Pull-up questions

Snap87

Don Juan
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Sup Guys, some questions. Can i do pull-ups and get good results on my lats? If so, do you do pull-ups with overhand or underhand grip? and how far should i spread my hands so it works out my lats? How many reps and sets for it? And how do i do weight pull-ups? do i just put like a bagpack on my back filled with rocks or something?


THANKS!
 

manuva

Master Don Juan
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Yup pullups (heaves) are great for lats.

Pronated grip (overhand) is best, with hands out wide - approx twice as wide as shoulder width.

That being said, variety is great so also using a narrow overhand grip and supinated (underhand) grip will help give a more complete back development.

Remember technique is the priority. 1 heave done well is worth 5 done poorly. Start with arms extended almost fully. They should be as straight as possible without locking them. Pull yourself up as far as you can - try to touch your chest to the bar. Lower yourself down again until arms are in original STRAIGHT starting position. Repeat.

Try to build up to ten of those consecutively. When you can do 2 or 3 sets of ten overhand heaves, you'll be doing well.

To increase weight (outside of a gym), just use your imagination. A backpack with rocks or some plastic bottles filled with water are great. Often people cross their legs and wedge a dumbell between their knees to add weight.

Good luck.
 

silverfox

Don Juan
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I love doing pullups. When I first tried I could barely knock out 3 or 4 but now I can manage about 10 in a set.

As I understand it pullups are done palms away and chinups are done palms facing. I have got into the habit of using a "false grip" for pullups (no thumb.)

If you go on Pavel Tsatsouline's site (dragondoor.com) there are some good pullup articles.

I don't belong to a gym so most of my resistance workouts are low tech like pullups, pushups, hand stand pushups, one leg squats etc.
 

organizedconfusion

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pull ups are awesome, when i really wanted to get my lats
hit hard. i would do 100 EVERYDAY.
do 4 rest do 4 rest do 4,took me about 45 minutes to get a total
of 100- but my entire back was ripped.
now i just strap on 25 lbs. and do 10 sets of 3-5 once a week.
good s*it
i'd wait til you are at lease 18 to even try that though.
it's brutal!
 
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