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One of the common differences between lifting weights and performing bodyweight exercise is how the average person chooses to progress. Most people who lift weights do so with the goal of lifting more weight. For example, if you can bench 225 pounds (2 plates), there’s a good chance that you someday hope to bench 315 pounds (3 plates). Conversely, many bodyweight exercisers care more about performing more reps. For instance, if you can currently perform 10 pull-ups, I wouldn’t be surprised if you are working towards 15 or 20 reps. Yet, while higher rep goals can be fun to achieve, there are other ways to progress.

Don’t Fear Rep Loss

I recently came across a question on my forum from a man who had bulked up and gained strength. The added size made it more difficult for him to perform certain bodyweight exercises however.

In his words:

“I like being bigger but the extra weight has done a number on my pull-ups.”

I’ve seen similar concerns voiced many times over the years. Many athletes wish to gain size, yet fear losing reps in their favorite bodyweight exercises. The question that arises is whether it’s better to gain size and strength, or instead to stay lean and maximize bodyweight capabilities.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single answer to the question. Ultimately, the ideal answer depends on the goals that are pertinent to the individual. I’m not here to tell everyone what body type they should strive to achieve. What I can say however is that gaining size isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As I’ve discussed before, working against more resistance (i.e. a heavier body) can be viewed as a plus. Training against more resistance typically results in more strength. Just because you might perform less reps does not mean that you haven’t gained strength. Relative strength and absolute strength are not the same.

Beyond Bodyweight

Fortunately, if you aren’t interested in gaining size, there are other ways to progress outside of simply performing more reps. With a little creativity, almost any bodyweight exercise can be made more difficult. For this particular entry, we can use the example of pull-ups from above. One of my favorite ways to increase the difficulty of a bodyweight pull-up is by adding a grip challenge. In the pictures below, I’ve actually added two.

First, I’m performing pull-ups from a 2 inch thick manila rope. Thick rope pull-ups naturally make the exercise more difficult. To increase the challenge more, I’m also wearing a thick pair of fleece gloves.

Separating the hands from the rope with gloves dramatically increases the difficulty of this exercise. The thicker and smoother the gloves, the more difficult it becomes. You’ll need to squeeze the rope with all of your strength to avoid sliding down as you perform each rep.

Since I first demoed this variation in my Untapped Strength book, I’ve had countless readers comment how they completely underestimated its difficulty. This variation certainly classifies as one that looks easier than it is. What’s even better though is that it will cost next to nothing to try. All you’ll need is an old pair of winter gloves. And if you don’t have gloves, a similar challenge can be achieved with portable thick grip attachments. You can make your own for just a few dollars (ex. see here).

In summary, there’s nothing wrong with striving to perform more reps of a bodyweight exercise. I simply urge you against limiting yourself to higher rep goals. There’s much more to strength development than performing countless reps. Challenging yourself against greater resistance is one of the most effective and efficient ways to progress.

Related Entries:

• Rope Climbing Alternatives
• Homemade Thick Grips
• A Blessing In “The Size”

“The greater the difficulty, the greater the glory.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero