Building Strength for Pull-ups?

[SurfinAmy]

Hey, anyone have any good ideas/exercises I can do with the pull up bar to build strength? REALLY want to be able to do one (and then more! : ) thats my goal. Right now my sis & I are just jumping up there and hanging from the bar as long as possible, any other suggestions?
Anyone else do these?
Midget, did you say you did pullups (I thought I remembered you saying you could do them?)
Thx for any input
-Amy

[cursor]

By doing lat pull-downs you can vary (gradually increase) the weight that your lats are exposed to. Making sure that your elbows out and away from your body while pulling will focus the load at your lats.

[arbit]

1:Static hangs - where u hang on to the bar with elbows bent(the top position of the pullup).
2: Asstd pullups/chins: u'r sister assists u by supporting some of u'r weight by holding/pushing on to u'r bent legs at the knees.

[SurfinAmy]

Thanks for tips guys, I don't think I have really focused on elbow position on the lat pull-downs so can try that.. The Static Hangs I guess describes what we're doing now, but we could maybe try those assisted pullups, that sounds good. Thx
-Amy

[midgetcop]

Yeah, I can do pullups (I call them chin-ups...is that a Canadian thing??).

I don't know how great my advice would be for getting there, but I'll tell you what I can. I did a lot of my training on the Gravitron at my local gym...so I was able to do assisted chinups for a long time.

On top of that I bought a bar that I put in my bedroom doorway, so that I would always be swinging off of it and making attempts at doing 1 chinup. Lo and behold one day I did one, and from there I just kept trying day after day until I'm was up to my current max of 10.

It's not much of a regimented workout schedule, but that's my story. Buy that chinup bar and work on those biceps and lats, and you'll get there. :

[SurfinAmy]

Originally Posted by midgetcop

I did a lot of my training on the Gravitron at my local gym...so I was able to do assisted chinups for a long time.

On top of that I bought a bar that I put in my bedroom doorway, so that I would always be swinging off of it and making attempts at doing 1 chinup. Lo and behold one day I did one, and from there I just kept trying day after day until I'm was up to my current max of 10.

Midget, the Gravitron is that machine you sit on w/ bent knees and pull yourself up on right? I tried that a few times @ the gym. We do have a bar installed now and will be working on it.
That is awesome that you can do 10 (!!!!!!!!!!!) :
Thx
-Amy

[abarlament]

Midget, I've always made the distinction that pull ups have your palms facing away from you, and chin ups have your palms facing you (pronation and supination, respecticly).

[SurfinAmy]

Originally Posted by abarlament

chin ups have your palms facing you (pronation and supination, respecticly).

well then I managed to do a chin up but only one per set, midget, that is encouraging you can do 10, my goal is 5 for now as I don't have the strength developed yet I guess.
It seems like it will take forever too, it can be discouraging when you get one but there is no chance in hell you're (read "I'm") gonna get 2 on the same set
But I guess it CAN be done.....

Somewhere...over the rainbow....
Chins raise high.......
People revel in chinups
Why then, oh why, can't I......

Someday I'll wish upon a star
and wake up where that bar
is far behind me.......


-Amy

[midgetcop]

Originally Posted by SurfinAmy

well then I managed to do a chin up but only one per set, midget, that is encouraging you can do 10, my goal is 5 for now as I don't have the strength developed yet I guess.
It seems like it will take forever too, it can be discouraging when you get one but there is no chance in hell you're (read "I'm") gonna get 2 on the same set
But I guess it CAN be done.....

Somewhere...over the rainbow....
Chins raise high.......
People revel in chinups
Why then, oh why, can't I......

Someday I'll wish upon a star
and wake up where that bar
is far behind me.......


-Amy

Awesome work Amy! They'll come fast as long as you keep working at it. :

[Todd]

I think the Gravitron is an awesome tool for assisted pull-ups...they definitely helped me out before I could do sets on my own.

[MrsRiley]

I used to be able to do 4/set back in the day (I can only do 1 now since I've been outta practice)...I just kept trying and trying to do um and every few weeks I'd actually accomplish one more...slow and steady you'll get it!!

[TacyTeresa]

I read an article by a woman lifter who said that to get herself into "pull-up" shape, she started doing "negative" pull ups. She'd get into the "up" position and let herself down slowly; then do it again and again. She said that eventually she could do them on her own. She also mentioned Lat pull as important but gave most of the credit to the aforementioned exercise.

[midgetcop]

Originally Posted by TacyTeresa

I read an article by a woman lifter who said that to get herself into "pull-up" shape, she started doing "negative" pull ups. She'd get into the "up" position and let herself down slowly; then do it again and again. She said that eventually she could do them on her own. She also mentioned Lat pull as important but gave most of the credit to the aforementioned exercise.

Those are definitely a must. :

Lat pulldown's are also a must, and if anyone has access to a Gravitron machine I highly recommend it.

[Only13]

I have a machine like the gravitron at my gym. It does the same stuff but its called something else