Free diver performs record number of pull ups while holding breath beneath the Red Sea

Doing pull ups is hard enough… now try doing them under the sea, while holding your breath.

Free diver Ramy Abdelhamid (Egypt) swam 9 m (29 ft 6 in) down in the Red Sea to earn the record for most pull ups under open water with one breath (male) with an impressive total of 33.

We know what you’re thinking, pull ups would be much easier underwater, right? Wrong.

36-year-old Ramy explained: “A lot of people will think it’s easy because you’re pulling yourself up under water, the buoyancy will help you, which is true, but the challenge was actually pushing myself back down. That was really the challenge because I’m resisting the water and I’m doing this on a single breath at a depth of 9 metres.

“It’s doing pull ups under conditions we’re not normally living in so it’s challenging, it’s kind of dangerous because you are holding your breath, on a full lung and the stretching action that happens when you pull yourself then push yourself back down could jeopardise your safety.”

In Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt on 2 August, last year, Ramy used a guide line to swim down to the pull up bar sitting on the sea bed.

Manoeuvring himself into position, he began doing pull ups, as a team of people kept a close eye on him, not just capturing his attempt on film, but also making sure he wasn’t in any danger.

As an advanced free diver, he wanted to inspire young people to start doing sports.

After completing his pull ups, Ramy turned and reached for the guide line, with the crew following after him.

He said of breaking his record: “It’s a pretty indescribable feeling. I’m one of the people who are in the history [books] now, this is too big for my brain to absorb.”