I found this on the net the other day. Pretty interesting read... Pull Your Own Weight "Pull Ten": A Simple Solution To Obesity by RICK OSBOURNE M.S. Our school kids are fat and getting fatter according to many recent studies. (1) And, as the problem grows, the solutions to the problem have been conspicuously absent. I have a simple solution to the problem that I would like to recommend to anyone interested in the problem of obesity in this country. I suggest that we require all students graduating from junior high, high school, and college to be able to do 10 pull-ups in order to graduate. The reason for this recommendation are very simple. First and foremost, it has been my observation that obese people cannot do pull-ups. So if "PULL 10" was a graduation requirement, we would be rewarding healthy eating habits, regular exercise programs, and all those things we talk about in physical education class. Furthermore, we would not be graduating obese people from our nation's schools. The health and economic problems related to obesity by this date are too numerous to list. But this simple 10 pull-up requirement would decrease the problem of obesity in our nation's school children (recently dubbed couch potatoes) dramatically. This is where the obesity problem generally begins. Secondly, pull-ups are psychologically, physically, and economically accessible to anyone. For certain people resistance training can be both intimidating and confusing. But pull-ups are familiar and understandable to virtually everyone. Furthermore, if approached correctly, almost anyone has the physical potential to learn to do pull-ups. Economically speaking, pull-ups take very little out of the budget and very little room in the house. Actually the closest tree limb will serve as a first class pull-up bar. Probably the least expensive yet "sophisticated" exercise unit on the market today is a simple pull-up bar. A pull bar also takes up almost no space when placed at the top of the kitchen or the bedroom door. Pull-ups are also relatively safe. With no plates and no weight stacks and the body weight as the only resistance factor, pull-ups are very unlikely to cause injury. And the natural hanging produces a decompressing of the spine that is actually good for the lower back. The functional feedback potential of "PULLING 10" after graduation is also very significant. Once you learn to do 10 pulls, you can use this exercise as an accessible and functional guideline to body composition. To explain, chins are a member of a family of exercise known as Somatatrophic Exercise. Somatatrophic Exercise includes all exercise activity in which the body weight is the major resistance factor (i.e. pulls, dips, hand stand push ups, running, gymnastics and dance). One of the most important characteristics of somatatrophic exercises is that they offer a natural performance payoff for fat loss, and natural performance penalty for fat gain, and a natural proportionality if weight is gained but performance is maintained. Take, for example, a person who weighs 150 lbs. and can do 10 pull ups. If this person can manage to maintain his strength (muscle mass) yet lose 10% of his body weight (in fat because muscle mass is maintained), he will soon be doing more pull ups (payoff). On the other hand, if he maintains his strength but gains weight (again in fat), he will soon be doing fewer pull ups (penalty). The third possibility comes into play when the person gains 10% in body weight but is still able to do his 10 pulls. If this occurs, it simply means that the participant has increased his muscle mass proportionally in the weight gaining process. Thus, the three P's of somatatrophic exercise can be used in conjunction with pull ups for the rest of your life as a functional acid test when it comes to body composition. If you can maintain the ability to do 10 pull-ups the rest of your life, you can rest assured that you will never be significantly overweight. Finally, pull-ups work the arms, the shoulder girdle muscles and the large muscles of the back. These upper torso muscles have been found to be particularly weak in the student population of this country and they simply need the training. To take this suggestion one step further, if each employer, public or private, would screen his potential employees with a simple "PULL 10". Obesity and related health costs, absenteeism, and turnover would all decrease dramatically. On the other hand, self esteem, production, sociability and the ability to work with other employees would increase in a similar fashion. (2) Therefore, to offer a simple solution to the growing problem of student and employee obesity in this country, I suggest that each should be required to "PULL 10" before he can graduate or be hired. If we required "PULL 10" in this fashion, we would be graduating and hiring a much healthier, happier and productive individual. We would also be encouraging a much healthier economic climate in the process. 1. Dr. Wm. H. Dietz, American Journal of Diseases of Children, May, 1987 issue. 2. Not to discriminate of course we will presume that ownership can do much better than just "PULL 10". Rick Osbourne is available for workshops, seminars and consulting. Specific questions can be addressed to: Rick Osbourne 21W280 Coronet Rd. Lombard, IL 60148 (312) 495-9698
Interesting theory -- however I'm not sure that it can be evenly applied to males and females. Males have a great deal more upper body strength and find exercises like pull-ups to be far less challenging than females. I'm not overweight and I work out regularly, but I'm not easily able to do 10 pull-ups.
Plus, just think of all the work that lawyers will get from challenging this requirement in court. So, it's good for the legal profession, too. (And I actually can do 10 pull-ups even though I'm in horrible shape).
I like this law. So many Americans (I don't mean white people, I mean AMERICANS,) are outta shape, overweight. How about... Guys: 15 pull ups Girls: 10 pull ups
I have to agree with you that there should be a different standard for females, Mrs. JB. I have been doing pull-ups since the end of January two days a week. I do 2 sets of 11 each with my palms facing away from me (I think having your palms facing you makes it whole lot easier), and they get pretty tough at the end. I don't know if I would go as far as not hiring someone for a job if they couldn't do 10 pull-ups, but it is an interesting perspective. One thing that troubles me is that some people are "naturally" or "genetically" obese. What do you do about that? Make a special exception?
Why the name change MR? That freaked me out when I saw Comic Book Guy and 3500 post? I was like who the heck is that? As much as I would like to see some sort of national health iniative, it would probably be impossible legally. You can't force someone to exercise... Something has to be done, Obesity will be the #1 cause of death soon. Things are too easy now and the food is too junky. So a kid that plays on the PC and watches TV all day while eating Doritos and drinking Pepsi is going to be doomed... anyone else thirsty?
I was inspired by you, Sonny... Nah, actually, I have been contemplating this for awhile. I am not happy with MLB right now, and I would rather not have as my handle the name of a MLB player. "The Simpsons" is my favorite show and "Comic Book Guy" is my favorite character. Looking back, I guess I should have just asked it to be changed to "Manny" but oh well, this is the name I wanted in the first place if I had really thought it out.
I always thought I would make a good muse. I am so tired of baseball, they are really driving it into the ground. It will never be the same again for me, with Cal Ripken gone I don't think there is anyone else that still plays because they love the game, it is all $$$. If I see a game again it will be high school or college... but this rant is for another thread.
I think such a law/rule/requirement would be discriminatory. The author thinks everyone is capable of doing ten pull-ups. I don't think this is true. Obesity is not the only factor that might influence someone's ability to do ten pull-ups, as Mrs. JB pointed out. My main issue with the argument, however, is it assumes obesity is a problem that can be fixed with diet and exercise. While diet and exercise promotes good health and a healthy weight can be a component of that, it is not true that much obesity can be eliminated or controlled through discipline.' I think a requirement like this is clearly discriminatory toward obese people as well as others, and the logic faulty and insulting.
I know I, for one, could not do 10 pull ups. Heck, I'd be lucky to do 1. In no way am I obese, though I used to be a couple of years ago before losing 80 lbs. In my opinion, any weight test would be discriminatory against people who simply aren't strong, whether intentionally, genetically, or otherwise. Does a marathon runner need to worry about lifting themselves up 10 times? How about the everyday student? Encouraging exercise and healthy eating patterns is one thing - and for most people, it works. I know it did for me, although it is a struggle I'll deal with for probably the rest of my life. But you can't just discriminate against those who simply cannot lose the weight, no matter how hard they try. It's not like 10 pull ups is a service being provided to you or one that you buy, it would be a forced requirement that really has nothing to do with whether you are smart enough to get out of high school and into college or not.
Just when I thought I had heard it all I was wrong. This proposed requirement is absolutely, bar none the DUMBEST thing I have EVER HEARD!!!! Should we be concerned with the physical well being of children? Yep! Should we make fitness a requirement to graduate from an institution of education? No...DUH! What's next? We're worried about teenage pregnancy so if you've kissed a member of the opposite sex, no junior high graduation for you...and if you've had sex kiss those college admissions goodbye because you're not graduating from OUR high schools. I'll tell you what...I've got one better...let's graduate ONLY the students who are fit enough to be on one of the sports teams. No college for those eggheads with 1500 SATs. This is stupid.
Not sure why its insulting to say that obesity can be controlled through diet and exercise. That is pretty much a fact. Obviously if someone had a medical condition (thyroid problems etc) they would get an exemption. Otherwise, what is the problem? You would have four YEARS to work your way up to 10 pullups (or whatever the agreed uppon number would be in relation to Mrs. JB's post). And I think a bigger point is the question 'what function does school serve to the general populace?' Is it just 'book learnin' or is it supposed to be preparing us for life once we reach adulthood. I see no reason why HEALTH is less important than a high SAT score. Whether you're a scrawny geek or a football player, you ought not to be a fat ass. Our schools are preparing you for the rest of your life, and that certainly should include physical AND mental development. Currently no one cares if you get great grades but are likely to die twenty years earlier than your peers simply because the schools don't EDUCATE our children properly about nutrition and exercise. Instead they put soda machines in the lunchroom and (LOL) the gym!
Not everyone has the same metabolism, which would mean it would take some more work to achieve the goal than others. Of course some have more learning potential than others as well, but in that case you have honors classes, etc. to compensate. That's just one issue I can see off the top of my head.
Me neither. I usually do 2 sets of 10 pullups after I've already done my back workout. If I start my workout with pullups, I need an extra 15-25 lbs hanging from my waist otherwise they are too easy. Back to the topic though, it's a ridiculous idea to make something like this a requirement to graduate. If anything we need to revamp our physical education requirements to actually make kids work to pass the class, just like any other class. PE teachers should work with each individual to improve their health by setting individual goals to attain throughout the school year.
I think this is the key to improving fitness. When I was in school, the coaches didn't get after the kids who walked during the weekly mile run, who walked around while we played football,basketball, etc. and who benched 2 pounds (using a broomstick as a bar ) in weight training. Obviously, the coaches can't keep an eye on everyone (especially when the class has 200+ kids) but I think you could make the class more stringent. And the fear of failing PE might get some kids off their asses and get in passable (if not athlete-level) shape. BTW, I could never do 10 chin ups but I've never been overweight either (unless 6'1 and 165 is considered overweight).
Schools are ACADEMIC institutions. Gyms are PHYSICAL institutions. You don't see them teaching calculus at Bally's. Why is this so hard to understand? I'm so happy for you that you are the next coming of Charles Atlas. I'm not obese (unless you think 6'5", 240 is obese), but being obese shouldn't keep you from getting your diploma. More government. The bottom line is that only a complete and total moron would think that such a requirement for graduation is a good idea. If it is ever put into law or policy I will gladly represent anybody who wants to challenge it in court.
