Rolling Thunder®
Pull-up rules and world records
The Rolling Thunder deadlift is a marquee event in the grip strength world, but what about combining its grip challenges with a universal test of upper body strength? Meet Rolling Thunder pull-ups. And for those who walk on the wild side, how about one-arm pull-ups using a Rolling Thunder? Want one more to demonstrate total lower arm supremacy? How about a 1RM Rolling Thunder pull-up (weight of the competitor plus the added weight, highest total weight wins).
Rules follow. Comments, questions, suggestions? Want to hold a contest or submit potential records for review and evaluation? Please contact sales@ironmind.com
Rolling Thunder Pull-Up Rules
1. An authentic current-model IronMind® Rolling Thunder® handle must be used, it cannot have been modified in any way, and it must be inspected to ensure that it revolves freely: holding the handle, lift the triangular metal frame and rotate it until it is horizontal (parallel to the ground). Release the metal frame to demonstrate that it rotates back to its original vertical position (pointing toward the ground) under its own weight. The Rolling Thunder must be wiped clean before each attempt.
2. The athlete grabs the Rolling Thunder handle at approximately its center and pulls with the handle remaining approximately parallel to the ground. The lifter's hand should not touch the non-revolving part of the handle, and a thumbless grip is not permitted. Pull-ups may be done with one arm or two.
3. The athlete must not touch the ground at any time during the pull-up attempt.
4. The athlete must start from a deadhang position with fully-extended arms, and not swing or kip during the attempt. The athlete's chin must go higher than the top edge of the Rolling Thunder® handle, and then he or she can return to the deadhang position with a controlled descent. The athlete does as many repetitions as he or she can—there is no time limit.
5. For maximum weight attempts, both the athlete and the weights must be weighed on a demonstrably accurate scale.
6. Videos must include 1) a demonstration that the Rolling Thunder handle(s) are legal and 2) footage of the athlete's complete performance (filmed from the front, side or another angle that clearly shows the range of motion for each rep attempted).
7. Ordinary chalk (magnesium carbonate) may be used on the lifter’s hand, but nothing else is permitted (liquid chalk, for example, is specifically disallowed). No chalk may be applied directly to the Rolling Thunder.
Also see IronMind's grip contest rules for extra attempts.
Print out a copy of the Rules and Referee Form and take it with you to your official attempt.
Please contact sales@ironmind.com if you have any questions.
Rolling Thunder World Records
Men's One-Arm World Record - Reps
| Date | Reps | |
| Fitsz Dubova | September 11, 2016 | 1 |
Men's Two-Arm World Record - Max Weight
| Date | BW + Attached Weight | |
| Nikita Yurkovets | October 20, 2021 | 172.1 kg |
| Chad Gustin | October 24, 2020 | 166.92 kg |
| Alexey Tyukalov | January 25, 2020 | 165.05 kg |
| Alexey Tyukalov | January 25, 2020 | 162.85 kg |
| Alexey Tyukalov | January 27, 2019 | 161.5 kg |
| Alexey Tyukalov | January 27, 2019 | 156.5 kg |
| Alexey Tyukalov | January 7, 2018 | 155.5 kg |
| Thomas Larsen | June 4, 2016 | 154.25 kg |
| Eirik Bruun Ingebretsen | June 4, 2016 | 150.90 kg |
Men's Two-Arm World Record - Reps
| Date | Reps | |
| Denny Ployhar | April 1, 2023 | 30 |
| Denny Ployhar | September 19, 2022 | 28 |
| Evan Raftopoulos | October 29, 2016 | 27 |
| Fitsz Dubova | September 11, 2016 | 18 |
Teenage Men's Two-Arm World Record - Reps
| Date | Reps | |
| World Standard* | July 11, 2018 | 15* |
*the world standard must be exceeded by at least 1 rep to set the inaugural world record
Women's Two-Arm World Record - Max Weight
| Date | BW + Attached Weight | |
| World Standard* | March 22, 2017 | 94 kg |
*the world standard must be exceeded by at least 1 kg to set the inaugural world record
Women's Two-Arm World Record - Reps
| Date | Reps | |
| Elisa Pagani | September 15, 2021 | 10 |
| Julia Williams | January 6, 2018 | 9 |
| Christiane Schmidt | November 11, 2017 | 8 |
| Christiane Schmidt | July 29, 2017 | 7 |
Teenage Women's Two-Arm World Record - Reps
| Date | Reps | |
| World Standard* | July 11, 2018 | 5* |
*the world standard must be exceeded by at least 1 rep to set the inaugural world record
Peter Mortensen, a rock climber from Denmark, does a one-arm pull-up on a Rolling Thunder® Revolving Deadlift Handle: “There seems to be a strong correlation between strength on revolving handles or dumbbells (especially thick handles) and climbing hand strength . . .,” Peter told us. Reprinted from the 2009 IronMind® catalog - Volume Eighteen, with permission. IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Peter Mortensen.
Nikita Yurkovets (Belarus) did an easy 172.1 kg to break the world record for Rolling Thunder (maximum weight) pull-ups. Yurkovets is 24 years old, weighs about 119 kg and is 192 cm tall. IronMind® | Courtesy of Nikita Yurkovets
Elisa Pagani knocked off 10 reps to break the women’s world record for Rolling Thunder Pull-ups. Ms. Pagani is 41, a working mother of two children, and has been training since 2000. IronMind® | Courtesy of Aldo Alberico
