What happens when you challenge one of the best calisthenics endurance athletes in the world to a reps battle? I found out the hard way. I went head to head with Bruno Zgela in dips, pull-ups, and push-ups, and honestly, I wasn't sure I'd survive it.
Who Is Bruno Zgela?
Before I get into the challenge, let me tell you about this guy. Bruno Zgela is a 25-year-old calisthenics athlete from Croatia. He has been training for almost 13 years. His specialty? High volume endurance workouts with pure bodyweight.
His personal best in dips is 420 reps in one set. Let that sink in. 420. Without stopping. His pull-up record is around 130 reps. He recently won a competition here in Sweden against Max True, who is an absolute beast himself.
So yeah, I basically picked the hardest possible opponent for a reps challenge. Smart, right?
The Rules of the Challenge
We kept it simple. Three exercises: dips, pull-ups, and push-ups. We both start on the equipment, dead hang or top position. I do one rep, then he does one rep. We go back and forth. The one who lasts the longest wins.
But here's the twist. Bruno is an elite endurance athlete. Just going rep for rep with bodyweight would not be fair. So I gave him extra weight to even things out. A gift, you could say. He didn't love it.
Round 1: Dips
Dips are my strongest exercise. But they are also Bruno's strongest exercise. His best is 420 reps. So I handed him a 20 kg weight vest. His face said it all.
Here's the thing though. He had never done dips with added weight before. And neither of us had trained dips with a dead stop at the bottom between reps. That changes everything. You lose all momentum. Every rep starts from zero.
The first 20 reps felt manageable. Around rep 30, the burn hit me hard. My shoulders were on fire. I looked over at Bruno and he was still moving like it was a warm-up. That's when I knew I was in trouble.
I pushed past 40 reps. My body was shaking at the top of every rep. I had maybe five left in the tank, and then I was done. Bruno kept going. He won this round, but only by about five reps.
Honestly? I was proud of my 41 reps. Dead stop dips with no added weight, going that long, felt solid. But Bruno is just built different for endurance work.
Score: Bruno 1, Malin 0
Round 2: Pull-Ups
Pull-ups are Bruno's weakest exercise relative to his other lifts. So this time I gave him 10 kg. Not as heavy as the dips, but enough to make it interesting.
My expectations were higher going into this one. The last time I maxed out pull-ups, I hit around 22 reps. With the dead stop, I figured 15 to 20 was realistic.
The first 10 reps went smoothly for both of us. Then the pump started creeping in. My forearms were filling up. My technique got uglier with every rep. Meanwhile Bruno kept the same clean form, same speed, same everything. It was frustrating to watch.
Around rep 15, I heard Bruno mention his grip was slipping. That gave me a second wind. I squeezed out every last rep I had. We both finished around 20 reps.
This round was essentially a draw. We matched each other rep for rep. With 10 kg on his back, Bruno's pull-up performance was seriously impressive. His form stayed clean way longer than mine.
Score: Bruno 1, Malin 1 (draw on pull-ups)
Round 3: Push-Ups
One win each. This was the decider. And for this round, I brought the heaviest gift: 30 kg.
Bruno actually laughed when I told him. He said he wanted 40 kg to make it fair. I loved his confidence. But I also had a feeling he was underestimating what 30 kg would feel like after all those dips and pull-ups.
We started from the top position. The first few reps, Bruno was strong. But by rep 10, I could see the shift. The weight was pressing down on him. His reps slowed. His face changed.
Meanwhile, I was feeling fresh. Well, as fresh as you can feel after 40-plus dips and 20 pull-ups. But compared to Bruno with that vest crushing him into the floor, I felt powerful. Explosive, even.
At 15 reps, Bruno was visibly struggling. I kept pushing. He rested at the top. He ground out ugly reps. I kept my pace. Every time I thought he was done, he found one more. The guy's mental toughness is unreal.
But in the end, I outlasted him. The push-ups were mine.
Final Score: Malin 2, Bruno 1
Key Takeaways From This Challenge
Dead stop reps are humbling. If you always do your reps with momentum, try pausing at the bottom. You will be shocked at how much harder it is. Your rep count will drop significantly.
Added weight changes everything. Bruno can do 420 bodyweight dips. With 20 kg, he did around 45. That's the power of progressive overload working in reverse. Even small amounts of weight create a huge difference at high rep ranges.
Endurance is a skill. Bruno has trained specifically for high volume for 13 years. You can't fake that. His ability to maintain form deep into a set is something I really respect. It's a different kind of strength.
Know your strengths. I went into this knowing dips would be my hardest battle and push-ups would be my best chance. Having that awareness helped me manage my energy and expectations across all three rounds.
Competition brings out your best. I hit 41 dead stop dips. I don't think I could do that in a normal training session. Having someone right next to you, matching you rep for rep, unlocks something extra. That's why I love competing.
How to Train for High Rep Calisthenics
Want to build your own endurance for bodyweight exercises? Here are some tips based on what I've learned.
Start with sub-maximal sets. If your max is 20 pull-ups, do sets of 12 to 15 with short rest. Build volume over time. Don't go to failure every set.
Train the dead stop. Pause at the bottom of every rep for one second. This builds starting strength and eliminates the stretch reflex. It's harder but it makes you stronger.
Add weight gradually. A dip belt or weight vest with even 5 to 10 kg will build the kind of strength that translates directly to higher bodyweight reps.
Don't neglect grip work. In this challenge, grip was a limiting factor for both of us on pull-ups. Dead hangs, towel hangs, and farmer carries all help.
FAQ
Who won the challenge?
I won 2 to 1. Bruno took the dips. Pull-ups were a draw. I won the push-ups. But honestly, with the weight he was carrying, his performance was insane.
How much weight did Bruno use?
He wore 20 kg for dips, 10 kg for pull-ups, and 30 kg for push-ups. He had never trained with added weight before this challenge.
What is a dead stop rep?
A dead stop rep means you pause completely at the bottom of the movement. No bouncing, no momentum. You start each rep from a still position. It's much harder than standard reps.
How many dips can Malin do?
In this challenge I did 41 dead stop dips at bodyweight. My max with normal reps would be higher, but dead stops are a different beast.
Can I try this challenge with a training partner?
Absolutely. Pick three exercises. Go rep for rep. Add weight to the stronger person to even it out. It's a fun way to push each other and test your limits. Just make sure you warm up properly.
