Doing a pull up

[sapphire_chan]

If you can, tell how you got to that point.

If you can't, join me in getting there!

[Jend1002]

Hi! I am working towards it - I definitely can't do one right now! It is a goal for me, for sure. I recently joined a CrossFit gym and have been doing pull ups there with exercise bands to assist. You know the thick, long bands? I loop one over the bar and then put one foot through it. It gives you extra lift. I am using the thickest band now and hope to build up and work my way down to thinner and thinner bands.

I will join you in this goal!!

Oh, and I just realized you also posted something about a sports bra for crossfit. You should join our newly growing CrossFit post on here as well!

[mommajb]

1. lat pull downs
2. assisted pull ups either with a band or a machine
(though if you are crossfitting that might not be an option you were looking for).
3. lose weight so you are lifting less
totally tongue in cheek, I am not suggesting you are heavy.

[e.naomisandoval]

Originally Posted by mommajb

1. lat pull downs
2. assisted pull ups either with a band or a machine
(though if you are crossfitting that might not be an option you were looking for).
3. lose weight so you are lifting less
totally tongue in cheek, I am not suggesting you are heavy.

Great reply! I am not there yet. I'm down to under 150 lbs and under 20% body fat but I can only do negatives. I start on a stool and jump up, then lower myself with as much control as I can. I do about 5-8 reps. 3 sets or so. Not sure I am improving. I think I can only pull down about 120 lbs so it's a huge discrepancy and I just may never get there. We shall see!

[sapphire_chan]

I've got a pull up bar coming in the mail and will be starting with standing on a chair.

I'm also doing push ups to build my triceps in general.

I'm also about 150, can't pull anywhere close to 120 though.

My dream goal is to do a pull up by the new year, but I will be thrilled just to be able to hold myself up to the bar and and lower slowly. In high school I was never ever ever able to do a flexed arm hang even as all the other girls had no problem with a minute and more.

[e.naomisandoval]

I forgot to mention that there are loads of youtube videos on this. So one thing you can do, for example, is to set a bar low and pull up with your feet resting on the floor. Just a tip I remember from a video I watched. There are loads. I might get straps at some point.

I don't think pushups help too much except with core strength. Both exercises engage the core but I think that's most of what they have in common. Well, a pullup might engage the chest to some degree but not really triceps.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by e.naomisandoval

Well, a pullup might engage the chest to some degree but not really triceps.

Shoulders, back, core. My triceps are just my weakest part (not that I've got super strong biceps, they just get engaged in daily life more regularly (e.g. lifting groceries).

As I'm waiting for the pull up bar to get here, really after it gets here too, I'm doing pull up exercises at the park. Like incline pull ups (lower bar, feet out in front, pull up an angled body with feet staying on the ground) and trying to get up more than an inch in a regular pull up.

[rootzdawta]

Good to have found this thread! My goal is to do one unassisted pull-up by years end.

[ambereva]

Pulldowns
negatives
pullups from 90 degrees
dead hang pullup

Took me about 6 months.

[crunchy_mama]

I cannot currently do them but before I just worked on hanging and negatives, going slower and slower. Then I got pregnant and didn't do any for a long time. Now, I am working my way back there again. The gym I have been going to has the rings to practice doing them from a 90 degree angle.

[sapphire_chan]

Would overhead presses be any help? While I wait for the pull up bar to arrive, that is? And so I don't keep eyeballing the plumbing in the basement?

[ryleigh'smama]

I can do them (my goal is to be able to do 10 in a row, and I can do 8 in a row now). I started with just building strength, dips, lat pull downs, military shoulder presses, you name it I did it. I started with Jillian Michaels book "Making the Cut" actually. When I started I couldn't do a pullup or a dip, when I got done with my second time through I could do 8 dips in a row and 3 pullups. Since then I have done other things, but that really was a good first step for me.

[janasmama]

I can do pull ups and it took me about 8 months of losing weight and building strength. I used bands on a pull up bar and did a lot of reps, moving down in bands and I gained strength and lost weight.

As another idea other than those mentioned above, try handstand holds against a wall. Keep your shoulders engaged and a tight core, glutes, quads. And I do think overhead shoulder presses will help too.

[ParisApril]

I like to do assisted pull ups whenever I take the kids to the park. We have monkey bars and I just keep my toes on the nearby step and let myself hang there than I pull up only taking a small amount of weight on my toes. I have also done this on the kids bunk beds but it is not as effective.