Milind Soman celebrates his ‘first ever set of weighted pull-ups’: ‘For those who want to know…’

Consultant dietitian Garima Goyal, also a fitness trainer, said that such moments stand out as a feat of strength because they exemplify how purposeful training, disciplined progression and consistency converge to create meaningful results.

“Pull-ups are a compound upper body exercise that engage the lats, traps, arms, shoulders, core, and even grip strength. When you add external weight to pullups, you increase the resistance and force the muscles to adapt more intensely, leading to greater hypertrophy, improved neural recruitment, and stronger connective tissues,” explained Goyal.

As Soman’s video illustrates, even at age 58–59, levelling up such a move demonstrates longevity in strength training rather than a short-term effort. According to Goyal, from a training science standpoint, the key factors here include: progressive overload (adding weight when bodyweight pullups become too easy), full range of motion (going from a dead-hang up to chin-over-bar then controlled descent), and recovery (ensuring muscles repair and adapt).

 

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“Soman’s willingness to document a weighted set underlines that he’s not only maintaining but advancing his strength,” Goyal said.

The long-term implications: improved upper body muscular balance, better posture, enhanced functional strength for daily life, and reduced risk of upper body injuries such as rotator-cuff strains, added Goyal.

What’s also important is the mindset behind it.

“For many people, bodyweight exercises become ‘maintenance’ tools; but when you treat them as dynamic strength builders, you reclaim their potential. Soman’s example reminds us that you don’t need fancy machines or extreme gadgets to progress — just purposeful challenge, consistent effort, and proper form,” said Goyal.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.