Islander attempts world record for chin-ups this weekend in support of good cause

When David Brush first set the world record for the most chin-ups recorded in a 24-hour period in 2022 with 6,757, shattering the previous record of 5,340, he technically only held the record for five hours.

Another athlete had shattered David’s record by passing over 7,000 chin-ups, finishing their 24-hour challenge just a few hours after David had. “He was on my livestream, watching the whole thing,” he said. “So he knew what number he needed to beat. But all the credit in the world to him, because it’s an extraordinary feat and an extraordinary challenge.”

(David was the Reporter’s intern during the summer of 2023 and won a prize from the New York Press Association — taking third place in for feature writing.) 

It’s not like anyone can just go out and set the record. It requires months of training, extreme endurance and strength, as well as an array of logistical complications such as witnesses, cameras, timers, counters and other requirements to make the record official. Nevertheless, David was awarded the record for over a week on the Guinness World Records website and given his official title, but something never sat right with him. 

“There’s been this nagging thought in the back of my mind: ‘What if I could have done more?’” David said.

He’s set to find out, attempting the challenge for the first time since 2022 this Saturday, Aug. 29, from noon until noon Sunday. The new number he hopes to hit is 7,480.

When David’s grandfather passed away after battling Parkinson’s disease, David sought to bring awareness to the disease and fundraise for it. He selected the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and set out to run a marathon to help the cause. “A month into training, I got a stress fracture. I was like, ‘Oh shoot, I can’t do that anymore,’” David said. So how did he land on the world record for chin-ups? “I was on YouTube and saw someone breaking this chin-up record. The guy before me, Idai Makaya, hit 5,340 reps,” he said. “I did the math on it. I was like, ‘That’s four or five reps a minute, roughly. I’m pretty good at chin-ups. I don’t weigh a whole lot.’”

So his plan was in motion, and just six months later, he would attempt the record for the first time. He eventually surpassed the previous mark of 5,340 with 6,757 chin-ups in 24 hours.

“Most people go out really hard to try to build up an early bank of reps, with the logic that if they crash later, they’re already well on their way to the record.” Instead, he deliberately paced himself throughout the entire 24-hour period. And it worked. Even though he technically had the record for just five hours, he had far surpassed the previous record and brought awareness and funds to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. 

“I always told myself after the first attempt that I would never do it again,” he said. “I felt horrible afterward. It was a super risky undertaking.” It took months to get back to full health. “I got sick of chin-ups. I just focused on college and schooling after that.”

David said a difficult period after graduating college in 2024 eventually brought him back to the exercise that had once consumed his life. “The way I coped with that was I would go back to my roots and start doing chin-ups. I could clear my head really well,” he said.

And since then, he’s continued to do chin-ups. 

If you have a crazy idea of spending 24 hours doing thousands of chin-ups, how do you prepare? “Practice,” David said. He estimates he’s surpassed 100,000 chin-ups during his training in eight months, slowly increasing his load each week. “I probably started out at around 2,000 reps a week, and I built up to 10,000,” he said.

Aside from the physical exertion, nutrition and hand protection will play a critical role next Saturday. “I’m going to do mostly carbs,” he said. “It’s a Rice Krispies Treat feast for 24 hours.”

As for the hand protection, it’s more intuitive than just slapping on a pair of gloves. “You can’t have too many pairs of gloves on because then your hands get hot and sweaty and you get blisters. If you don’t have enough gloves on, that’s also a problem because all the skin just rubs off,” he said. He plans to use foam hand pads and tape, with gloves available if his hands begin deteriorating. And one more piece of gear will play a crucial role: his T-shirt. David met this reporter wearing the teal-colored shirt he wore when he broke the record last time. Superstition will require him to wear the shirt again.

David said that without paying for an official Guinness judge to attend in person, the record requires extensive documentation. Two approved witnesses must be present throughout the entire attempt. “One has to be non-athletic, and one has to be someone with an athletic background, either a personal trainer, coach or a physical therapist,” he said. “They basically work in four-hour shifts, so it requires an immense amount of volunteer help.” Video documentation is also required. “I have to have two camera angles at all times.”

Every repetition and set must also be documented. “Somebody has to be pressing a button to count my reps. I have to have timers visible and a counter visible at all times,” he explained. Afterward, everything is sent to Guinness for review. 

Despite the challenge ahead, his confidence comes from knowing how far he’s willing to push himself. “I always tell people when they ask me that question, I’ll collapse before I quit. That’s what I know about myself.” 

Still, the nerves have not disappeared entirely, he said adding,“I’m confident, but I’m also terrified if I think about it too hard.”

Above all, the reason behind the challenge remains at the forefront. His priority, he added, is to inspire people, and hope they see how much the mission means to him and they will be inclined to donate.

His GoFundMe is already live and can be found at gofundme.com/f/24hr-chinup-record-xrj95, with all donations going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. 

As of the beginning of this week, David had already reached 80% of his fundraising goal of $7,400 — a nod to the record attempt — but donations will continue to be accepted throughout the record attempt.

Those looking to support him can make a donation, watch the livestream of the challenge on David’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@davidDavid8724, or visit him in person. Spectators are welcome anytime at his residence during the challenge from noon Saturday to noon Sunday at 20 Hilo Drive.