Women Can’t Do Pull Ups?!

This ARTICLE from the New York Times has been flooding my email box. Basically the articles states that women can’t do pull ups because:

Lower Testosterone:

Lower levels of testosterone means they have less lean muscle mass in comparison to men.

Size:

“if you compare a smaller athlete to an athlete who has the same exact build but is 30 percent bigger, the bigger athlete will be only about 20 percent stronger, even though he has to carry about 30 percent more weight.”

Lever Angles:

Dr. Vanderburgh also goes on to state : “Generally speaking, the longer the limb, the more of a disadvantage in being able to do a pull-up. I look at a volleyball player and wouldn’t expect her to be able to do a pull-up, but I know she’s fit.”

My Thoughts:

While the three points stated above will make an impact on strength levels and can subsequently make it a “disadvantage”, it does NOT mean you CAN’T do a pull up, especially females.

Check out Neghar Fonooni of Girls Gone Strong doing 16 pull ups!

Look at George St-Pierre  trying to do a one arm pull up:

Ok, he couldn’t do it BUT look at this guy:

At 215lbs he’s at a mechanical disadvantage from an extremely lean and fit GSP!

What’s Missing?

A key point to note is the program design and progression. How did the test subjects progress to the pull up, did they do lat pull downs, rows, push ups etc… and expect to do a pull up off of auxiliary movements? Did they even do pull ups? Was it assisted? Negatives? etc… there’s a lot of question that need to be answered in respect to program design and progressions.

As for the Volleyball statement, while it was a genearl comment, I hate excuses! EVERY volleyball player I’ve worked with has been able to do a 3 or more pull ups. With the RIGHT program, progression, and good COACHING, it can be done!