Chris - that is awesome. I know quite a few bikers and there's a real community spirit amongst them. Sounds like your group's really cool - amazing to be back on the road so quickly!

Freddy - I'm only up to 9. Stopped trying to increase my reps a few months ago after tendonitis worries (I don't think it was - just some strained ligaments or whatever, but it made me pretty paranoid). After Lee having to take time off, I realise that no-one's invincible, so definitely going to take it slow. Did day 2 of the 50 pull-ups program today. Went fine. Will do my max rep test next weekend I think.

I have a good program for increasing max pull-ups without risk of tendonitis. It's worth a look at. It's similar to the twentpullups and 50pullups program.

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Note: You only do this workout on Mon, Wed, Fri... OR Tue, Thu, Sat. Anything with that pattern, 3 times per week, with 1 day between each. That's all I did, too. Don't do it every day.

The structure is always like this...
Pull-ups, Chin-ups, Pull-ups, Chin-ups, Pull-ups
Rest 90 seconds between each set always

Level 4: Amateur

Week 1...
Day 1: 7,8,7,5,5 (Total: 32)
Day 2: 8,8,7,7,4 (Total: 34)
Day 3: 7,8,8,7,5 (Total: 35)

Week 2...
Day 1: 9,8,7,6,6 (Total: 36)
Day 2: 8,9,8,7,5 (Total: 37)
Day 3: 9,9,8,6,6 (Total: 38)

Week 3...
Day 1: 10,8,7,6,6 (Total: 37)
Day 2: 9,10,8,7,5 (Total: 39)
Day 3: 9,10,9,7,6 (Total: 41)

Week 4...
Day 1: 10,9,9,7,6 (Total: 41)
Day 2: 10,10,9,7,5 (Total: 41)
Day 3: 10,10,9,8,6 (Total: 43)

Week 5...
Day 1: 10,10,9,9,8 (Total: 46)
Day 2: 10,10,9,9,9 (Total: 47)
Day 3: 10,9,10,9,9 (Total: 47)

My progress was very good with it. I started at 14 Pull-Ups and finished with 21 Pull-Ups after 7 full weeks. That means I failed 6 workouts in total, which isn't that much!

This level is supposed to take you to "at least 15, but most folks can knock out over 20 at this point!"

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There's an easier level before this too. I'll post it here. It has the same structure as the above (always pull,chin,pull,chin,pull with 90 sec. rests).

Level 3: Varsity

Week 1:
Day 1: 3,3,2,3,2 (Total: 13)
Day 2: 3,4,3,3,2 (Total: 15)
Day 3: 4,4,3,3,2 (Total: 16)

Week 2:
Day 1: 4,5,4,4,3 (Total: 20)
Day 2: 5,4,5,4,4 (Total: 22)
Day 3: 4,6,4,5,4 (Total: 23)

Week 3:
Day 1: 6,5,5,4,3 (Total: 23)
Day 2: 5,6,5,4,2 (Total: 22)
Day 3: 5,6,6,5,2 (Total: 24)

Week 4:
Day 1: 5,6,6,6,3 (Total: 26)
Day 2: 5,6,7,6,3 (Total: 27)
Day 3: 5,7,6,6,3 (Total: 27)

Week 5:
Day 1: 5,6,7,7,3 (Total: 28)
Day 2: 6,6,7,6,4 (Total: 29)
Day 3: 7,7,6,6,4 (Total: 30)

I used this with 20kg added starting from Week 1 but I decided to stop after 2 weeks because my goals changed. It increased my max from 8 to 11/12 though!

This level is supposed to take you "up to 14 reps (or more!)"

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I'll post this on the routines section too.

Not bad, when I started in January I was on 0 pullups haha. Now on 15-17 so not too bad. I'm going to start weighted pullups to increase my strength which should up my reps quicker.

Got my first free handstanding pushup today super stoked! I actually managed 2 reps but the second rep was off form when pushing upwards. A step closer to my tiger bend goal, and others..

Front lever is coming on nicely too now, I love calisthenics

Just got back from Primrose. A good session. Got 10 chin-ups. Did day 3 of the 50pullups program, which was fine. Felt strong all day, apart from the 30 degree heat I like the 50PU program as it gives you a routine based on your reps. It is pretty similar though - you do it every other day for the first three sessions, then take two days off, then do the last three sessions every other. I have to say that training on the bar every other day is something that's working well for me all round - definitely stops over-training!

And nice one on the front lever Freddy! I did some tuck holds today

I need a session down Primrose, would be great for a UK meet down there. Should probably organise something

How long are you holding the tuck lever? I'm currently holding an advanced tuck 5-10 seconds, soon as I hit 20-30 seconds I'll go to straddle or one legged levers

Between 5 and 10s. More like 10 now. Gonna start trying to put alternate legs out soon - tried a few times but can't really hold it. Need to find a way to strengthen my lower back more as I think that's a weak point.

Can't wait til Monday, back into training then. I get up for work about 6am, and leave between 7.30-7.45 so I'm going to get all my crap ready the night before, get up and have a quick breakfast then get in a 45-60 minute session before work I reckon.

Work isn't that hard so if I go in sore or tired I'll still be fine. I just don't have the mindset to workout after work atm, I'll try the mornings for now but might end up shifting times etc. Like getting up half an hour earlier to get more in or something.

I'm up for a Primrose session, although I won't be able to get down for a couple of months at least, and may even be the start of next year before I have the money spare. I know there's a decent group that meet there already, but we should try and get as many from this thread there on one day as we can.

Fi: I'm going to bodge this week a little. I'll do a max test Monday and see what I get, then either start from day two of the appropriate cycle on Wednesday, or do some mash up sessions for the rest of the week and start the cycle next Monday.

It's surprising how well that routine works though, I don't see why people have put it down so much.

Morning training - dedicated! I don't think I could do that. But sounds like it will fit in around work perfectly, and give you the time to chill in the evening.

And yeah - so far I've been actually really happy with that program. Started off thinking it was easy, then switched that to "oh sh*t actually this could be really hard", but now I think it's just right. I've been doing quite a bit of other stuff as well as the routine, so quite glad to be taking two days off pull-ups now, although I have a day out the office tomorrow so was thinking of checking out a new park, which might mean only one day off Maybe I'll just resist the pull-ups.

Actually I was thinking this morning that I'm quite excited to do the max rep test - gonna video it as I reckon it'll definitely be over 10 - maybe more like 12.

I do two sessions in one day most weeks, morning before work and afternoon after work. Great progress from this, lots of volume and intensity

Just done my first early morning session, all be it a light one. Up at half five and out by six, only did max pull ups, push ups and dips to see how I fair after a few days off and see if I have any little niggles from the accident.

I got 8 pull ups, 15 dips and only 20 push ups which is disappointing :/ But I'll work from here and soon get them up again. I just need to ease into this cos I'm still half asleep now so I need to get used to the cycle so I feel more awake in the mornings.

My right wrist feels a little sore/stiff afterwards so I'll keep an eye on that today and do some wrist mobility stuff on break and at lunch just to keep it moving.

Contemplating getting up the same time monday to friday and adding runs in on tues/thurs as well as my strength stuff every other day. I just need to be committed enough to actually go as running is the one thing I always give up on.

Sounding like some good progress all around guys! Nice one!
I've put a picture of my home set up on my website, also a sudden spurt in progress on the front lever. I'm getting about 8 seconds with best being around 10. http://www.charliesharpe.co.uk [url=http://www.charliesharpe.co.uk ]http://www.charliesharpe.co.uk [/url]
I've got a few kettlebells, 20kg vest, rings, couple of bags (boxing + kickboxing) some homemade stuff like parallettes, bulgarian bags etc so can keep pretty busy! Just need to use it all now

Nice blog Charlie! Commented and subscribed

And nice lever too!

Cool Thanks! I plan to put a how to build plan up online although there are a few around if you search for them. The hardest part is making sure everything is aligned but nothing majorly difficult if you have a bit of building experience.

Had a bit of time at work today so had a browse through both your blogs, some great stuff all round!

I'm struggling a bit at the moment. Getting up at half five to work out is a pain, I'm so tired and have little motivation that early, but I have no other time to do it. I don't even have time to watch a couple of youtube videos or anything to get psyched up. I'm falling back and losing all my progress atm, I really need to kick myself into gear in the morning and bust my arse to prove to myself that the early morning sessions are nothing and I can still do just as much and reap the benefits.

EDIT: To save time in the mornings I'm going to try pairing exercises. The guy that wrote "Overcoming Gravity" has given me some tips via reddit so I'll give it a go and see how I do.

If I'm doing Mon/Weds/Fri but not doing as much as I used to due to time et, would it be alright to add in another workout on saturday when I have the time to be more focused and really work myself?