What if I can't do pullups?

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Master Don Juan
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Espi said:
Doesn't bodyweight play a factor in determining how many situps a guy can do? I mean, if he's 270 lbs. and out-of-shape, I doubt he could do 5 pullups in a set.

But I do agree that one can increase the number of pulls if he does them frequently. This works for me, and I consider myself in great shape, yet I'm lucky to do more than 15 pullups in one set. I currently weigh 217 lbs.; when I weighed 240, I could do 7-8 pullups, and I was in shape at 240 lbs.

Starting pulls with palms-facing-you is good advice, by the way.

Supersetting pulls with lat pulldowns is an excellent way to increase strength. I don't use the lat pulldown anytime else, though.
Yes bodyweight plays a factor. Functional bodyweight is enforced for bodyweight exercises. That's why gymnasts are usually small. Strength/weight ratio needs to be high, bodyfat low.

If you can do more than 15 pull-ups in one set, you should try to do them weighted, it's will be a greater challenge.
 

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Master Don Juan
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I do wide grip pulls to get my lats. I don't like "chins" because they are too easy and I would rather do curls then chins. So far Im halfway dead at 13. Im gonna try the 5x5 thing and see how my results are.
 
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