Discussion
Over the past four years I've done three cycles of P90X and about 3 weeks away from completing P90X3 (very good btw!).
Over this time, my general fitness and strength has improved dramatically and the moves I couldn't even do one rep of at the start, I can now do whilst keeping good form and by an large, to the same level of intensity and reps as those on the video are doing.....with the exception of pull ups.
I do them with the aid of a small stool, using just one leg to take a little of the strain but I use so little of this that I keep thinking I should be able to without but simply cannot lift my body weight off the floor to the required hight.
Any tips or advice would be very welcome.
Over this time, my general fitness and strength has improved dramatically and the moves I couldn't even do one rep of at the start, I can now do whilst keeping good form and by an large, to the same level of intensity and reps as those on the video are doing.....with the exception of pull ups.
I do them with the aid of a small stool, using just one leg to take a little of the strain but I use so little of this that I keep thinking I should be able to without but simply cannot lift my body weight off the floor to the required hight.
Any tips or advice would be very welcome.
just a quick reply, isolate the exercise away from your other program & try them in the negative range of motion, i.e lowering very slowly then use your stall to completely lift yourself to the top with no effort & then repeat the lowering slowly, keep going for 10-15 reps & do about 5 sets, if your diet & sleep is good then your recovery should allow this twice a week.
try it for 4 weeks with no other attempts at pull ups, after the 4 weeks have another go in the normal way.
try it for 4 weeks with no other attempts at pull ups, after the 4 weeks have another go in the normal way.
Speaking of pullups, anyone tried or do, inverted pullups?
Been doing pullups, chins, and weighted variations thereof for years, but have recently started doing inverted pullups to mix it up.
Really enjoying them, and adds an interesting dimension to the movement.
ETA: Like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLSqvKmz_7c
Been doing pullups, chins, and weighted variations thereof for years, but have recently started doing inverted pullups to mix it up.
Really enjoying them, and adds an interesting dimension to the movement.
ETA: Like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLSqvKmz_7c
Edited by TheJimi on Friday 19th September 14:01
TheJimi said:
Speaking of pullups, anyone tried or do, inverted pullups?
Been doing pullups, chins, and weighted variations thereof for years, but have recently started doing inverted pullups to mix it up.
Really enjoying them, and adds an interesting dimension to the movement.
ETA: Like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLSqvKmz_7c
for sure i'd end up landing on my head!Been doing pullups, chins, and weighted variations thereof for years, but have recently started doing inverted pullups to mix it up.
Really enjoying them, and adds an interesting dimension to the movement.
ETA: Like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLSqvKmz_7c
Edited by TheJimi on Friday 19th September 14:01
TheJimi said:
Speaking of pullups, anyone tried or do, inverted pullups?
Been doing pullups, chins, and weighted variations thereof for years, but have recently started doing inverted pullups to mix it up.
Really enjoying them, and adds an interesting dimension to the movement.
ETA: Like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLSqvKmz_7c
Yes, basically upright rows or side rows depending on how your hands are aligned. Done them in gym rings for an interesting balance problem. Been doing pullups, chins, and weighted variations thereof for years, but have recently started doing inverted pullups to mix it up.
Really enjoying them, and adds an interesting dimension to the movement.
ETA: Like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLSqvKmz_7c
Edited by TheJimi on Friday 19th September 14:01

x 7usc said:
Glad to see i'm not the only one, pull ups i just can't seem to crack, everything else I'm improving on constantly.
I'm doing assisted on a cable machine using 30kg, would i be better off doing the negative reps then?
People I've trained at the climbing centre and local gym never used cable machines or lat pull downs. Just did negatives and eventually nailed it. One of my 50 something female friends can crank out 15 pull ups. That's pull ups not chin ups.I'm doing assisted on a cable machine using 30kg, would i be better off doing the negative reps then?
Hoofy said:
x 7usc said:
Glad to see i'm not the only one, pull ups i just can't seem to crack, everything else I'm improving on constantly.
I'm doing assisted on a cable machine using 30kg, would i be better off doing the negative reps then?
People I've trained at the climbing centre and local gym never used cable machines or lat pull downs. Just did negatives and eventually nailed it. One of my 50 something female friends can crank out 15 pull ups. That's pull ups not chin ups.I'm doing assisted on a cable machine using 30kg, would i be better off doing the negative reps then?
To answer the OP, I'd echo the hoofster, in that (imo) the best way to get better at pull ups, is to do pull ups.
Try the negatives as suggested, but equally, don't be shy in using chins, if you can do them - there's still decent carryover to pull ups.
Try neutral grip pulls too, that's a kinda halfway house between chins and pulls.
As for the lat pulldown machine, I'd favor bent over rows or T-bar rows over the lat machine. In fact, dump the lat machine altogether and focus on the above.
That would be my advice anyway
Try the negatives as suggested, but equally, don't be shy in using chins, if you can do them - there's still decent carryover to pull ups.
Try neutral grip pulls too, that's a kinda halfway house between chins and pulls.
As for the lat pulldown machine, I'd favor bent over rows or T-bar rows over the lat machine. In fact, dump the lat machine altogether and focus on the above.
That would be my advice anyway

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