Pullups....

[Alphatier]

YES, Pullups!

Some say it's THE exercise for back width, and this frustrates me, because I can NOT(!!) progress on pullups.

I've only been able to do 3 sets of 10,8,6 for like 6 weeks straight, not one rep more. What do you guys do to get the reps up?!

I do them first thing in my back workout.

Anyways, last workout I decided to substitute them with Close-Grip Lat Pulldowns.

My workout looked like this:
6 Sets Lat-Pulldowns (3 Wide-Grip & 3 Close-Grip)
3 Sets Bbell Rows
3 Sets Seated Rows

I thoguht maybe I'd just try to get a stronger back, and then return to doing them when I'm able to do more.

Any comments, suggestions/ideas are appreciated.

- Lean

[eatrainrest]

try using a weighted belt and go for even lower strict reps (4)

[Alphatier]

Alright, thanks for the advice.

[KZRSOIZE]

whats giving out your grip, if so use straps, some of the strongest and biggest guys out there dont do over 20, so your right on track dude, dont try and over do it as long as your doing them right and not swinging, keep at it, good luck

[bag up pr bagpipe]

I was similar when I started wide grip strict chins I couldn't even get ten out 1st set.
Then the guy who owns the gym in his 70's he's old skool!!!
suggested I do 3 sets of ten.
Example if you do 10 on your 1st set thats cool
2nd set you do 8 then give yourself 10-15 secs then get back on the bar and get the 2 out
3rd set you do 6 give yourself 10-15 secs say you only push another 2 out give yourself another 10-15 and go again and again until the 10 is completed.

Worked wonders for me I smash my chins out now weighted

[bag up pr bagpipe]

Tha was the first decent advice I've given out on this site it feels good 2 give something back ha!!!

[Alphatier]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I think I'll alternate weekly between weighted pullups, and rest-pause pullups.

[Darksyde]

6 weeks isnt that long man. keep at it. try starting with pullups and ending with chinups.

[bjpennnn]

ya and focus more on form go all the way down then back up slow.

[dedic8ed1]

Build your strength up with the pull up assist machine,same as dip assist but there is a machine that has pull up handles over head and a knee pad to add weight to assist you.That's how I started and I get a solid slow and controlled 10 reps 3 sets fully extended contraction.

[(1*)]

Build your strength up with the pull up assist machine,same as dip assist but there is a machine that has pull up handles over head and a knee pad to add weight to assist you.That's how I started and I get a solid slow and controlled 10 reps 3 sets fully extended contraction.

he is right. if you don't have one then get a spotter to hold your ankles or knees when you start to fail. you aren't doing bad. also do plams out, palms in, and palms facing each other. mix your grip distance as well. go from the hardest to the easiest.

and wrist straps or grips help as well.

[aldemoro]

which muscle group exerxises pullups?? is it for the back or wings or does it form the body?

[BBronco]

http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_a...e/best_of_back

http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_a...mance/big_lats

both really good articles on pull ups by pros. main thing is to decrease reps increase sets eg 3 sets of 10 becomes 10 sets of 4

[Bulkn]

Arnie recons do as many sets necessary until you hit a total of 50 reps. anyone tried that?

[Juturna]

I was in the Marine Corps for a while and pull-ups really are the easiest calisthenic to improve in over a short period of time. What works best for a lot of people is similar to what Bulkn just said except try to up it and move in a set pattern, for instance;

50 reps;

10, 10, 8, 8, 6, 4, 4.


Also in regards to weighted pull-ups, they WILL help monumentally in the long run however results won't come as quickly.

[Juturna]

Forgot to mention, pyramids work well too;

10, 8, 6, 4, 4, 8, 10

[ezlimitz]

How many guys that are >250lbs can do 10 pullups..?

[Juturna]

Who mentioned being over 250lbs...

[ninesecz]

i always do them first because i consider them a stretching exercise as well and use them to help loosen my back up i also do three sets for as many as i can get

[collar]

try some negatives, jump up and come down extremely slow and strict.
repeat go to failure for every set.

also sometimes have the spotter behind you just leaning into you a little and use him for a little cheat to boost up on those struggling reps.

[InsaneInTheMembrane]

I think people get too carried away with what other people say is the "BEST" exercise for this or that; everybody is built differently; different body frames; anatomical proportions; ligament stucture, list goes on...

I have a wide back and it aint from the chin-ups... all constant chin-up ever gave me were injured forearms. I still do them tme to time to switch things up but it's by no means the mainstay.

normal lat pulldowns, narrow grip lat pulldowns, pronated grip lat pulldowns, one arm pulley lat pulldowns, reverse grip lat pulldown....try everything and focus on what makes your lats feel like they're about to burst; give up chin-ups for a few weeks, do other exercises then come back to it; you'll be surprised at how much stronger you are.

[jbm]

I think people get too carried away with what other people say is the "BEST" exercise for this or that; everybody is built differently; different body frames; anatomical proportions; ligament stucture, list goes on...

I have a wide back and it aint from the chin-ups... all constant chin-up ever gave me were injured forearms. I still do them tme to time to switch things up but it's by no means the mainstay.

normal lat pulldowns, narrow grip lat pulldowns, pronated grip lat pulldowns, one arm pulley lat pulldowns, reverse grip lat pulldown....try everything and focus on what makes your lats feel like they're about to burst; give up chin-ups for a few weeks, do other exercises then come back to it; you'll be surprised at how much stronger you are.

agreed!

[guardian72]

I start every back workout with pullups.
I believe exercises that make you move the body through space are the most effective.
I believe in the Arnold principle of no less than 50.
I weigh 256# and I do use straps.
I use a grip that is as wide as is comfortable (well outside the shoulders), when I feel really strong, I 'll do an almost all pulllup workout: wide grip for 50, palms facing for 4 sets to failure, underhand for 4 sets to failure, v-bar for 4 sets to failure, and finsh it all off with DB rows or Hammer Strength Iso rows for 4 sets to failure.
I stretch for 45-60 seconds after each exercis and after the workout**** An overlooked and essential component to back width.

[bag up pr bagpipe]

Who mentioned being over 250lbs...

I can do ten weighted pullups