Building a Pull-Up Empire in Manchester
Join the Pull-Up Revolution in Manchester! Phil Jessé's Pull-Up Club is building a community of endurance athletes. Discover the origin story, the training secrets, and how you can get involved.
Let's be honest, pull-ups can be tough. Ever tried to do one, only to find yourself hanging there like a limp noodle? Yeah, we've all been there. The pull-up, that seemingly simple exercise, can be a real beast to conquer. But what if I told you that anyone, regardless of their current fitness level, could become a pull-up powerhouse?
Hi, I'm Phil Jessé, and I've dedicated the last decade to mastering the art of the pull-up. I've cranked out over half a million of them, including 100,000 in just 151 days! (Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy.) But this isn't about bragging rights. It's about proving that with the right approach, anyone can achieve incredible things. And that's exactly why I created Pull-Up Club...
It's more than just a place to train; it's a community, a movement, a revolution that's changing the way we think about pull-ups. This is my story, the story of how Pull-Up Club came to be – the struggles, the breakthroughs, and the unwavering belief in an idea that refused to die. It's a story about how you can discover the thrill of endurance and redefine your limits.
The Genesis of an Idea 🧠
My love affair with pull-ups began in 2015. It wasn't exactly love at first sight, though. I was bored with traditional strength training, nursing injuries, and feeling disconnected from my workouts. I needed a change, a new challenge.
So, I turned to YouTube, spending hours watching calisthenics videos, mesmerised by the incredible feats of strength and control. The pull-up, in particular, caught my eye. It looked so cool 😎, so effortless...until I actually tried one 😂.
My first pull-up? Let's just say it was...interesting 😂
Yeah, let's just say my first attempt wasn't exactly graceful. My expectations were sky-high, and reality came crashing down. But that humbling experience ignited a fire in me. I was determined to conquer the pull-up, to master this challenging exercise.
Back then, there weren't many resources dedicated to pull-up training. I saw countless people struggling, even with the help of personal trainers. It was frustrating because I knew there had to be a better way.
From Personal Passion to Community Vision
As I delved deeper into the world of calisthenics, I noticed a gap. Few athletes were truly specialising in pull-ups and building the kind of endurance that allowed for hundreds, even thousands, of reps in a single session. There were no structured programs, no supportive communities, and no one emphasizing the mental aspect of pull-up mastery. That's when the seed for Pull-Up Club was planted. I wanted to be that guy, the pull-up guy, the one who could help others achieve their pull-up goals, no matter where they were starting from. I knew I could create something special, a place where people could not only achieve their pull-up goals but also discover a whole new level of strength, confidence, and community.
From Zero to 500K+: Mastering the Pull-Up
That first failed pull-up? It was a wake-up call. I realised that mastering this seemingly simple exercise required more than just brute strength. It demanded dedication, consistency, and a strategic approach.
So I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, transforming myself from a pull-up novice to an endurance machine. It was a grueling odyssey, filled with sweat, frustration, and moments where I teetered on the brink of giving up. But I refused to be defeated.
I persevered. I experimented with different training techniques, analysed my form, and fine-tuned my approach. Through trial and error, I developed a system that focused on building not just strength, but endurance – the ability to perform pull-ups consistently, rep after rep, set after set.
The Reps, Sets, Blocks, and Milestones System
This system, which I call the Reps, Sets, Blocks, and Milestones process, became the foundation of my training. It's a unique approach that emphasizes building a solid foundation, gradually increasing volume, and incorporating mental strategies to push past perceived limitations. It allowed me to scale my pull-up performance to levels I never thought possible. (And yes, it eventually led to those crazy challenges like 100,000 pull-ups in 151 days!)
But it wasn't just about the numbers. This journey taught me the power of discipline, the importance of mental fortitude, and the incredible resilience of the human body. It transformed not just my physical abilities, but my mindset as well. This journey wasn't just about personal achievement; it was about discovering a blueprint for success that I could share with others. It was about proving that anyone, with the right guidance and support, could experience the same transformation. And that's what fueled my vision for Pull-Up Club.
The Power of Community: More Than Just Muscles
As I delved deeper into the world of pull-ups, I realised that it wasn't just about individual effort. It was about connection, support, and shared passion.
That's why I started organising the 500 Pull-Up Challenges. These events weren't just about bringing fitness enthusiasts together; they were also about creating opportunities for personal trainers and coaches. In the crowded fitness space, it can be tough to stand out and connect with clients authentically. Pull-Up Club provides a platform for trainers to engage with a passionate community, share their expertise, and build relationships organically. It's about collaboration, not competition.
We'd gather at different gyms and training facilities around Manchester, pushing our limits together, encouraging each other, and celebrating every rep. It was incredible to witness the energy and camaraderie that emerged from these challenges.
Marriott Worsley 500 Pull-Up Team Challenge 💪
This video captures the spirit of those early challenges. It shows the incredible energy and support that fueled our community. To everyone who joined us at the Marriott Hotel for that first 500 Pull-Up Team Challenge – you know who you are – thank you. You were an integral part of bringing Pull-Up Club to life, and I'll never forget the passion and camaraderie you brought to that event 👊.
Finding Support and Inspiration
These experiences taught me the true power of community. It wasn't just about having people to train with; it was about creating a supportive environment where everyone felt empowered to achieve their goals. It was about fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
And that's what I wanted to create with Pull-Up Club – a community where people could connect, learn, and grow together, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
Pull-Up Club: From Vision to Reality
The idea for Pull-Up Club had been brewing for years, fueled by my passion for pull-ups and a desire to share the power of this incredible exercise with others. In 2024, that vision began to take shape. Early conversations with fitness enthusiasts, trainers, and gym owners confirmed a genuine interest in a dedicated pull-up community.
I'm grateful for the initial collaboration with The Y Club in Manchester, which provided valuable early experience and a platform to host our first 500 Pull-Up Team Challenge.
As Pull-Up Club evolved, I sought to create a unique and focused training environment. This led to an exciting partnership with The Club at Deansgate Square, a luxury residential development by renowned developer Renaker.
Located within the prestigious New Jackson neighborhood, The Club at Deansgate Square offers an unrivaled fitness experience for its residents. This exclusive facility, spanning four iconic skyscrapers and boasting 1,508 spacious apartments, provides the perfect environment to cultivate a thriving Pull-Up Club community. The energy, the dedication, and the shared pursuit of excellence within this space are truly inspiring.
Pull-Up Club at The Club Deansgate square is going from strength to strength.
The Heart of Pull-Up Club: Purpose, Community, and Empowerment
Pull-Up Club is more than just a training program; it's a community built on shared passion, mutual support, and a desire to find purpose through fitness. While the physical challenge of the pull-up is at the core, the true strength of Pull-Up Club lies in its people.
Many people struggle to find consistency and motivation in their fitness journeys. Pull-Up Club offers a solution: a structured, supportive environment where individuals of all levels can connect, learn, and grow together. It's about providing a sense of belonging and empowering each member to achieve their personal best, one pull-up at a time.
My aim is to share the knowledge and experience gained from over 500,000 pull-ups to inspire and motivate others. It's about creating the next generation of pull-up endurance athletes, not through competition, but through collaboration and shared growth.
Inspired by individuals like David Goggins, who demonstrate the incredible power of the human spirit, Pull-Up Club is about pushing limits, both physically and mentally. It's about creating a space where everyone feels supported and encouraged to achieve extraordinary things, within their own capabilities.
The future of Pull-Up Club is rooted in building this supportive community, within Manchester, and creating opportunities for its members to challenge themselves, connect with others, and find a deeper sense of purpose through fitness.
Join the Pull-Up Revolution!
Creating Pull-Up Club has been a rewarding experience. It's been a journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and countless lessons learned. It's a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the unwavering belief in an idea. Let's raise the bar together.
This is just the beginning. Pull-Up Club is more than just a gym; it's a community, a movement, a revolution that's changing the way we think about pull-ups. It's a place where passion ignites, limits are shattered, and lifelong bonds are forged.
