Are Pull ups required ?

AsrarHussain

Hi there, I wanted to ask are pull ups required for a big back, I cant do pull ups, I dont have the strength to do them yet, I was thinking of trying them. I wanted to ask are they really required or can I just do rows and lat pulldowns.

shadow2soul

I don't know if they are required, not my area of expertise. However, have you considered using the machine that assists with pull-ups/dips and working your way with that to being able to do a pull up?

Packerjohn

People with big backs do pull-ups. As suggested, use an assist machine and/or an assist band. You can get there.

allison4224

Pull ups are required for urinary incontinence. (sorry - couldn't help myself.) And, if people with big backs do pull ups, do people with small backs do diapers? (sorry again - feel free to delete)

DavPul

Nothing is "required".

Big guys with big backs rarely rely on pull ups as part of their main routine because the weight to strength ratio makes it difficult to get in the required reps. Doesn't seem to hold them back

cgvet37

When I started lifting again, I could not do one. I worked on heavy rows and pulldowns. I can now do 5-6 strict form pullups. Negatives will help you build the strength, along with other back exercises that I mentioned. Also, do some inverted rows. If you have access to an assisted pullup machine, use it as well. I also lost 27 lbs. which for me made a big difference, as it's less weight I have to pull. I don't believe there is any single exercise that will help you build a wide back like pullups. Lat pulldowns would be my number two choice.

jeepinshawn

Rows and lateral wide grip Pull downs will get you to the point of being able to do pull ups. Don't worry it takes time.

kendahlj

shadow2soul wrote: »

I don't know if they are required, not my area of expertise. However, have you considered using the machine that assists with pull-ups/dips and working your way with that to being able to do a pull up?

This is my favorite machine at the gym.

ninerbuff

Required no. The biggest bodybuilding backs in the world can barely do 4-5 pullsup because of weight (250lbs and up). They do a lot of pulldowns though.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

sunnybeaches105

No exercise is required, but I would work to use them either through bands or an assistance machine. They're easy enough to work into a routine.

Sued0nim

I don't want a big(ger) back but I really, really want to do pull ups ...although recurrent tendonitis is thwarting me

But no, no specific exercises is the only way to get to a goal, there are always alternatives

icemaiden37

If you can't do them, they are a great goal to aim for. Pull-ups are an awesome measure of your strength/weight ratio and anyone who can make them look easy deserves admiration. I worked up to it by doing hanging leg raises, then negatives and chin ups. My pull-ups are not pretty but I'm getting there.

ninerbuff

Alternative way I help clients to do them is on the Smith machine. They sit on the floor, stretch up their arms and do a pullup, albeit with some leg help. As they get better, they use less legs.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

dlm7507

I've set a goal for my 67th birthday (about six months away) to do the PCC Century Workout. I am quite a way from 10 pull-ups (another reason to loose weight), let alone after the other stuff and am using bands for assistance at the moment. Time will tell.

jessef593

They aren't required, but I definitely think they should be a staple. Weighted pull ups are what I've been doing recently to stress my lats even more. I can only do 5-6 strict form pull ups with a 25lb plate. But damn do lats get a good workout

pattyandthemoos

I have just recently worked up to being able to do 2 pull ups. I think I will be able to do 3 soon but not sure how long it will take. I am smaller so that probably makes it easier for me. I work out at home so I don't have access to all the equipment. I have a door mount pull up bar and I ordered an assistance band from amazon for not that much money. I started out doing them with the band. I couldn't actually do one pull up even with the band but I just made an attempt at one unassisted and then made an attempt with the band every time I did my back workout. Plus, it's in my laundry room so whenever I'd go down to the laundry room I'd make an attempt. Eventually I was able to do one. It took me a while. Maybe a few months. If I can do this you can do this. If you just avoid them you'll never be able to do them.

MarkusDarwath

ninerbuff wrote: »

Required no. The biggest bodybuilding backs in the world can barely do 4-5 pullsup because of weight (250lbs and up). They do a lot of pulldowns though.

So, at 264# and not working out, I shouldn't be embarrassed that I can't do one?

ninerbuff

MarkusDarwath wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

Required no. The biggest bodybuilding backs in the world can barely do 4-5 pullsup because of weight (250lbs and up). They do a lot of pulldowns though.

So, at 264# and not working out, I shouldn't be embarrassed that I can't do one?

No. 264lbs is a lot of weight to pull up into the air. Even people with decent muscle would have a hard time pulling down just 200lbs if their legs were anchored.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

richardpkennedy1

MarkusDarwath wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

Required no. The biggest bodybuilding backs in the world can barely do 4-5 pullsup because of weight (250lbs and up). They do a lot of pulldowns though.

So, at 264# and not working out, I shouldn't be embarrassed that I can't do one?

Definitely not embarrassed. I'm pretty fit and weigh 146 and I can only do 1. I'm certainly not embarrassed about it!

BrianSharpe

Do you want a big back or a strong back?

As others have mentioned, you can start with assisted pull ups or do pull downs and work your way up (personally I can only do a couple - unassisted - which is more than I could do a few months ago, you'll get there....)

rybo

Required no, but that should not be an excuse to not worry about working your way to doing several of them. Many big guys can still do a decent amount of pullups.

pdxhak

Is a big back for you meaning wide? Or thick? Lat pulls downs, rows, and bent over side lat pulls will give a wide back without doing pull ups. If you want a thick back then add bent over rows and dead lifts. As for pull ups, you should still do them even if they are assisted. Eventually your back will be strong enough you can do them.

norie92

They're absolutely required. We'll keep you out of the weekly meetings if you don't get your act together, Asrar.

Machka9

A question about these pull-ups ... are they possible if a person has a shoulder with a tendency toward chronic subluxation?

pompeyjosh1990

not required 100%, I never did Pull ups until I built my back up, try T Bar rows and lat pull downs, and really squeezing the back.....work it out for a few sessions then try....Also people tend to forget Back is the biggest muscle so if you leave it to a Friday- my back will be well used within the week so will be more fatigued.....(last session of the week for me) as I have family commitments on weekend...so sat/Sunday is rest day....
Try doing biggest muscle in first couple of days after rest.

EdB9992015

As others have said you can use the assisted machine or the lat pull down for a vertical row if you can’t manage your whole body weight (I’m in the same boat at the moment until I sort my excess pie problem).
For a good back work I find I really need to incorporate both some form of vertical (pull up, lat pull-down etc) as well as horizontal row motions (dumb/bar bell row/ seated cable row etc).

lknjohnson

lmao this made me laugh this morning...

allison4224 wrote: »

Pull ups are required for urinary incontinence. (sorry - couldn't help myself.) And, if people with big backs do pull ups, do people with small backs do diapers? (sorry again - feel free to delete)

Michael190lbs

I do pull ups everyday every workout just love them and they do make your back Jacked!! Rings are great too, rope climbing I use various attachments and once you can hold your legs out vertical you can really zap your core

CindyFooWho

I've been working on pull ups by jumping, catching the bar, and pulling myself up. I can usually manage one more after that from ALMOST a dead stop. My goal is to be able to do a few from a dead stop at bottom, but for now I'm proud of myself. Pretty handy move for when I'm swinging through the jungle and whatnot

Hornsby

In my opinion, yes. But that's cause I love them. Weighted pull-ups are a staple.

AsrarHussain

cgvet37 wrote: »

When I started lifting again, I could not do one. I worked on heavy rows and pulldowns. I can now do 5-6 strict form pullups. Negatives will help you build the strength, along with other back exercises that I mentioned. Also, do some inverted rows. If you have access to an assisted pullup machine, use it as well. I also lost 27 lbs. which for me made a big difference, as it's less weight I have to pull. I don't believe there is any single exercise that will help you build a wide back like pullups. Lat pulldowns would be my number two choice.

I'm cutting at the moment. I do rows and pulldowns, I try to target the back from all angles