 1A – Pull Heavy, Push Light
1A) Deadlift 5 x 5
2A) Bent 1 Arm DB Rows 4 x 6-10/ arm
3A) Wall Walks OR Handstand Push Ups 3 x submax
3B) DB Farmer Walks 3 x max distance
Day 2A – Push Heavy, Pull Light
1A) Bench Press 5 x 5
2A) BW Pull Ups 4 x submax
2B) DB OR KB Goblet Squat 4 x 10
3A) Weighted Push Ups 4 x 6-10
3B) KB Swings 4 x 10-15
Day 3A – Pull Heavy, Push Light
1A) Barbell Power Cleans 4 x 5
2A) Bent Barbell Rows 4 x 6
3A) Push Ups 3 x submax
3B) Barbell RDL 3 x 12
Day 1B – Push Heavy, Pull Light
1A) Power Press w/ Barbell OR Single Arm Push Press w/ DB 4 x 4-6 OR 4-6 / arm
2A) Recline Rows on TRX, Ropes, or Squat Rack 4 x submax
2B) Lunge Jumps
3A) Single Arm DB Floor Press 4 x 8 / Arm
3B) Band Pull Aparts OR Bent T- Raises w/ DB’s 4 x 10
Day 2B) – Pull Heavy, Push Light
1A) DB OR KB 1 Arm Snatch 4 x 5/ arm
2A) Weighted Pull Ups 5 x 5
3A) Push Ups OR Dips 3 x Submax
3B) DB Step Ups 3 x 10/ leg
Day 3B) Push Heavy, Pull Light
1A) Bench Press OR DB Bench Press 5 x 5
2A) Blast Strap Weighted Push Ups 4 x 10
2B) Barbell or DB Front Squats 4 x 8
3A) DB Bent Rows 4 x 10
3B) KB Swings 4 x 15
I would rotate through these 6 workouts at least 3-4 total times. And take a whole week to deload the body.
Retest in your MAX Push Ups and MAX Pull Ups again after a deload week.
You should be able to blast through your earlier maxes with ease!
Live Aggressive and Get Strong!
Travis
PS – If you’re trying to build up more strength and overall endurance with your bodyweight, check out Project: Mobile and Hostile
PPS – Got Questions, Thoughts? Post em up in the comments below!