I Tried Typemaxxing

Summary

The video follows the narrator’s seven-day attempt to improve his typing speed before a rematch with his friend Zikaya. The narrator averaged about 75 words per minute (WPM), while Zikaya regularly exceeded 100 WPM. They wagered that the loser would buy the winner a keyboard, and the narrator tested seven approaches while tracking his progress.

Training methods and results

1. Correct finger placement and technique

   • The narrator realized he relied on a few fingers and rarely used his ring fingers or pinkies.
   • He began practicing standard touch-typing finger placement, including repeatedly typing unfamiliar letters and combinations.
   • His speed initially fell sharply as he replaced long-established muscle memory: his average dropped to 55.2 WPM on day one.
   • Over time, the improved technique helped. He rated it S tier, emphasizing that fundamentals can be worth fixing even when performance initially gets worse.

2. Accuracy practice with TypeRacer’s “instant death” mode

   • In this mode, one mistake ends the race, forcing the typist to prioritize accuracy.
   • The narrator found it difficult at first, especially while adapting to the new finger technique, but felt it helped him type more carefully and maintain his flow.
   • His average rose to about 72 WPM by the end of day two. He rated accuracy training A tier.

3. Typing games

   • He tried several typing games, hoping that making practice enjoyable would encourage him to spend more time typing.
   • The games made the day fun, and his average passed 80 WPM. He also briefly exceeded 100 WPM in a race.
   • However, he judged the games less useful than other methods for directly improving competitive typing speed and placed them in D tier.

4. Advice and coaching from Mythical Rocket

   • The narrator interviewed Mythical Rocket, whom he described as a world-record typist. Rocket said he had practiced consistently, often for about an hour a day when he was younger.
   • His main advice was to switch to nine- or ten-finger typing and practice regularly on typing sites.
   • During a short practice session, Rocket suggested using Ctrl + Backspace to delete an entire word after a mistake rather than correcting it one character at a time.
   • The narrator rated the expert session S tier. He continued practicing afterward, reaching an average of about 84 WPM by day four.

5. Practicing common letter sequences

   • Rather than processing every letter separately, the narrator practiced common letter combinations so they could become familiar, quicker movements.
   • He also used these exercises to target weak areas.
   • After practicing sequences and then racing, his average passed 90 WPM for the first time. He rated this method A tier.

6. Reading ahead while typing

   • The narrator used a tool that gradually hid words in front of the cursor, requiring him to read ahead and hold upcoming text in memory.
   • The exercise was difficult and demanded concentration, but it specifically trained the anticipation and flow he wanted for races.
   • He set a personal best of about 106 WPM in a race, and his average rose to roughly 93 WPM.

7. Reward and punishment (“reinforcement therapy”)

   • On day seven, he took ten typing tests with a 90-WPM target. Scores above the threshold earned candy, while lower scores triggered a shock collar worn on his wrist.
   • The pressure made him anxious, but he believed it discouraged him from typing slowly. He later recorded a personal best of 115 WPM.
   • Despite the apparent short-term effect, he rated the unpleasant method D tier.

Main lessons

• Fix fundamentals, even if performance dips at first. A better technique may initially feel slower because it disrupts familiar habits.
• Prioritize accuracy as well as speed. Mistakes interrupt concentration and cost time, especially in races.
• Practice deliberately, not just frequently. The narrator had typed for years without much improvement, but focused practice over one week raised his average by nearly 20 WPM from its initial level.
• Target specific weaknesses. Practicing troublesome letters and common letter sequences can be more useful than simply repeating full typing tests.
• Enjoyable practice can help with consistency, though games were less effective for the narrator than targeted exercises and regular racing.

Rematch

By the end of the week, the narrator’s average had climbed from about 75 WPM to above 90 WPM, after first dropping to 55.2 WPM. He still lost the rematch to the faster Zikaya and honored the wager by agreeing to buy him a keyboard.

Speakers and sources featured

• Luke (the narrator): Describes the challenge, demonstrates the training methods, interviews Rocket, and competes in the final rematch.
• Zikaya (also transcribed as “Zekia” or similar): The narrator’s friend and typing-race opponent.
• Mythical Rocket: Competitive typist interviewed about training and typing technique.
• An unnamed friend: Administers the shock-collar punishment during the reinforcement exercise.
• TryHackMe: Sponsor featured in a cybersecurity demonstration segment.
• Typing platforms and tools mentioned: TypeRacer, Monkeytype, and various typing games and practice tools.