Pullups - question

[Mr.Fantastic]

I have started going to the gym, from time to time I try pullups on a bar and i can only do about one. How long might it take before i can do say, 5 with relative ease? Anybody got any workout tips to be able to achieve this? I guess you need strong abs for this aswell? It just annoys me thatI cannot pull myself up. I am 12 stone.

 

[MrS]

3 weeks.
Do pyramids.
If you can do 2 reps, do 1 then 2 then 1 again. That's 4 reps.
When you can't do any, do static holds, hold yourself at midway point, or hang from the bar. Try and do negatives, so you jump up into the pulled-up position then lower yourself as slow as possible.

 

[Mr.Fantastic]

great! Thanks, how often should I do these exercises? Every day? Every other day? Twice a day?

 

[MrS]

If you're on this few repetitions, and working with the holds and the other stuff I mentioned, then anything up to 4-5 days a week really, it's not exactly massive volume.
when you start regressing, it's too much, mate.

 

[JohnnyIrish]

Hey Mr fantastic. Are you new? If so I'd recomend checking out efforts "where to start" and his meal thread. They are both packed with great info that works. I say this as I have used them both (for over 3 months) and learned a lot as well as had nice numbers/muscle gains.

As for the pullups I can relate as I was the same way a few months ago. I still can't do anything massive but I can get out 4 sets of 3 reps now.

It'll come in time. Just stick with it, eat right and you'll get there.

 

[New2Town]

Try to get your body weight behind it as well. It really involves your back into the exercise.

 

[Mr.Positive]

Do pyramids.
If you can do 2 reps, do 1 then 2 then 1 again. That's 4 reps.
When you can't do any, do static holds, hold yourself at midway point, or hang from the bar. Try and do negatives, so you jump up into the pulled-up position then lower yourself as slow as possible.

Pullups are tough, this is a really good tip.

How far apart is your hand placement? The wider you go, the harder they become. So, one idea would be to start about shoulder width apart. As you grow stronger, then start widening the placement.

Pullups are a great exercise, don't get discouraged!!

 

[int3l]

i 'did' 3 x 8. But damnit, after the break i'm doing 3 x 5-6. Just barely at that. Just continue at it ay..

 

[SkillzthatKillz]

A lot of people neglect pull-ups, I don’t know why. It’s the best way to pack on mass in the upper body.

The more you do pull ups the better you will become. Throw in some negatives to give your self that edge, that’s what really helped me.

 

[MrS]

I don't like too wide, it feels odd on my shoulders.

 

[shaunuk]

Two suggestions:

1. Do them reverse grip (underhanded)

2. Use the assisted pullup machine at your gym.

If you do these, you will gradually increase strength; in fact, your entire body will be stronger.

Don't worry about how long it should take you to see increases in reps. I've been doing pullups consistently for over a year, and the most I've done is 17. Look around the gym: how many guys have you seen do more than 10? So don't worry about how many you can do. Just focus on form; DO THEM RIGHT.

Yeap, good advice from the EspMeister

about the rep thing espi said..at some point, there comes a time where adding more reps will become very difficult/impossible, (i.e. Espi's best is 17) so don't keep trying to do endless reps, just add weight to your pullups.

 

[simon]

Slow negatives work great.

 

[Being_the_Don]

I have started going to the gym, from time to time I try pullups on a bar and i can only do about one. How long might it take before i can do say, 5 with relative ease? Anybody got any workout tips to be able to achieve this? I guess you need strong abs for this aswell? It just annoys me thatI cannot pull myself up. I am 12 stone.

Work at your own pace. To start, do underhanded pullups (palms facing you) and keep your palms about shoulder width apart. As you continue to practice you'll get better. I recommend doing pullups every other day.

 

[Being_the_Don]

Yeap, good advice from the EspMeister

about the rep thing espi said..at some point, there comes a time where adding more reps will become very difficult/impossible, (i.e. Espi's best is 17) so don't keep trying to do endless reps, just add weight to your pullups.

When I was doing them regularly I got up to 14 pullups in one set. Once you've become experienced at pullups, it's a good idea to do them palms facing away, also wide grip and even with weights added.

 

[Nelford]

I would say keep doing them. I started out with doing one pullup and I promise myself that I would get to 10, so every workout I started out in front of the pullup bar and did one extra pullup each workout. Now, I can do them for days.

 

[mrRuckus]

Need strong abs?

Are you cheating your way up by swinging?