How One Athlete Chased a Pull-Up Bar Record at 81

"When you see a pull-up bar, there's one physical activity that likely comes to mind: pull-ups. While they've lent this piece of equipment its name, they aren't the only physical feat that an athlete can accomplish using them. In 2022, for instance, Japan's Kenta Adachi set a new world record for hanging from a pull-up bar for well over an hour."

"Sustaining the dead hang position has plenty of health benefits. One Healthline article noted that the fitness benefits of the dead hang can both help athletes looking to complete more pull-ups and are good for overall finess on their own. Even if you aren't looking to set a new world record, spending time every day in a dead hang position can be good for your shoulders."

"There were many obstacles to Sumner's pursuit of the record, from arthritis to grief over the recent death of her husband. Sumner wound up hanging from the bar for three minutes and three seconds - a time that dramatically exceeded her previous attempts.The Times credits a number of factors, including Sumner's own talent for sustaining this position, her work with personal trainer Eve Lawrence and her discovery of certain ways of making the task easier, including crossing her ankles."

Pull-up bars enable more than pull-ups; athletes can also perform the dead hang for fitness and records. The dead hang strengthens shoulders and can improve pull-up performance. Individuals have set endurance records, such as Kenta Adachi's 2022 hour-plus hang and Annie Judis's 2025 record as the oldest person at 81. Bonnie Sumner, age 81, pursued a similar record despite arthritis and recent bereavement, ultimately holding a dead hang for three minutes and three seconds, surpassing her prior efforts. Factors contributing to success included technique adjustments, trainer guidance, and ways to reduce difficulty, such as crossing the ankles. Exercise remains beneficial across ages.

Read at InsideHook