An Attempt at Poetry: Achieving the Bodyweight Pullup

One of the best parts of our job is helping our clientele reach a new milestone (be it a particular weight lifted, weight loss/gain goal, etc.). An achievement that definitely ranks toward the top of the list is doing a full-range, bodyweight pullup for the first time. I was perusing the archives of the old SAPT website and I stumbled across a poem Chris had written a couple years ago. He became inspired by one of the SAPT girls hitting her first pullup that he busted out a poem that day. It was too good not to share. Little did you all know you trained under the watchful eye of a modern-day Robert Frost...

"My performance coach said to me as I entered SAPT;

“Miss, can you do a pull-up;”

“HAHA, ya rite, NO,” says me.

He asks me “why;”

I tell him that;

“Pull-ups are impossible; why even try.”

That’s gonna’ change he says with a smirk;

You will do pull-up;

Are you afraid of hard-work?

When “hell freezes over I say in my head;”

It’s been 7 years of gym class and still no luck;

Each test I fail; I should just put this one to bed.

“HAHA,” he laughs “The funny thing about pull-ups,

You’ve got to work at’um for weeks;

Pull for every inch until your head erupts.

He says, “I’ll help you map the way;

Are you onboard?”

Aye Captain; I’ll have my day!

Weeks went by, and work we did;

We ran the gambit;

Partials; ISO’s, Ecc’s; Assisted.

Most of time I just wanted to cry;

“Press he on,” he said; “A quitting attitude won’t cut it;

It simply won’t fly.”

So I fought tooth and nail, through the arm numbing burn;

Pull-ups I will own you;

This I will earn.

Finally, the day came, it was time to test;

“I’m nervous,” I said;

“Don’t be,” he said, “just try your best.”

So I chalked-up my hands, and pulled with all my might;

My chin….CLEARED THE BAR;

OH, WHAT A FIGHT!”

I triumphantly dropped from the bar;

Pull-ups, I defeated;

Coach said, “You should be proud, you’ve come so far.”

It wasn’t the pull-up that meant so much;

It was what I had learned;

All the planning, fighting, and such.

This I will remember for the rest of my time;

Nothing is owed to me; plan, fight, execute, then fight some more;

Extract from for this rhyme.

Failing to do the above only will mar;

Anything worth doing in life;

Lift your chin above the bar.

-Coach Romo"

It's all about appreciating the little things....

Have a great weekend!