Well, as embarrassing as this is, at least it’s progress: although I’m now old enough to withdraw from my IRA without penalty, today was the first time I’ve been able to do unassisted pull-ups. Yeah.
When I was young, and not a fatass, I probably could’ve done them if I knew what the hell I was doing, but I didn’t. I was trying to do them by, essentially, curling my body weight. That wasn’t going to work.
The lowest the assisted weight goes on the machine I’ve been using is 20 pounds, and that’s almost more of a pain in the ass than a help so after doing three sets of 8 last week I decided to give unassisted a shot. Three sets of five. Again, at least it’s progress.
Along with other stuff, including 225 for sets on the bench press, I’d say I’m stronger than I’ve been in probably 30+ years. To paraphrase the guy from Renaissance Periodization, I want to be over-qualified to take care of myself as I get even older, so at least that arrow is pointing in the right direction.