Trying to do a chin up...

4ever420

So the last month or so I've been trying to work on doing a full chin up but can only make it about 1/3 of the way up. Any hints and tips would be appreciated.

SweatLikeDog

http://www.startbodyweight.com/p/pull-up-progression.html

JeffseekingV

A buddy of mine couldn't do a pull up. I had him doing pull downs and assisted chin ups (machine) and 3-4 months later, he can do 10 pull ups. It's just a matter of practice and doing the work.

4ever420

Thank you

4ever420

JeffseekingV wrote: »

A buddy of mine couldn't do a pull up. I had him doing pull downs and assisted chin ups (machine) and 3-4 months later, he can do 10 pull ups. It's just a matter of practice and doing the work.

The thing is, I don't have access to any machines, just the bar

rybo

Do negatives. Jump or step up, then let yourself down slow as you can. Which probably won't be too slow when you start.

4ever420

rybo wrote: »

Do negatives. Jump or step up, then let yourself down slow as you can. Which probably won't be too slow when you start.

Thanks, I'll try that.

3laine75

'Grease the groove'.....I tried for ages, didn't manage it till I got a pull-up bar for the house. I have it at the kitchen and my rule was to try one every time I went in there =D got the first one within a week. (I can do 4 now)

Serah87

Took me long time before I can even do one, I can do 12 now.

ukaryote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRznU6pzez0

This person Scooby is very encouraging. I have been working towards a pull up for months. It will probably take me over a year to get to the first one. If nothing else, the workouts will help your overall fitness. Just mentioning the length of time because it depends on your starting level of fitness and your ability to put on muscle.

Oh, I did not know a youtube link in the forums would bring up the whole vid. Something relatively new in the forums.

VJ106

I use resistance bands to assist in my pull-up until I can strengthen up and do them un-assisted.

jklei169

Try placing a chair under the bar. Stand or kneel on the chair to get you chin above the bar. Use you arms to slowly lower yourself down and your legs to keep.some weight off your arms. Gradually, you will need your legs less and less. Once a week or so try to do a pull up. One day it will just happen.

jesiann2014

Don't give up. I didn't think it would ever be possible for me. I can now, after months (like 6!) of practice do 2. And I am so proud of my 2!!! Same with standard push-ups. Just believed that I was that one person who could never physically do even one. Today I can do 7 reps!

You'll get there too.

daedalus01

Negatives & band assistance + time.

Nolan1009

Negatives, band assisted and flexed arm hangs for time did it for me. Plus consistency- working at it everyday.

4ever420

3laine75 wrote: »

'Grease the groove'.....I tried for ages, didn't manage it till I got a pull-up bar for the house. I have it at the kitchen and my rule was to try one every time I went in there =D got the first one within a week. (I can do 4 now)

A week! That's amazing. I'll be happy if I get there in a year.

4ever420

jesiann2014 wrote: »

Don't give up. I didn't think it would ever be possible for me. I can now, after months (like 6!) of practice do 2. And I am so proud of my 2!!! Same with standard push-ups. Just believed that I was that one person who could never physically do even one. Today I can do 7 reps!

You'll get there too.

Thank you, that gives me hope.

DancingMoosie

I agree with all of the above! I started using a machine, and slowly lowered the assistance. Then, hubby gave me an old pull-up bar. I needed help at first, either a spotter, or a chair. Practice with flexed arm hang(both over- and under-hand grips), negatives, and chair-assisted pull-ups until the day you can do one unassisted. Then, do one rep several times throughout the day. Gradually increase your reps per set.