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When doing pull-ups, what should I choose?

AgaBoogaBoo

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Should I go for holding my head above the bar longer or more times of getting my head underneath and above it? Right now, I do a combination of both.

Also, how much of an increase in pull-ups should I shoot for? I started out not being able to do a single one, and now I can do 5 at a time after about a week or so of exercising, although doing five is very hard, more like 4. Should I try to increase the amount every few days by one or should I keep doing a certain amount for a week or so and then increase by two?

This questions are kind of stupid, but I want to get the most out of my exercise.
 
Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Should I go for holding my head above the bar longer or more times of getting my head underneath and above it? Right now, I do a combination of both.

Also, how much of an increase in pull-ups should I shoot for? I started out not being able to do a single one, and now I can do 5 at a time after about a week or so of exercising, although doing five is very hard, more like 4. Should I try to increase the amount every few days by one or should I keep doing a certain amount for a week or so and then increase by two?

This questions are kind of stupid, but I want to get the most out of my exercise.
Click to expand...

When you mean putting your head over the bar and thus chin. When you mean underneath you mean your head is below the bar or that the bar is behind your head and your head is on the other side of it?

Well a pull up when your head is below the bar is not a full pull up. Only full when your chin is at the same level or above the bar. Most people would go along with that.

Shoot for 10 as a good target. 20 if you are less then 180lbs and want big numbers but if your over 200lbs you are going to struggle to hit 20 long arm pull ups with good form.

When doing them make sure your arms go back perfectly straight and not 'half assed' and are bent still. That is not a pull up. It is harder but you will be stronger working through a full range of movement.

Do them every day if you want. They are fine until you get to ridiculous numbers of 35+ daily.

I always aimed for one more each time when I did it. I use to be able to max out at 4 or 5reps. Now I can hit 20. To 10 is pretty easy. 11-15 is not bad still, 16-18 my arms are on fire and the the 19th and 20th very very slow and hard.

Never made it to 21reps 🙁 when I use to do a lot 🙁 Oh well can't have it all.

When you get really good and fast at doing them you can rock climb like a mofo and climb rope like so 😀

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ph.chea/Koing_Rope_Climb.mov

Koing


 
Every other exercise try to increase by one rep. Also try not to practice pull ups more than 3 times per week.

How much do you weigh?
After one week you can do 5 times as many, not bad.
I started out doing only one and 3 months later i can do 5-6 pull ups, mind you i weigh 225-230lbs.
 
Ideally you shouldn't be thinking about getting your chin over the bar, and then just allowing your brain to do whatever it takes to get you up there. Experienced weightlifters will know what I'm talking about. Instead, you should only be thinking about contracting your wings, and your body will rise. This puts more of the emphasis on your wings, which is generally the muscle you are trying to work with pull ups.

So you should be contracting your wings in a slow, controlled manner. It takes practice to get it right and you will know when you're doing it. It feels pretty good to do too. If you aren't as strong you may need someone to spot you by holding the bottom of your rib cage, or pushing you up with your feet (with your knees being bent). Or you could use one of the pulley machines or the assisted pull up machine until you get up to doing your own weight on your own.
 
Originally posted by: Krakerjak
Every other exercise try to increase by one rep. Also try not to practice pull ups more than 3 times per week.

How much do you weigh?
After one week you can do 5 times as many, not bad.
I started out doing only one and 3 months later i can do 5-6 pull ups, mind you i weigh 225-230lbs.
Click to expand...

I weigh about 135, right now I'm 5'2. Why not more than 3 times per week? I have the bar in the doorway to my room so I do like 4 or 5 every few hours. Like 2 or 3 times a day. It makes a huge difference in my arms.
 
Oh yes, by getting my head above the bar, I mean the chin. Koing, when you say "make sure your arms go back perfectly straight and not 'half assed' and are bent still," do you mean that I should bend my arms back and push them behind my back? I'm confused? I do the pull up with my hands the opposite direction and my elbow points down throughout? Is that what you mean?
 
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