Goal: Chin up (pull up)

fooninie

I can't do a full one right now. Looking to hear from those of you who started with zero and are now able. It's going to be a "coming of age" of sorts for my fitness accomplishments....lol...

Thanks for sharing!!

kylamaries

This is definitely not me, but I'm willing to bump your post for you! :happy:

crazyvermont

Do you have access to a gym? Many have a "cheater" pull up device where you start standing on patform with balanced weights. You simply eliminate weights until your eventually doing on your own. Couldn't do any on my own just four months ago and now do 4 sets of 25 on my own.

MoRiv1986

Bump. I want to do some for my fitness test.

ChrisLindsay9

Have you tried Inverted Rows (with a supinated grip)? Here's a link to a video/pictures: http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/inverted-row

There's also a version of this where you're not horizontal but rather, you're standing at an angle, which may be a bit easier to start (it's my warm-up to regular pull ups). Picture: http://img.wonderhowto.com/img/05/42/63475363171820/0/do-wide-inverted-pull-ups-with-hold-smith-machine.300x140.jpg

Also, as crazyvermont mentioned, many gyms have assisted pull up/chin up machines.

Confuzzled4ever

I do assisted chin-ups and pull ups. I also use the trax system where I have my body at a 40 degree angle and pull myself up to almost standing.

My goal is to be able to do them .. but i've got quite a bit to go..

On a good note.. I can almost do push ups correctly!!! And I started from 0!

chrisdavey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peKdTXpL6I8

and resistance bands.

then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKnZBJ1DS_c

astrovivi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peKdTXpL6I8

and resistance bands.

then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKnZBJ1DS_c

yep. this.

do lots of negatives.

MinimalistShoeAddict

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peKdTXpL6I8

and resistance bands.

then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKnZBJ1DS_c

I second this!

PikaKnight

That is awesome! I've gone from just hanging on the bar to being able to do 2 sets of 2 Half Chin Ups and 3 sets of 1 Half Pull Ups. Can't wait to do my first full unassisted chin up and pull up.

WTG!

stephv38

bump, gotta check out those youtubes

Mario_Az

watch this video it will help you

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

gmallan

I can do 2 full ones now up from none ever before in my life

This guide is really good and covers most of the variations and exercises that will help learn. Decreasing body weight also helps

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/04/25/do-a-pull-up/

nammer79

Yeah pull ups aren't my thing "yet" but one day when I get closer to my goals and I'm a bit more fit I may just join you in this goal

AnsiStar

I'm ALMOST there!
Still using the assisted pull up and have to add on 10kg but I started with 40kg so I should be able to manage just one soon I hope

jo_marnes

I can do 2 chin ups! lol

Zero pull ups however. I certainly find the underhand grip easier than the overhand. NROLFW uses the negative chin up idea..... and uses lat pulldowns to build up to pull ups

fooninie

Thanks so much for the pointers everyone!! I'm going old school and padded up a beam in my basement. I would like to try to complete a chinup Arnold era style! I can do assisted, I don't count those ones, but I have not tried the angled versions. I'm totally going to check out all the vids posted, excited!!

micheleb15

Good information. I always feel like I look like a fish out of water flopping around trying to get up there.

JustJennie1

I agree with the poster who suggested the assisted pull-up machine. That will definitely help you with being able to do them.

Or you can just keep trying to pull yourself up day by day until you do one.

I used to be able to bang out 10 wide-gripped unassisted pull ups. Not sure what or if I could do that now though.

rassha01

http://scoobysworkshop.com/pullups-for-total-beginners/

I put a bar up in my basement and have went from barely able to do 1 one unassisted to being able to do 3 sets of 5 in about 10 weeks following the plan at scoobys shop. It has always been a goal of mine to be able to do a %$#@load of pull-ups lol!

missmidge84

Bump. Because this is one of my goals

brianyeager

I started out not being able to do one. I never did assisted or cheaters. I just kept working on biceps and doing lat exercises (i.e. dumbbell rows). I tried a chin up every time I worked out until, one day - I got one. It took months. Then, two and so on. Now, I pop those bad boys out up to 15 reps. Just keep working. It feels awesome. I have two friends that have started working out with me. Neither could do one a month ago. Now, they both are at two. Just keep trying.

MercenaryNoetic26

In because I can't do more than two decent chin-ups at a time.

gobonas99

in for the videos/sites to watch/read later (just about everything is blocked at work)

squirrell79

I totally resemble the OP -- a pull up/chin up is one of my goals, too. I'm a few months into being on board the strength training bandwagon, but when it comes to pulling myself up from anywhere, I suck. In fact, I just started trying to do inverted rows, and it was a miserable failure. I could only haul myself up a few inches. I decided to just keep trying to do a few at the end of each strength workout. I assume that if I keep trying, eventually I'll make it.

Good luck OP and to everyone else! Slow and steady wins the race; we'll get there eventually.