CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – An University of Iowa alumnus is now an Atlas World Record holder after completing 2,403 muscle-ups within an 18-hour span, breaking the record for the most muscle-ups in a 24-hour period.
Garrett Greiner said the exercise is more than just a physical challenge for him.
“It’s sort of like a hobby for me,” Greiner said.
Eight years in the making
Greiner spent eight years training for the record attempt — and said the path included multiple setbacks.
“I actually tried and failed a couple different times,” he said.
He said the training process itself became a driving force.
“Once you’re training, you sort of just fall in love with the process. It almost becomes addictive and rewarding to just keep pushing yourself,” Greiner said.
Greiner said he built his endurance gradually, starting with single repetitions before increasing his pace over time.
“I could do sets of three for 10 hours, no problem. When I first started, like with anything, I started with sets of one, and then sets of two. Then I saw how long I could do that every minute, on the minute, until I felt comfortable just holding that pace,” he said.
Friends and family carried him through
Greiner said his support system was critical during the final stretch of the record attempt.
“After 1,800 reps, I was just done. The last 600 reps was all because of my loved ones, friends and family, and everybody that was just supporting me,” he said.
Even the physical toll of training, he said, is something he embraces.
“Waking up the next morning, and just not being able to move, even that is enjoyable for me,” Greiner said.
What’s next
Greiner said he plans to break his own record at the state fair, this time raising money for military veteran organizations. He said the rep count will be higher.
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